Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, on Tuesday performed the commissioning ceremony of the Anthony Udofia Government Elementary School in Osogbo.
Former Military Governor of the state, Navy Captain Anthony Udofia (rtd), whose name the school bears, was in town to witness the unveiling ceremony.
Speaking at the occasion, Aregbesola commended civil servants for not taking the bait and falling prey to what he called the infernal political schemes of failed politicians whom the people of this state have consistently rejected at the polls.
Aregbesola stated that elementary school is the basic of the basic education; hence, any child with a good elementary school foundation will have no problem making progress educationally.
The newly commissioned complex has the capacity to seat 960 pupils with 24 classrooms of 40 pupils each, an ICT room, a library, multi-purpose hall, 29 toilets, offices for headmaster, facility manager, staff room, food court, sick bay, security/reception office and a water fountain for aesthetics.
Aregbesola held that his administration is building 100 elementary schools like the newly commissioned school across the state, saying the project may look ambitious, but it will make elementary public school available in every neighbourhood.
The governor, who was filled with joy, added that his administration has been able to build across the state public schools that can compete with the best in the world.
He stressed that the commissioning of schools and other infrastructure are in fulfilment of government’s promise to provide functional basic education for the pupils in the state.
Aregbesola said, “I am happy and fulfilled that we have public schools that can compete with the best in the world and indeed, our new schools are the ones to beat around here.
“All these are in fulfilment of our promise to provide functional basic education for the pupils in the state. This stems from our conviction that every child is owed basic education. It is a fundamental and inalienable right of every child.
“Basic education is basic, pardon my tautology. A good basic education fulfils the definition of literacy as the ability to read and write and is a solid foundation on which other superstructure of vocational training or higher education can be built upon”.
Aregbesola described as ignorant and unreasonable the idea of reducing government to paying salaries alone.
The governor also pointed out that it is financially challenging for his administration in fulfilling her commitment to complete these school projects and other obligations citing the present economic challenges facing the country.
“As at Friday January 8, the new OPEC Reference of 13 Crude Basket which includes Nigeria’s Bonny Light sold for $28.46. This is a new low for the cascading price of crude oil, the lifeline of the nation’s economy, which hit a dazzling height of $140 in 2013.
“It is a crude awakening to the grim fact that any hope of allocation from the Federation Accounts is gone. We must therefore face the twin realities of first living within our means and making our own money. We must be engaged in productive activities that will lead to job creation, wealth creation and generous taxation to the government.
“Our people must work hard and double their productivity. We must all be engaged in one productive activity or the other. The youths, especially fresh graduates and school leavers, must find something to do, especially in agriculture,” he said.
In his remarks, Udofia commended Aregbesola for his love for the upliftment of education in the state.
Udofia noted that education must not be left in the hands of private investors only, saying government schools if well taken care of can compete favourably with any private school in the country.
He added that all hands must be on deck to ensure that children are educated for them to be useful to the state and the country at large.
According to him, “When I first received the call that I am wanted in Osun, I was shocked because immediately the caller called the network went bad, I tried putting a call back but I couldn’t get through. I was shocked to hear that I am wanted in Osun considering the mood of the nation on anti-corruption.
“I am happy to be here, I am impressed with the standard of the school built, I commend the governor, he is seriously in love with education, I have heard about your doings in the state, keep up with the good work.
“I want to also state here that I will forever be grateful to Chief Obafemi Awolowo, because I benefited from his free education. Any governor in the Western region states that does not believe or take education seriously has a lot of problems at hand. If you don’t educate children, they will not be useful to you,” The former Military administrator stated.
Dignitaries at the commissioning ceremony include former Governor of the state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titilayo Laoye-Tomori; Osun Deputy Speaker, Hon, Akintunde Adegboye; Secretary to the Government of Osun, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, and the Chief of Staff to Governor Aregbesola, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola.
Others are Chief Judge of Osun, Mrs. Adepele Ojo; former Chief of Staff to Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Elder Peter Babalola; Chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Osun, Prince Gboyega Famodun, and Juju music maestro, King Sunny Ade, amongst other dignitaries.
