Okemagba School@50: Old Students Seek Change Of Name, Lament On Dilapidated Building

By LOVETH AZODO, Lagos

In a bid to honour the founder of Okemagba High School, late Chief Oloruntele Rabiu Olukoya, the President of Okemagba Old Student Association, Alhaji Ajibona Lateef Kolawole has solicited for the change of the name of school to Chief Tele Olukoya Memorial High School.

This is just as the members of the Association lament on the poor state of the school building, roads and infrastructures in the school.

Kolawole made this request at the 50 year Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the school in Lagos, title: Establishing Legacies Through the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of our Alma Mater.

The School which is located at Majoda, Eredo, Epe, Lagos State had it’s root in the burning ambition of the founder, whose aim was to curb the mass migration of Secondary school age students from Epe to the Larger Towns.

Speaking at the event, The Hon. Commissioner For Education, Lagos State, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo who was represented by Abiodun Mosuloya, a daughter of the community urged the Alumni to ensure the urgent adequate renovation of the school she also commended them for organizing the event and thrir work so far.

“Free Education means we will all work together to give the children a bright future” she said.

Executive Chairman, Eredo Local Government, Hon. Saliu Adeniyi Rasaq commended the members of the association stating that “it is expected for the people that gas enjoyed the benefits of a system to give back at some point.”

Adeniyi noted that there is a serious gap in development of Epe as compared to other Local Governments in Lagos “there are no serious efforts towards developing this area, yes this is a rural area but we need attention as well, there are no motorable roads, we are talking to people in authority, we urged the people that has pass through here to look back and also give back to Epe as a whole,” he said.

One of the Discussants, Proprietor of Vanguard Academy, Dr. Zafaran stated that the first element if education is the Teachers, he urged that the Lagos State government should increase the salary of teachers and invest more in their trainings, Build good infrastructures for the children ” children that learn in this kind of environment will be affected in all areas, our class rooms must be put to standard,” he laments.

Delivering his paper title “The Youth and Comtemplary Educational Challenges,” Rev. Fr. Julius Olanitan stated that the take over of schools by the government is the worst decision that has ever been made in the educational sector stressing that the school was in better condition during the time of the founder.

“There is nothing like free education, it is just another way the government deceives us, it should be called government sponsored school instead,” he said.