By Kunle Adewunmi
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has commended Province 40 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God for the construction of a block of classrooms and donating same to Omole Junior Grammar School.
Ambode gave the commendation while commissioning the project on Tuesday September 25. The project was put together by the Solid Rock Parish, Lagos Province 40 of Region 19.
Ambode who was represented at the event by the Tutor General/Permanent Secretary Education District VI, Mrs. O.O Onadipe said while unveiling the plaque of the block of classrooms that the church had acted in the right direction while also calling on other organisations to emulate the church’s gesture.
“This is a laudable project. We always encourage people and organisations to come on board and assist government in providing meaningful infrastructure since we cannot do it alone. There is no government that can do it alone but with God and with people like you, we can move forward. We need people like you to help the government” he said.
In her personal capacity, Onadipe noted that the Children’s anthem during the event captured the need of the school and indeed schools in Lagos State. “In their District Anthem they sang that they want to learn in a conducive environment. This block of classrooms is what depicts a conducive environment and we thank Solid Rock Parish for the project and pray that as you have taken care of innocent children that you don’t know, God will take care of your children also”
The Principal of Ojodu Junior Secondary School Mr. Akinwande could not hide his joy concerning the new block of classrooms which has been well equipped with teaching aids and toilet facilities. “It is fantastic that we have what we desire. This facility is going to enhance learning among the students as well as boost the morale of staff while teaching” he submitted.
He also called on other organizations to kindly collaborate with the government in order to make the environment more conducive for learning.
Pastor-in Charge of Region 19 and Special Assistant to the G.O on Missions, Pastor Brown Oyitso expressed delight as regards the laudable and very costly initiative carried out by the Province, under the leadership of Pastor Bola Odutola.
Oyitso who commended the Pastor, his wife and other persons who had contributed greatly to the success of the project prayerfully, financially and professionally, affirmed that the project was a furtherance of the mandate given by the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye who had instructed all RCCG parishes to partner with the government, assist the poor, go out and feed the nation and meet the needs of the economically marginalized. He said the General Overseer of the Church, Pastor Enoch Adeboye had affirmed that the government cannot meet the needs of people alone irrespective of the social contract between the government and the people.
The Pastor in Charge, Lagos Province 40 (Solid Rock), Pastor Bola Odutola in his speech said the church strongly believes that education is a life-long pursuit and that, modern facilities do not only include the school physical outlook but also the learning culture hence, the need to collaborate with the government in achieving excellence in the country’s education sector.
He expressed hope that the efforts of the Church will help to eliminate health and safety threats posed by the over-crowded classrooms, create stimulating learning environment, encourage students to come to school, help bridge the gap in learning environment between the public and private schools.
While noting that the standards in many school does not look like what it used to be, he challenged other organisations to support the government in upgrading the standards of public schools.
Odutola went on to recognise the efforts of the immediate Past Principal of Omole Junior Grammar School, Mrs. M.O. Odimayo who had influenced the citing of the project in the school. “We must really thank God for the persistent pressures mounted upon Pastor Adeyinka and myself to come over to the school and stage a project after the conclusion of the project we delivered to Ojodu Primary school. He also saluted the Principal Architect, Eden Group; Sis Titi Adeleye who has been offering free services first at the primary school and now for this newly commissioned project. He thanked Pastor Oyitso for his unwavering support for the project.
Pastor Oyitso handed keys of the building over to the representative of the Lagos State Government stating that the building was to the glory of God and benefit of humanity.
In later interview with our correspondent He disclosed that the region has been involved in several projects towards the betterment of the society amongst which are: Streetlight project to aid night traffic, financing and refurbishment of schools, Police Stations, drainage project for communities, donation of equipment to hospitals like LUTH, General Hospital, Gbagada.
He added, “God has helped us to build a Medical Center in Magboro where we have Doctors and Nurses on the payroll of our Region. Schools have been built in Agidingbi, here at Ojodu and as the Lord direct us, we would build elsewhere”.
Dignitaries at the official handover ceremony include Pastor Tony Agha, Assistant Pastor in Charge of Province (CSR); Pastor Rotimi Adegborioye, Assistant Pastor in Charge of Province (Admin); Pastor Akin Onimole (Chairman, Board of Zonal Pastors) and some provincial Pastors from other Provinces.
Also in attendance at the event were Mr. Olukoya, Director Schools and Administration; Mrs. Adepoju, 1st Vice President, Lagos State ANCOPPS and other dignitaries from the Education District VI and the Omole community.
