A block of three dilapidated classrooms at Islamic Mission Primary School, Moniya, Ibadan, Oyo State, has received a major facelift, following an intervention by the New Jersey chapter of the Ibadan Descendants Union (IDU), USA.
The renovated classrooms were inaugurated on Monday, amid excitement among pupils, teachers, community leaders and education stakeholders.
Speaking at the ceremony, the representative of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) chairman, Dr Nureni Adeniran, an Executive Secretary at the board, Dr (Mrs) Kemi Adeosun, described the project as an investment in the future of the pupils.
She said the classrooms had previously provided an unconducive environment for effective teaching and learning.
She said: “A conducive learning environment is not a luxury. It is the foundation upon which literacy, numeracy, confidence and a child’s sense of dignity are built.
“By providing this facility, the IDU has done more than renovate classrooms. It has opened doors of opportunity that will shape lives for generations to come.”
Also, Education Secretary, Akinyele Local Government, Comrade Adewale Adesina, expressed appreciation to the union for investing in its community despite the rising cost of construction.
“We are truly happy and grateful for what you have done for our people. We know the cost of building materials and construction work these days, and we appreciate the resources you have committed to providing this facility,” he said,
The IDU representative and chairperson of the occasion, Alhaja Saidat Iyabo Azeez, urged other diaspora chapters to emulate the initiative.
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She said: “We are not affiliated with any political party or person. Whatever we do is not for politics; we are merely giving back to the community and society.
“The New Jersey chapter has opened the way and shown us what is possible. We will therefore look at how we can emulate this initiative and contribute our quota to the development of our schools and communities.”
One of the union’s representatives, Alhaji Ademola Yusuf, said the project formed part of the IDU’s wider interventions in education, healthcare and community development.
He urged the school and community to protect the facility, saying, “This facility should be treated as if it were our own personal property. We must protect it, maintain it and ensure that it remains in good condition.”
The head teacher, Mr Abdulrasheed Agbaje, and the community representative, Mr Akintunde Tajudeen, assured the union that the renovated classrooms will be properly maintained
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