Hon. Wale Raji Moves To Strengthen Education In Epe, Begins Building Of Classroom

Babatunde Kaka and Zainab Olanrewaju

• In Epe, Hon. Wale Raji Begins Construction Of New Classes
• The construction was flagged off on Monday, November 10

The bedrock of any nation’s socio-economic development is undoubtedly education. Nigeria is no exception as the state of the nation presently is as a result of years of investment in the education sector.

However, the quality of Nigeria’s education system is such that could be said to be developing due to the fact that it has not really measured up to the standard expected of a nation known to be the “Giant of Africa”.

Nigerian leaders are not oblivious of this fact and one can only hope and pray it gets better when resources earmarked for the sector are judiciously and equitably used and distributed for the benefit of mankind.

Today, Monday 10th November 2020, the super House of Representatives Member representing Epe Federal Constituency, Hon. Wale Raji flagged off the construction of Blocks of Classrooms and fully equipped ICT centres across Epe.

The said projects, according to the selfless and altruistic Epe Lawmaker, had been awarded by the Federal Government of Nigeria to ease the burden students, teachers and other stakeholders in the Education sector of his constituency.

The former Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, while addressing members of staff of Army High School Epe, stated that the essence of the Flag off was to mobilize contractors to site in order to begin the construction of the Six Blocks of Classrooms fully equipped with tables and chairs.

He also pledged his unalloyed support to contractors in terms of funding so as to speed up the completion of the project within the stipulated time.

” Today is just to flag off the construction and also take the contractors round. The contract has been awarded by the federal government. The contractor is here, I am ever ready to support him even when there is a delay in payment.

I am not expecting kickbacks from you, all I want is the speedy completion of the classrooms based on the Federal Government SDGs building standard built across the country.

The essence is to select and show them where to erect the block of six classrooms to meet the need of students because we are aware of the shortage of classroom accommodation for the students. It is not just only constructing the classrooms, they will also be equipped with furniture”, he said.

He further hinted that contractors will be moving to the site next week Monday. He informed the Principal, Mr Aboderin to give him a weekly progress report throughout the six weeks period.

Speaking with Eko Hot Blog after the flag off at Army High School, LASU Road, Epe, the Lawmaker revealed that by virtue of being from the area, he has no other choice than to serve his people in whatever capacity at his disposal.

” My interest is undoubtedly due to the fact that I am a product of this area and I see every opportunity to occupy public office as an opportunity to serve, to give back.

If you know the history of Epe Grammar School, it started as a community school. Some people put their resources together at that time to provide an education which we benefitted from.

We are going to four other schools, we are providing ICT Centers at Epe Girls’ High School and also Odomola High School, Blocks of Classrooms at LG Primary School, Oriba and Agbowa Community High School.

And before the end of the year, we are going to produce exercise books because I understand we have 13,500 students in Junior and Senior Schools in Epe Federal Constituency. We are providing each student with 10 free exercise books”, Hon. Wale Raji averred.

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Earlier, the Lawmaker revealed that the demand for state resources is humongous thereby widening the funding gap. This he said, has led to gross inadequacies in relation to the perception that Lagos is a rich state.

” The demand for state resources is so huge that the funding gap in the state is wide. People see Lagos as a rich state but if you relate our resources to the demand on the resources, you’d see that it is grossly inadequate”, he said.

Reacting to the development, both the Junior and Senior School Principals, Mrs Anwo E.O and Mrs Aboderin J. A immensely appreciated the Lawmaker for coming to the rescue of the school.

They, however, called on other Government officials and Public figures from Epe to emulate Hon. Wale Raji’s kind gesture so as to improve the school’s infrastructure. It is hoped that in the next 6-8 weeks, the projects will be commissioned as planned.

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