The Chairman, House Committee on Youth and Sports, Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Yusuf Adebisi, on Tuesday, attended the budget presentation on the floor of the Oyo State House of Assembly, delivered by His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, where the Governor assured him of the approval for the establishment of the first secondary school in Ibadan Southwest Constituency 1.
The budget presentation, which attracted members of the State Executive Council, lawmakers, party leaders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders, was described as a defining moment for the people of Ibadan Southwest Constituency 1, who have for decades cried out for a government-owned secondary school of their own.
For years, parents in the constituency have had to send their children to far-away schools in neighbouring constituencies, with many children trekking long distances daily, facing security risks, high transportation costs, and the stress of early morning journeys, just to access secondary education. That long suffering, Hon. Adebisi said, is now coming to an end.
Speaking shortly after the budget presentation, Hon. Adebisi, who represents Ibadan Southwest Constituency 1, said Governor Makinde personally assured him that the approval for the first secondary school in the constituency will be granted, describing the assurance as a historic breakthrough and a direct answer to the prayers of his people.
"Today is a day my people will never forget. His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, looked at me on the floor of the House and assured me that the approval for the first secondary school in Ibadan Southwest Constituency 1 will be granted. This is not just an approval, this is a new dawn for our children," Hon. Adebisi said.
"I want to sincerely thank His Excellency for his love for education, for his love for the youths, and for his love for Ibadan Southwest. Governor Makinde has again proved that he is a Governor who listens, a Governor who keeps his promises, and a Governor who believes that every child deserves quality education close to home."
Hon. Adebisi said the Governor's assurance during the budget presentation is a clear indication that education remains a top priority of the Makinde administration, and that Ibadan Southwest Constituency 1 will now be fully captured in the educational development plan of the state.
It will be recalled that long before the Governor's assurance, Hon. Adebisi had taken proactive steps to fast-track the approval by facilitating 21 additional facilities for the proposed school.
According to the lawmaker, the 21 additional facilities were provided to meet all the requirements for the establishment of a standard secondary school, to show the readiness of the community, and to ensure that once the approval is granted, academic activities can commence without any delay.
"We did not sit down and wait for approval. We prepared for it. Leadership is about preparation. I facilitated 21 additional facilities to fast-track the approval and to make sure that when the Governor gives the approval, the school is already ready to take off. That is what true representation means," Hon. Adebisi explained.
Sources within the constituency confirmed that the facilities include additional classrooms, administrative blocks, and other learning-support structures put in place through the lawmaker's intervention, to complement the existing structures on the school site.
Community leaders who spoke to journalists said the move by Hon. Adebisi demonstrated foresight, commitment and genuine love for the education of the children of the constituency.
In a further show of personal commitment and sacrifice, Hon. Adebisi has singlehandedly carried out the perimeter fencing of the entire school premises with his personal resources.
The fencing, which covers the whole school land, was undertaken to secure the school property from encroachment, protect the facilities already on ground, ensure the safety of future students and teachers, and give the school a befitting outlook as a modern learning environment.
"I singlehandedly did the perimeter fencing of the entire school because I did not want anything to stop this dream. I wanted to protect the land, protect the facilities, and show the government that we are serious and ready. This school is for our children, and I will do anything to make it a reality," Hon. Adebisi said.
Residents described the fencing as unprecedented, noting that it is rare to see a lawmaker invest his personal resources to such an extent for a public project before government approval is even granted.
"Hon. Adebisi is different. He did not wait for government. He used his own money to fence the entire school. He has shown that he is not just a talker, he is a doer. Our children will forever be grateful to him," a parent in the constituency said.
Hon. Adebisi described the Governor's assurance as a victory for education, for parents, for youths, and for the entire future of Ibadan Southwest Constituency 1, adding that the school, when fully established, will bring enormous benefits to the area.
He listed the benefits to include easy access to quality secondary education, reduction in the burden of transportation on parents, improved safety for students, creation of teaching and non-teaching jobs for indigenes, and overall socio-economic development of the constituency.
"This school will change the story of Ibadan Southwest Constituency 1. Our children will no longer trek far to go to school. Our parents will no longer spend huge money on transport. Our youths will have hope. This is the beginning of a new era," he declared.
The lawmaker assured the people that he will continue to follow up on the Governor's assurance until the approval is fully issued, the school is staffed, equipped and fully functional, and the first set of students are admitted.
He also called on traditional rulers, community leaders, parents, youths and all stakeholders to continue to support and protect the project, stressing that the school belongs to everyone in the constituency.
"I want to appeal to my people to own this project. This is our school. This is our future. Let us protect it, let us support it, and let us pray for it. I will not rest until the first secondary school in Ibadan Southwest Constituency 1 is standing, functioning and producing future governors, doctors, lawyers, engineers and leaders," he said.
The news of the Governor's assurance has been greeted with widespread jubilation across the wards in Ibadan Southwest Constituency 1, with parents, students, teachers, youth groups, market women and community leaders describing it as a dream come true.
Many stakeholders praised Governor Makinde for his commitment to education and praised Hon. Adebisi for his doggedness, lobbying, and personal sacrifices which have now yielded result.
Political observers say the development has further cemented Hon. Adebisi's reputation as one of the most effective, grassroots-oriented and results-driven lawmakers in the Oyo State House of Assembly, and as a true ambassador of Ibadan Southwest.
No comments:
Post a Comment