Being remarks by His Excellency, Seyi Makinde, at the Commissioning of Muslim Grammar School (Junior), Odinjo on Friday, May 28, 2021
It gives me great pleasure to be here this morning for the commissioning of the Muslim Grammar School in Odinjo, Ibadan. Having taken a tour around the building, I am satisfied with the inclusion of necessary facilities like the sickbay and library. We will ensure that they are well equipped to serve the students. I am sure that the students who come here will be proud to say, “this is my school.”
And this is the type of project that we envisaged when we created the Road Map to Accelerated Development in Oyo State, 2019-2023. Before we came in, educational infrastructure was in a deplorable state. We would often see pictures of dilapidated schools in Oyo State going viral on the internet. And so, we were determined to change that narrative.
Now that we see more befitting school buildings constructed, remodelled, or rehabilitated all over Oyo State, it is also time to retell the story.
Last year, we completed over three hundred projects in the basic education sector and started two hundred and thirty-six projects. I am happy to report to you that we have so far completed those projects. These projects include construction of schools and classrooms, construction of Early Child Development Centres, construction of toilet facilities, renovation of classrooms and offices, installation of boreholes, supply of furniture and laboratory equipment and other procurements.
Our administration remains committed to ensuring that quality education is the standard in Oyo State. This is why since we came into office on May 29, 2019, we have consistently dedicated over 20% of the Oyo State budget to education. We are investing in our children, in our future. History has shown that such investments never go wrong.
In fact, if there is anything that history has taught us, it is that those who fail to invest in quality education reap underdevelopment. One sure way to lift a mass of people out of poverty is to educate them. Armed with their education, they can be whatever they want to be.
Let me quickly add that structures like these can only serve us well when we maintain them. So let the community here take ownership. Let us not see this school as “government’s school”. Let us see it as our school and take care of it like our property.
On this note, I pronounce the of Muslim Grammar School, Odinjo commissioned to the glory of God and for the benefit of the good people of Oyo State.
~ Governor Seyi Makinde, May 28, 2021