BEING THE TEXT OF THE ADDRESS DELIVERED BY SENATOR ADEGBENGA SEFIU KAKA AT THE COMMISSIONING OF STAFFROOM BLOCK WITH OFFICES AND A MOSQUE AT MOLUSI COLLEGE, IJEBU-IGBO ON TUESDAY 28TH JANUARY, 2014. Protocol, Gentlemen of the Press, It is with the greatest pleasure that I welcome you all to the formal handing over of this ultra-modern staff room, with 2 Vice Principals Offices and registry to the Molusi College, Ijebu-Igbo, in affectionate memory of my mentor, benefactor and uncle, Engr. Popoola Okeowo, Molusian Primus SN 23 (1932 to 2011). The epoch making ceremony of today is of various motivational dimensions, as it is often said that “every behavior is a motivated behavior”: 1. The most significant motive of donating this model structure, is the teachers motivation for optimal output in their chosen and dignifying profession. Teaching, which I was privileged to engage in as student-teacher during my University days and immediately after my NYSC, as Biology teacher 1979/80 at Muslim High School, Sagamu, is supposed to be the bedrock of all other professions. The teachers are supposed to be highly revered, dignified, respected and motivated as it was in the years gone-by. But what do we have as at today? Direct opposite of what should be, irreverence, undignifying, disrespect and ill-motivational treatment of our teachers at various levels. Hence, the lack of commitment on the part of teachers, moral decadence amongst teachers and students alike and of course mass failures at both internal and external examinations. All cumulatively leading to falling standard of education and production of “unemployable graduates”. Teachers well motivated in both content and context of the job are bound to give optimal output for the betterment of the society. That is why I considered giving the teachers, a conducive teaching environment like this staffroom, offices, registry and possibly staff quarters, as motivational tools. 2. My uncle Engr. Popoola Olayinka Okeowo, an unsung hero in his modest life, that spanned 79years, was a role model that is worthy of emulation by all and sundry. When on the 25th of October, 1968, I lost my great father, the future instantly became hopeless, for a young boy of 16 years, first of 7 children from the same mother and just in class one of a secondary school. But, the hope started rising when my uncle of blessed memory took up the gauntlet, by taking sole responsibilities for my education from class two till I graduated from the University. Not only this, he courageously carried the burden of three other siblings up to the secondary school level before the baton of responsibilities was passed on to me. During this trying period, I grew to know the importance of Professor Oluwole Awokoya and Dr. Tai Solarin in the life my uncle, as Teachers and Principals at this same Molusi College. The Spartan, but exemplary lives of these great Nigerians reverberated throughout my uncle’s sojourn in life. Engr. Okeowo was a disciplinarian, valuer of the dignity in labour, silent philanthropist, motivator per excellence, incorruptible civil servant and he absolutely abhors wastages of any kind. He actually epitomized the principle of being your brother’s keeper, and placed others before self in all his engagements. Rendering selfless services from the beginning to the end, without conferring undue advantages on self throughout this career. Though, a convert from Islam to Christianity, his absolute believe in God and power of prayers was legendary. Deriving from Dr. Tai Solarin’s thoughts, he never for once attempted to convert anyone of us to Christianity. In actual fact, as a believer in the freedom of religion, he sponsored my mother on holy pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina. May his soul rest in peace. 3. In the spirit of giving back to our roots and believing that we all must replenish the fountain from which we drank, for the benefits of coming generation, I cultivated the habit of never forgetting my roots from Ijebu Muslim College, Ijebu-Ode, under the principalship of Alhaji Ambaliyu Olanrewaju Sanni, also of blessed memory. In a parting memoire attached to our testimonials he wrote; “As you go into the world, forget not your alma mata, confer benefits on her, as you are blessed”… It is on this premise that I keep on returning to all institutions that I passed through to contribute my widow’s mite, in addition to other Educational Institutions that I did not attend: (a). A block of 4 classrooms block (1999), toilet facilities in 2012 donated along with my Club ’68 classmates at Ijebu Muslim College, Ijebu-Ode. (b). Mosque in 2002 and now staff-room/office in 2014 at Molusi College, Ijebu-Igbo. (c). Laboratory equipment in 2001, pasture establishment contribution in 2010, sponsorship of Annual Quiz Competition amongst the universities with Departments of Animal Science in the South-West region, all at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ibadan. (d). Contribution to the endowment fund at the University of Lagos, among others. (e). Bursary Awards to final year students in all tertiary institutions in Ogun East Senatorial District, first of which to be disbursed in the next 2 weeks, immediately after the on-going examinations in the various institutions. (f). A replication of same structure being hand-over today to commence at Ago-Iwoye Secondary School before the week runs out. (g). A block of 3 classrooms at Ansar-Ud—Deen Primary School, Sagamu, to commence in 3 weeks time. (h). A block of 3 classrooms at RCM Primary School at Ayede, Ajegunle-Ikale in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, at roofing stage. (i). A block of 3 classrooms at Akaka Community Primary School in Remo North Local Government Area, at roofing stage. (j). A block of 3 classrooms block at Ositelu Memorial College, Ogere-Remo, at roofing stage. (k). Library books and furniture supplied to: (i). Saint Anthony’s Grammar School, Esure-Ijebu. (ii). Iyankan High School, Isara, Remo-North Local Government Area. (l). Provision of Library Building, equipped with books and furniture for Ososa Comprehensive High School, Ososa, Odogbolu Local Government Area, about to be awarded. (m). A block of 3 classrooms, with V.I.P. Toilets and Head-Master’s Office, at Christ Church Primary School, Molode, Ijebu-Ode; already commissioned. (n). A block of 3 classrooms, with V.I.P. Toilets and Principal’s Office at Orita j4/J6 at Ajebandele Ward, Ijebu-East Local Government Area; already commissioned. (o). A block of 3 classrooms at St. Peters Primary School at Agunboye, currently at roofing stage. (p). Provision of free notebooks to pupils and students in various educational institutions. All the above are good motivation, I believe, for others to emulate, for the advancement of education, as the burden of education is proven to be too much for our tiers of government, in the face of misplaced priorities. I therefore call on all and sundry to return to their roots and other areas of influence, to confer benefits on them as Allah has blessed them, so that we can leave this world better than we met it. 4. Last but not least is the neglect of our various institutions, leading to monumental wastages, as the MAINTENANCE CULTURE is debased absolutely. The second commissioning of Alhaji Amusat Kaka’s Mosque after renovation in this same College, is to re-awaken the nation, to the need for maintenance culture restoration, in all spheres of our lives. From our private homes, inheritances, private and public establishments, government establishments at Local, State and Federal levels, we must cultivate a steady maintenance culture. We can prolong the useful life span of the various infrastructures by maintain them and also conserve the scarce resources for other uses by keeping in good conditions what we have, as done in more civilized climes. To the Principal, Staff and Students of Molusi College, Ijebu-Igbo, I thank you for your cooperation and support in seeing this project to a successful completion. To the Ogun State government, my thanks for the conducive atmosphere for the successful completion of the project. Kudos to the returning great Molusians and welcome to the aspiring-to-return old students, for the conferment of benefits to their roots as Allah has blessed them. Long Live Nigeria Long Live Ogun State Long Live Molusi College Up School! “Only the best…” SENATOR ADEGBENGA SEFIU KAKA Ogun East Senatorial District
Posted on: Tue, 28 Jan 2014 22:28:01 +0000
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