As part of his Ona Ogo Agenda, the Chairman of Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Olalekan Hammed Aroyewun, has flagged off the construction of a 30-classroom smart primary school to address the shortage of public primary schools across the council area.

The groundbreaking ceremony, held at Zumratul Islamiyah Primary School, Igbogbo, drew traditional rulers, political leaders, government officials and residents.

Speaking at the ceremony, Aroyewun said the project followed an assessment of about 30 communities within the LCDA, which revealed that many lacked public primary schools.

According to him, the council decided to build not just another conventional school but a modern smart school that would prepare pupils to compete globally.

He said the three-storey facility would comprise 30 classrooms equipped with modern learning facilities and digital technology, adding that the council was targeting completion within the next 24 months.

“We discovered that there is no single primary school in about 30 communities in Igbogbo/Bayeku. We saw the need to provide one, but we are not building just a conventional primary school. We are constructing a 30-classroom smart school that is 21st-century compliant and will prepare our children to compete with their peers anywhere in the world,” he said.

The Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, Oba (Barr.) Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali (Emugoriade I), described the project as one of the greatest gifts the community could receive during activities marking his 10th coronation anniversary.

The monarch said the project reflected the impact of policies that had strengthened local government administration, particularly the creation of Local Council Development Areas and increased allocations to councils.

“This is what we have been yearning for. It is the best gift we can receive during this period of celebration,” the monarch said.

He expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for policies he said had improved the capacity of local governments to execute developmental projects, noting that the smart school was one of the visible outcomes of those interventions.

Member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Babajimi Benson, described the proposed school as a unique project that would expand access to quality education in the area.

He said increased funding available to local governments had improved their capacity to deliver infrastructure and social services, adding that communities would benefit more when resources were effectively deployed.

Benson also commended the chairman’s approach to security, saying close engagement with residents had helped maintain peace within the council area.

According to him, stronger and properly funded local governments would contribute significantly to tackling insecurity and accelerating development across the country.

Also speaking, the Council Engineer of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Builder Egbasan Balogun, said the project was conceived under the chairman’s Ona Ogo Agenda to respond to the shortage of primary schools within the council.

He said the three-storey smart school would consist of about 30 classrooms fitted with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities to improve teaching and learning.

Balogun added that all necessary approvals had been obtained before construction commenced and assured residents that qualified professionals were handling the project.

According to him, the school is expected to ease pressure on existing public schools while providing pupils with learning facilities comparable to those available in other parts of the world.

Among dignitaries at the ceremony were Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe; Asiwaju of Igbogbo, Chief Reuben Olorunfunmi Basorun; member representing Ikorodu Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun; Vice Chairman of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Hon. Ade Ayeni; Permanent Secretary, Education District II, Sani Omotayo; Abdul Gafar Bolowotan; retirees of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, and other community leaders.