Japan donates N2b school projects to Oyo govt
The Japanese Government, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), on Monday, handed over completed school projects across Oyo State, worth N2 billion, to the State Government.
The Japanese Government handed over the project to the state government at a ceremony held at St. Luke’s Demonstration School, Molete, Ibadan.
Mr. Hirotaka Nakamura, the Chief Representative, JICA, Nigeria Office, said that the N2billion was expended on 231 classrooms, two staff room and 218 toilet booths spread across 30 existing schools.
The well-constructed classroom blocks were furnished with desks, chairs and blackboards.
“The completion of this project brings the total number of classrooms constructed in the education sector in Nigeria to 1, 038 classrooms and 999 toilet booths, between December 2014 and now.
“We hope the project would assist in improving the quality of basic education across the state”, he said.
Nakamura disclosed that JICA’s support for the state had transcended primary school construction to include rural water supply and training programmes for government officials.
Mr. Sadanobu Kusaoke, Ambassador of Japan in Nigeria, said that the project was expected to accommodate 65 pupils per classroom.
Kusaoke listed diversification of the economy and social development through empowerment were two priority areas the Japanese government was committed too.
Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, said that the project was one of the fruits of the long-standing relationship between Nigeria and Japan.
The minister, who was represented by Mrs. Opeyemi Ariba, a Deputy-Director, Federal Ministry of Education, said that the effort was in line with the federal government’s commitment to the enhancement of teaching and learning.
In his remarks, Governor Abiola Ajimobi said that Japan was a leading country in the world because of knowledge, adding that most developed nations are knowledge-driven.
He appreciated Mr. Bobby Ologun, an Ibadan indigene in Japan for facilitating the project to Ibadan.
“Ologun did this for us because he has education. Education is the largest industry in Oyo State.
“What we are having today is Japanese government through JICA helping us develop our future leaders,” he said.
The governor, who urged the pupils to emulate the good education acquired by Ologun and not the brigandage they displayed recently.
Ajimobi restated his administration’s determination to reposition education for greater heights in the state, saying that they would partner with JICA in developing schools.
The event was attended by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, representeatives of UBEC, SUBEB and many pupils.
