The Fadugba-Ogunlewe family on Friday donated two units of 100-bed dormitories to the Lagos State Civil Service Model College, Igbogbo in remembrance of Amos Olugbusi, Oba F.M Ogunlewe.
This was disclosed in a press release with the donation set to play a major role in boosting the quality of scholars being produced in Lagos State.
Speaking on the importance of the project, a former Senator who also doubles as the Chairman, Steering Committee of the Fadugba-Ogunlewe Royal Family, Adeseye Ogunlewe noted that the family decided to embark on it when it was obvious that accommodation was a major challenge confronting the school.
Senator Ogunlewe provided a brief historical overview, revealing that Igbogbo had initially opposed the Oba F.M Ogunlewe’s decision to donate the community land for the school on its current property.
He also mentioned that similar resistance trailed the donation of lands to Oriwu College and Zumuratul Islamiya Secondary School in Igbogbo by the Monarch.
The senator shared a personal connection with the school, having served as a member of the pioneer Board of Governors.
He also disclosed that four of his children had attended the school, fostering a lifelong appreciation for the institution.
Ogunlewe stressed the significance of on-campus accommodation for school principals and teachers, stressing that it was essential for maintaining discipline, promoting effectiveness and fostering a productive learning environment for scholars.
The former Minister for Works also stressed the importance of a conducive environment for the promotion of academic excellence.
Going down memory lane, another prominent member of the Fadugba-Ogunlewe Royal Family, Dr. Jaiye Ogunlewe recounted the commendable roles played by their two late patriarchs towards the development of education in Igbogbo and Ikorodu division as a whole.
Dr. Ogunlewe highlighted the pioneering roles played by the two late icons in introducing and promoting western education in the Igbogbo kingdom, leaving a lasting impact on the community.
He praised their vision, leadership and dedication to the advancement of education, which has had a profound positive impact on successive generations of students in Igbogbo town at large.
“We are gathered here to honour our deceased and distinguished fathers, the late Prince Amos Olugbusi and late Oba Festus Molaja Ogunlewe, the first Adeboruwa of Igbogbo for being the vanguards of western education in the entire Igbogbo Kingdom and to revisit some of their achievements in this regard,” he said.
He further noted that Amos Olugbusi played significant roles in the education of many Igbogbo indigenes, including his younger brother, Late Oba Festus Molaja Ogunlewe.
“Olugbosi was committed to developing Igbogbo Town but spending his “Leave of Absence” among his people. He sponsored all his siblings who were willing to embrace Western education,” he added.
The erudite scholar also reeled out the contributions of Oba Ogunlewe to the educational development of Igbogbo and Ikorodu in general to include the following: Donation of expanse of land to Oriwu College, Ikorodu.
Others are the donation of family land for the establishment of the then Colony Teachers College now Lagos State Civil Service Model College, Igbogbo where the family is building the twin hotel building.
Also included is the donation of land for the relocation of Zumratul Islamiya Secondary School to its present site along Bayeku Road, Igbogbo among other contributions.
In conclusion, he stressed that these landmark educational donations still exist as testimonies to the contributions of the legends, hence the decision of the family to immortalise the contributions of the Fadugba-Ogunlewe patriarchs by building a modern hotel facility in their memories.
Delivering the Royal Address on behalf of the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Balogun of Igbogbo Land, Chief Jelili Adesola Oduntan commended the Fadugba-Ogunlewe Royal Family for continuing in the good paths laid down by Late Amos Olugbusi and Late Oba Festus Molaja Ogunlewe through selfless contribution towards the development of education in Igbogbo town and its environs.
Mrs. Anike Adekanye, Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary Education District II, in her brief remarks expressed gratitude to Fadugba-Ogunlewe, on behalf of the Lagos State Government, Management, Staffs and students for their benevolence and for sustaining the family’s legacy in the area of educational development.
According to Arch Adewale Ogunlewe, the state-of-the-art dormitories which also houses a self-contained apartment each for House Master and House Mistress would be the best school hostel building when completed.
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