Ibassa, Ijegun Egba Youth association on Thursday inaugurated a passager boat to convey pupils and students across waterways to their different school in the area.
The Ibassa Ijegun Egba riverine communities are located under Oriade Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.
Speaking shortly before the inauguration, Mr Kareem Idowu, the Chairman of the association said the ceremony was not about a new boat or water bottles or lunch bags.
“It is about hope. It is about dignity.
It is about creating a safer passage to education and, most importantly, empowering futures through education because education brings brighter tomorrow.
“The boat we are inaugurating today is it a symbol of luxury. It is a symbol of our commitment to ensuring that the challenges of transportation do not become a barrier to your education,” he said
Idowu urged the pupils and students of their communities to take their education seriously.
“Respect your parents and your teachers, be disciplined, slay away from drugs and other harmful influences.
“Stay away from cultism, dream big, work hard and believe in yourselves,” he said.
Addressing the audience, he thanked them for believing in the dreams
“Thank you for helping us turn a vision into reality, May Almighty Allah bless you and replenish your resources and reward you abundantly,” he said.
The chairman thanked their partners especially Nigerian Ports Authority, Ijegun Egba Tank Farms Association, Medlog Transport and Logistics, Nigeria Ltd, AKT Lighting, ATBOWATON for believing in what we are building.
“To our sponsors, donors, volunteers, parents and every individual who contributed financially, materially or through prayers, your support has made a difference in the life of the student of the areas.
“We also honour the memory of our late sponsor, Alhaji Shafideen Kareem, Baale of Origerigan Zone 2, whose support through the donation of lunch bags and water bottles for our students will continue to impact live.
Mr Folasayo Olukosi, the Director, Ministry of Youth Development, Lagos State, who represented Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende, the Commissioner for Youth Development and Social Services commended the youth in the area.
According to him, the essence of youth development is the ability to create an opportunity for youth in that Area
He said that he was happy that youth in the area were able to identify a problem and they provided solution to it.
Mr Adewale Ojewusi, the Supervisor for Agriculture, Oriade LCDA, who represented Mr Rasak Olojede, the council chairman commended the youth in the area for assisting the pupils with new boat.
Ojewusi urged the pupils to make judicious use of the boat.
Also speaking, Alhaji Rauf Age-Sulaiman, the lawmaker representing Amuwo-Odofin Constituency 2 in Lagos House of Assembly urged the pupils to always comport themselves.
“Always behave like a student and somebody that is taught by your parent in your house.
“Let the moral of what you are taught, let the moral in you distinguish you,” he said.
In his keynote address, Mr Olalekan Adigun, the Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter said the federal government and state government need the cooperation of community leaders and youth to support them.
According to him, we need the community to support the local, state and federal government on educational and community sustainability.
He commended the efforts of the chairman and his executive council on the inauguration of new boat for the pupils and students of the area.
Adigun appeal to the students to make good used of the boat, urging them not spoil it.
The inauguration was attended by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Abdul Olayinka, Iyaloja General of Ijegun, Ibassa Egba, Alhaji Tawakalitu Balogun and parents and guardians in the area.
