Lagos State government has commended the old students of Lagos Baptist Secondary School, Orile Agege, Lagos, LABASCO, in the diaspora over the interlocking of the school’s assembly ground to the tune of N7.5 million.
The commendation was given by the state government through the chairman of the state’s Special Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools, SCPRPS, Mr. Hakeem Smith.
Speaking during an interview by FrontPage, Smith described the initiative as laudable and a sign of responsibility on the part of the old students.
He said the execution of the project which will be inaugurated on November 7, 2024, was worthy of emulation as it was supportive of the efforts of the state government which had, through the SCPRPS, been doing so much in changing the face of schools in Lagos by creating conducive environment and providing facilities for ease of learning.
His words: “I feel happy and elated about it. I think this time around we all need to take responsibility, contribute and support the government in terms of improving the infrastructure of schools generally and all assets of the country. The budget of the country or state most time cannot totally or fully help to improve these infrastructure. So, I think support from individuals, organisations in the case of schools now, old student associations, is most importantly appreciated… I would say thank you and kudos to them.”
While declaring that every support was needed and would be appreciated to improve the educational standard in the state, the SCPRPS chairman said the project executed by the old students was a way of encouraging the government, students and other users of the facility.
“If old students are coming back to support their schools, it will go a long way to assist and to even boost the morale of the students. It makes them feel that truly, if the old students can come to do that, surely sometime, they would be in the position to do the same,” he said.
Smith added: “It’s a way of giving back to the society and also encouraging the students presently to see that there is a future and they can also become something. It makes them also realize that giving back to school makes a lot of sense and that it’s good for the country and the state.
“Coming back to give to the school is also an opportunity for the old students to even talk to them and tell them that, look, you can be better than us and it’s something I think motivates.”
He urged other old students to emulate the example of the old students of LABASCO in the diaspora.
The chairman of the SCPRPS also spoke extensively on the activities of his committee, the amount of success recorded so far and the challenges.
*Editor’s Note: Full interview with the SCPRPS chairman, Mr. Hakeem Smith, to be published on Monday, November 4, 2024.
