Adesola, one of the children of the former Oyo State governor and the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, marked his birthday on Saturday with commencement of renovation and equipping of the Progressive Day School, Aladoorin, Isale Osi which his father and other notable Ibadan indigene attended during their youthful days.
Adesola said to have conceived the idea of ‘Sola Ladoja Foundation’ as a way of giving back to the society.
Adesola, who however attended a different primary school, said he passed through the school area and saw the deplorable and sordid condition it is, lamenting that the school which his father, Senator Sarafadeen Alli, Fuji maestro Rasidi Ayinde, four High Chiefs of Ibadanland, among others attended, should not be so treated.
Noting that he saw a pupil holding his books in a plastic bag (nylon), Adesola said he was moved to pity and so procure school bags in large quantity which he presented to each of the pupils.
He promised to procure computer sets for the school through a partnership arrangement with FOUND Africa Technology Empowerment Foundation led by Olajide Aboderin, in order to expose the pupils early to technological innovations.
“For security purpose, we are going to provide solar lights, for the school environment to be well lit in the night. We are also going to engage Amotekun Corps to secure the facilities to be provided. In order to give residents of this area a sense of belonging and empowerment, we are going to ensure that everybody that is going to work on the renovation of the school is from this community.
“We are not going to import any contractor from outside. All of us should therefore be ready to safeguard the school from vandalisation of the amenities we are providing”, Adesola appealed.
In his words, Senator Sarafadeen Alli said, “this school established in 1948, located in the Ibadan South West local government area was massively renovated during the administration of Senator Rasidi Ladoja when I was the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). Since then, successive governments did not effect much.
“This school has produced governor, popular Fuji maestro Rasidi Ajinde, about four or five Ibadan High Chiefs. By God’s grace, another governor will emerge from here in the future.
“If Sola and Jide did not pass out of this school, yet they decided to contribute to its development, it means that we need to support them. I will also do more than I had done in the past to this former school of mine.
“Government cannot do everything. So the parents, teachers, residents of this area, and all stakeholders in the education sector should be supporting its development.
“Few minutes ago, while Sola was chatting with his Dad on the phone, he showed me Baba’s comment that commencing the renovation on Saturday is the best birthday gift. That shows that the former governor and the Otun Olubadan, Senator Rasidi Ladoja is also here”, Alli said.
Also commending the initiator were many others including the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Nureni Adeniran, who was ably represented by Mr. K. F. Adeoye; the Education Secretary for the Ibadan South West, Mrs Morenike Adeniran; Chief Mojeed Adisa; Are Onibon Aladoorin, Alhaji Abdulwasiu Aderoju; the pupils, among many other stakeholders.
