By Adesina Wahab

Founder of Grande Oakbridge Montessori School, Lekki, Lagos, Mrs Hannah Royeke Obalade, has said education that will be beneficial to the child and the society at large should be one that helps the child unleash his innate talents and potential.

Obalade, whose school is celebrating its 20th anniversary, said education must both be functional and effective to achieve that.

“We are happy and we thank God that that is the type of education that we give our learners at Grande Oakbridge Montessori School. I have training in Early Childhood Education in Montessori after my first and second degrees in education. I received the vision to start Grande Oakbridge Montessori School over 30 years ago, and I was motivated by the words of Nelson Mandela that, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

After ten years of preparation, Grande Oakbridge Montessori School was officially birthed on the 12th day of September 2005. This year marks the 20 years when the school was established.

“Our vision is to provide a world-class education that is both functional and effective, enabling each child to unleash his God-given potentials.

“Our Mission Statement goes this, “To provide a platform where children will imbibe a culture of academic distinction, standing tall and making a positive mark on everyone they come in contact with. And truly, like our motto which says, “We stand out,” we are really.”

Giving a background of how the school started, Obalade said the school started in a rented building of six flats at 5, Ken Uba Street, Agungi-Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria. We then had myself, the Proprietor, and a staff compliment of six people (Head Teacher, Secretary, two teachers, one Assistant Teacher and one cleaner, with only two students in the Nursery class. 

“Despite the tough and rough road, the school management rejoices that we were able to make an indelible mark on the educational pursuits of Agungi community and Lekki axis.  “In 2014, management decided to go for a permanent site. The dream became a reality when the school purchased a piece of land in Osapa-Lekki. Construction began in 2015 and the school moved to this site located at 49 Muritala Eletu street, Osapa- London in Lekki axis in January 2018.“

The school’s permanent site is a building of four floors consisting of 27 Classrooms, which includes: Pre-school, Nursery and Primary classes, recovery room, Language room, Home economics workshop, Kitchen, library, ICT laboratory, Science laboratory, art studio and Music rooms. The building also houses the Proprietor’s office, Head of school’s office, Playground, Admin and Account office, Reception and an Assembly Hall.

The Board of Directors was inaugurated on August 31, 2007. The Board is made up of eminent personalities in our society- A Professor of Education, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, a Fellow of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), an Ex- Banker, a Clergy and an Industrialist. The Board is chaired by Deacon Obalade Adeyinka Emmanuel, a First class Graduate of University of Ife, an MBA holder and a Fellow of ICAN. 

“The school has been blessed with good staff members. We employed only University Graduates as teachers despite the fact that we are running a Nursery and Primary School.

“Today, the number of pupils in the school has grown in leaps and bounds. Many of Grande Oakbridge children have gained admission into reputable secondary schools and universities both locally and abroad. 

“Grande Oakbridge Montessori School offers residents of Victoria Island, Ikoyi and especially Lekki axis of Lagos a unique childcare and educational facility for kids, from 18 months to 11 years, with a ratio of 1 teacher to 10 students, customized modern facilities, and innovative learning programs with latest educational technologies that make the pupils relevant globally. Our school is an innovative solution to broadening children’s skills.

“The children are engaged in learning new skills and reinforcing already acquired ones.“The students have been participating in various competitions-ICT, Science and Mathematics, Creative Arts and Spelling Bee. To the glory of God, the school has come back with laurels. Grande Oakbridge Montessori School was also a guest of United Nations on Children’s Day.”

She added that the school has been blessed with parents who have been supportive and who believe in the project