By Esther Onyegbula

The Rotary Club of Agbara, District 9111, has reconstructed six classrooms and built a new head teacher’s office at Salvation Army Primary School, Idoye, Igbesa, Ogun State, in a project valued at about N42 million.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Saturday, President of the Rotary Club of Agbara, Rotarian Fati Odunayo Boluwaji, said the intervention was prompted by the deplorable state of the school, which was affecting learning and enrolment.

According to him, the club first visited the school in October last year to donate desks and benches but discovered that the learning environment was unsuitable for pupils.

“We came here in October to donate desks and benches and discovered that the school was in a very bad shape and needed urgent reconstruction,” she said.

“As a matter of fact, one of the classroom blocks had no roof. Weeds and trees had grown inside it and it had become a dumping ground. The only usable block contained three classrooms serving pupils from Primary One to Primary Six. It was a very challenging environment.”

Boluwaji said the Rotary Club conducted a needs assessment and secured support from partners to execute the project.

“We were able to spend close to N42 million within six months to reconstruct the school to its present state. We did not only rehabilitate the existing classrooms, we added a head teacher’s office and expanded another block, bringing the total to six standard classrooms,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the improved infrastructure would boost enrolment, enhance learning outcomes and contribute to community development.

“With this, enrolment in the school will improve. We have created a conducive learning environment, supported education growth and contributed to reducing potential insecurity in the community in the future,” he added.

District Governor of Rotary International District 9111, Prince Henry Akinyele, described the project as an investment in the future of the children rather than merely a construction project.

“Some people may see this as just a structure, a block of six classrooms, but Rotary looks beyond the building. We look at the impact of projects,” he said.

“It is not about today’s celebration; it is about the children whose dreams have been brightened. We are confident that with these facilities, some of these children may one day become leaders and governors.”

Akinyele recalled his previous visit to the school, where pupils from different classes were compelled to share the same classrooms due to inadequate facilities.

“When I came here in October, I saw that two classes were being taught in one classroom. During rainfall, pupils had to return home because the classrooms leaked badly. It was a very difficult situation.

“I asked the Rotary Club of Agbara to see what could be done, and today they have exceeded expectations. They have transformed what was once an abandoned, roofless structure into modern classrooms where pupils can learn comfortably.”

The district governor urged the school management and community to ensure proper maintenance of the facilities.

“Rotary believes strongly in sustainability. We want to return in the future and still find these facilities in good condition. Please maintain them because sustainability is key,” he said.

Project Director of the Rotary Club of Agbara, Rotarian Paul Onabanjo, said the project commenced on December 9 and was completed on May 23.

He noted that the transformation was achieved within five months through the support of Rotary members and partners.

“When we first came here, we could not believe children were learning in such conditions. It was heartbreaking,” he said.

“The president promised that the school would be transformed before the end of the year, and today we can all see the result. This project, executed with our partners, cost over N40 million and was completed within five months.”

Also speaking, the Baale of Idoye Community described the intervention as a landmark development that would have a lasting impact on the community.

“It is with immense joy and deep gratitude that we witness the commissioning of two fully renovated blocks of six classrooms and a new head teacher’s office,” he said.

“These renovated blocks are more than walls and roofs. They are a statement that our children deserve the best and that Idoye is ready for tomorrow.”

The traditional ruler also praised the rehabilitation of the community borehole, noting that access to clean water would improve public health and school attendance.

“Clean water means fewer illnesses, improved school attendance and stronger families. Idoye will remain forever grateful for this gesture,” he added.

In her remarks, the Head Teacher of Salvation Army Primary School, Mrs. Kukoyi Fadilat Mojirade, expressed appreciation to the Rotary Club for what she described as a life-changing intervention.

“It is with great joy and happiness that I welcome everyone to this commissioning of two blocks of six classrooms and a head teacher’s office reconstructed by the Rotary Club of Agbara District 9111,” she said.

“After donating 50-seater benches and tables in October 2025, the Rotary Club has now gone further to provide this huge assistance. God Almighty will reward every member of the organisation.”

While pledging to ensure proper maintenance of the facilities, Mojirade appealed for additional support in the form of desks, benches and office furniture to further enhance teaching and learning.

“As beneficiaries, we pledge to take ownership of these facilities and ensure they are properly maintained for the benefit of present and future generations,” she said.

The commissioning attracted Rotary officials, community leaders, teachers, pupils and residents, who hailed the project as a significant boost to education and community development in Idoye.