The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has donated an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre to his alma mater, Odu Abore Memorial Primary School, Mushin, in commemoration of his 61st birthday celebration.
The Deputy Governor, who made this donation at the school premises, said that the construction of the ICT Centre is in fulfilment of a promise he made during the 80th Anniversary celebration of the school, adding that his decision to build the ICT Centre is informed by the fact that ICT has contributed to whatever he has become in life today.
According to Hamzat, “During the 80th anniversary of this school some years back, we went round and then we saw that there is no ICT centre here. And I just thought that this is something that I can do for this school. The motive behind my contribution is to let the children understand the need for the knowledge of ICT, which is where the world is. As a matter of fact, every child today must be computer-literate”.
Hamzat stressed that “his donation to the school is a form of giving back to the community he came from, there is no doubt that no government can do it alone, and the well-to-do public can complement whatever the government can do.”
He stated further that the ICT Centre will allow the children to have access to ICT knowledge more easily and quickly when it is in their school, emphasising that every child today must be computer literate. He emphasised that for Africans to be able to compete with other nationals of other continents will be through ICT, “That is the common denominator for our children. If they are good in ICT, they will be able to excel just like any person,” Hamzat said.
Reeling out the efforts of the state governments, the Deputy Governor elucidated that a lot of schools within the state already have ICT centres, but integrating them in different schools across the state is important for the technological advancement of the children.
“Those things that we could not do in the university, our students are doing in secondary school today. When we were in school, we were learning about computers.” Hamzat, therefore, urged parents to look out for the positive side of technology and plug in their children, adding that Nigerians should not listen to the naysayers.
In his goodwill message, Member, Lagos State Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, urged the pupils to make good use of the ICT centre donated by the Deputy Governor, emphasising that both students and staff of Odu Abore must preserve the facility and utilise it strictly for its intended purpose.
He said, “I commend you, Mr. Deputy Governor, for deciding to build this ICT centre for the children of this school. I can assure you that we, at Odu Abore, are determined to make sure that this particular ICT hub is used for the purpose it was built for.”
Similarly, the Member of the Federal House of Representatives, representing Mushin Federal Constituency II, Hon. Moses Fayinka commended the Lagos State Deputy Governor for providing an ICT facility in the school, describing the initiative as a strategic investment in pupils’ access to advanced technology.
He noted that the gesture reflects a commitment to giving back to society, stressing that ICT has become indispensable in today’s rapidly evolving digital world.
In her welcome address, the Education Secretary of the Local Government Education Authority, Mushin, Princess Olufemi Akinlude, stated that the ICT Complex marks a historic milestone in the journey of transforming education in Lagos State.
She added that ICT has become the foundation of modern education, business, and even governance worldwide, stressing that a child who is not ICT-compliant in this 21st century risks being left behind.
Akinlade noted that through the ICT complex provided at Odu Abore Primary School, pupils will acquire practical computer skills that will prepare them for higher education and future careers, and teachers will be better equipped to deliver lessons using modern tools, thereby enhancing teaching and learning outcomes.
“That is why this Centre is not just a building of bricks and mortar. It is a gateway to opportunities, a hub for creativity, and a launchpad for innovation. Both pupils, teachers, and the entire community will benefit from this facility, as this Centre has the potential to serve as a training hub beyond the school system,” she stated.
The Education Secretary, therefore, commended the Deputy Governor for fulfilling his promises to construct an ICT centre in Odo Abore Primary School, urging the community to embrace the opportunities the Centre will provide.