SPECIAL REPORT: Concerns Mount Over Stalled ₦100 Million Kwara School Project in Esie Iludun

Project Trust: CoP Members Conduct Preliminary Visit to Stalled Kwara School Renovation Project

The Esie Iludun community in Oro, Irepodun Local Government Area, has raised concerns as the much-anticipated ₦100 million renovation project for Esie Iludun Anglican Grammar School remains stalled.

In 2023, the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment under the National Productivity Centre, allocated ₦100 million for the renovation and equipping of Esie Iludun Anglican Grammar School. 

This historic school, located in Oro, has produced many prominent individuals, including the current Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Lola Ashiru.

On Tuesday, July 23, 2024, residents voiced their frustrations during a visit by the Community of Practice (CoP) delegation to Esie Iludun. The visit, organized by Connected Development (CODE) under the Project Trust campaign, aimed to assess the status of the Zonal lntervention Project and conduct an outreach program to educate the community on project monitoring.

Hajia Nimat Labaika, the team lead, explained that the outreach was intended to provide information on the zonal intervention project, educate the residents on project monitoring, and the use of NOMTRAC app to nominate needed  projects in the community. 

Speaking at the palace of HRM Oba Yakubu Agboola Ibrahim Babalola Egunjobi II, Elesie of Esie Land, the team emphasized the importance of community involvement in the renovation project included in the 2023 budget.

However, Oba Yakubu Agboola Ibrahim Babalola Egunjobi II expressed surprise, stating, "We are not aware the project has been approved by the government. Nobody in the community was informed about the development."

Mrs. Adebayo H.O., the Principal of the Junior Secondary School, revealed that Senator Ashiru had visited the school and, alongside the 1981 and 1990 sets, constructed a block of two classrooms for the school.

She added that despite writing to the Kwara State Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development about the school's condition, no action had been taken beyond an initial visit for measurements and inspection.

                                          

                                           

"We're not aware of any work done in the school," Mrs. Adebayo stated. "Our laboratory got burnt, and the students don't have a toilet. The only functioning toilet is the staff toilet. The only work done was the construction of two classrooms by Senator Lola Ashiru in conjunction with the 1981 and 1990 sets."

The CoP team introduced the NOMTRAC app to traditional rulers, chiefs, stakeholders, teachers, and community members, explaining its benefits in suggesting infrastructural needs and tracking on ongoing projects. 

The team also guided the youth leader, Mr. Onatayo Olayemi and other youths present on how to use the NOMTRAC tool. Hon. Chief Titilayo Taiwo Ogundipe, the palace secretary, however emphasized the need for the youths to inform the traditional ruler before nominating any project.

"We appreciate your effort in coming to the community and the new innovation you brought to us. However, I appeal to the youths not to take action without informing the traditional ruler."

"We have a group, the Omo Esie National Body. This group consists of sons and daughters of the community within and outside the country. The group has branches all over the states and the traditional ruler is their patron." 

The team also visited the Cathedral, meeting with Venerable Oladipo M.O., the Proprietor of the School, to introduce the NOMTRAC tool and explain the purpose of their visit.

The Esie Iludun community remains hopeful that the project will soon commence, bringing much-needed renovations and improvements to their cherished school.

The community, however, appealed to the delegates to help facilitate the completion of the current project before requesting any additional ones.

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