The Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Wednesday inaugurated the first-ever public secondary school in Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, marking a historic milestone in the community’s educational development.
The newly established institution, Femi Gbajabiamila Junior Secondary School, was facilitated by the Chief of Staff and officially commissioned during a colourful ceremony attended by top government officials, community leaders, and residents.
Speaking at the event, Gbajabiamila — represented by Rep. Lanre Okunola, member representing Surulere II Federal Constituency — said the school would bring an end to the difficulties parents in the area had faced for decades in securing quality secondary education for their children.
“This event marks a defining milestone in our collective pursuit of accessible, quality education for every child in this community. It is not merely the opening of a new institution, but the birth of opportunity, progress, and renewed hope for generations to come,” Gbajabiamila said.
He noted that for many years, children in Itire-Ikate had been forced to travel long distances to attend schools outside their community — a challenge that often led to dropouts and safety risks.
“Today, that struggle has ended. This school stands as a beacon of inclusion, ensuring that no child in Itire-Ikate is left behind because of geography or circumstance,” he added.
Gbajabiamila said the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in advancing access to education at all levels.
Recalling his long-standing commitment to education, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives highlighted his role in championing the Students’ Loan Bill, now signed into law, to ensure that every Nigerian youth has access to higher education regardless of financial background.
“Education does not start at university; it begins in schools like this, where young minds are nurtured and shaped for the future,” he said.
He also revealed that beyond policy advocacy, he has personally supported school renovations, teacher empowerment, and classroom upgrades across Surulere, even volunteering to teach secondary school students himself.
“Leadership must be demonstrated through action, not just words. By sharing my time and experience with students, I have seen firsthand how education fosters discipline, confidence, and purpose,” Gbajabiamila stated.
Expressing gratitude to community leaders for naming the school after him, the Chief of Staff said the institution would have a lasting impact beyond academics — creating jobs, strengthening local pride, and producing future leaders.
“When a community invests in education, it invests in peace, prosperity, and continuity,” he noted.
The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.
