Education stakeholders and community leaders in Igbesa, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, have applauded the Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone for its sustained investment in educational development, describing its interventions as impactful initiatives that are expanding access to quality education, discovering young talents and creating opportunities for future generations.
The stakeholders, according to a statement issued by the Public Relations Manager of the Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone, Mr Tope Anthony, on Saturday, highlighted the positive contributions of the zone through the establishment of the China-Nigeria Friendship Model School, scholarship opportunities for deserving students and the organisation of various academic, sporting and extracurricular programmes.
They particularly commended the zone for maintaining its commitment to the educational advancement of children in its host communities, while urging its management to expand the existing interventions to accommodate more beneficiaries.
Speaking on the zone’s contributions, the Head of Academics and School Services at the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Education Authority, Mr Joseph Ibikunle, described OGFTZ’s 15-year investment in education as remarkable and deserving of recognition.
Ibikunle said, “The organisation has consistently demonstrated its commitment to improving education through support for school infrastructure, the provision of learning materials and scholarship opportunities for deserving students.
“These interventions have contributed significantly to creating a more conducive learning environment and opening up educational opportunities for children across the host communities.
“OGFTZ has made remarkable contributions to educational development in our communities over the years. Its interventions in school infrastructure, educational materials and scholarships have positively impacted the learning environment and the lives of many students.
“We appreciate the management of OGFTZ for its continued commitment to education. These interventions are making a meaningful difference in the lives of our learners, and we encourage the organisation to sustain and further strengthen this support.”
Also speaking, the Otunba Amona of Igbesa, High Chief Ezekiel Durojaiye, described the establishment of the China-Nigeria Friendship Model School as one of the most remarkable legacies of OGFTZ in the community.
He observed that the presence of the zone and the establishment of the school had strengthened Igbesa’s association with China, noting that residents and visitors sometimes jokingly describe the town as “China in Nigeria.”
Durojaiye said the school had become an important educational asset to the community, recalling discussions about its development during the visit of the Chinese Consul-General.
He expressed optimism about the institution’s future, particularly the possibility of expanding its academic programmes beyond the primary level.
Similarly, the family head of Ilu Idofin in Igbesa, Chief Ajidagba Jamiu, highlighted the direct benefits of OGFTZ’s educational initiatives to his family and the wider community.
He disclosed that four of his children had attended the China-Nigeria Friendship School, describing the institution as a valuable educational opportunity for families in the area.
Beyond the school, Jamiu revealed that some indigenes of Igbesa had benefited from scholarships provided by OGFTZ to study in China, successfully completed their academic programmes and secured employment in their respective professional fields.
While expressing gratitude to the zone for the opportunities created, he called for an expansion of the scholarship scheme to accommodate more qualified students.
He noted that broader access to scholarships would empower more young people with the knowledge, skills and professional qualifications needed to contribute meaningfully to community and national development.
The Chairman of the Igbesa Educational Committee, Alhaji Saheed Animashaun, commended the OGFTZ partnership for its consistent educational and youth development initiatives over the past three years.
Animashaun said the zone had demonstrated a deliberate commitment to promoting the educational advancement and overall development of children in its host communities, explaining that hardly a year passed without the organisation implementing at least one programme designed to benefit young learners.
He identified the annual Children’s Day celebrations, which bring together pupils from primary and secondary schools, as one of the initiatives through which OGFTZ recognises, celebrates and encourages children.
According to him, the zone’s interventions extended beyond ceremonial celebrations to include a variety of academic, sporting and cultural competitions aimed at identifying and nurturing the talents of young people.
