Toyyibat Qasim
The management of Anglican Central Primary School One, Oke-nla, in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, has appealed to the state government, old students and philanthropists to support the renovation of its ageing infrastructure and provide modern learning facilities as the institution prepares to celebrate its 125th anniversary.
The Head Teacher, Mrs Alao Adenike Elizabeth, made the appeal on Tuesday during a press conference to announce activities marking the school’s 125th anniversary, scheduled for Thursday, October 22, 2026.
Established in 1901 by Anglican missionaries before its eventual takeover by the government, the school is regarded by its management as one of Nigeria’s oldest primary education institutions.
Alao said the school had played a significant role in the development of education in the surrounding communities, including parts of Ado-Odo/Ota, Ewekoro and Ibogun, where pupils from neighbouring schools previously gathered for major educational celebrations.
She added that the institution had produced several prominent Nigerians and occupied an important place in the history of primary education in the country.
While expressing appreciation to the Ogun State Government for its contributions to education, the head teacher, however, said the school’s ageing facilities required urgent attention to provide pupils with a more conducive learning environment.
She urged former pupils, political officeholders, traditional rulers and other well-meaning Nigerians to support efforts to renovate existing structures and construct new classroom blocks.
“I want us to erect good buildings so that we can support the efforts of the government. As it is always said, government cannot do it all,” she said.
Alao explained that the large number of schools requiring government attention made support from individuals and corporate organisations necessary.
According to her, Ifo Local Government Area alone has about 104 schools, while Ogun State has 20 local government areas, a situation she said placed considerable demands on available public resources.
She appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, and the Oba-elect of Ifo Kingdom, Oba Ogunshomoye Osunsina, to support the school’s development efforts.
The head teacher also called on the former Primate of the Anglican Communion, Primate Emeritus Peter Akinola; a former Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo; and Honourable Fatiu Salami to contribute to the renovation and modernisation of the institution.
She assured prospective donors that their contributions would be recognised, adding that buildings constructed or renovated through their support could be named after them or appropriately acknowledged.
The appeal comes as the school prepares to mark more than a century of providing primary education to children in Oke-nla and neighbouring communities.
Meanwhile, a Primary Six pupil of the school, Odetomi Desire, called on the government to improve the school’s infrastructure, provide modern learning equipment and make education accessible to children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Desire specifically appealed for the provision of information and communication technology facilities, including computers and laptops, to enable pupils to acquire relevant digital skills and improve their learning experience.
She also urged the government to assist children whose parents could not afford school expenses, including providing financial support and food to meet their basic needs.
The pupil said such interventions would reduce the financial burden on struggling families and encourage more children in the community to attend school.
Her appeal highlighted the need to complement the school’s anniversary celebrations with practical interventions that would improve teaching and learning conditions for present and future generations of pupils.
As Anglican Central Primary School One approaches its 125th anniversary, its management hopes the milestone will inspire renewed commitment from government, alumni and other stakeholders to preserve the institution’s educational legacy while equipping it to meet the demands of modern primary education.
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