Lagos Island LG boss rolls out seven free buses, school materials for 2,000 pupils

The Chairman, Lagos Island Local Government, Hon. Taiwo Oyekan, has donated seven new buses and distributed educational materials to 2,000 pupils in a bid to ease transportation challenges and improve learning outcomes within the community.

The donation, unveiled at the official Rollout of Free School Buses and Distribution of School Bags and Exercise Books held at Dr. Teslim Elias Model Primary School, Adeniji Adele Road, includes a coaster bus, six mini buses, exercise books, mathematics sets, and school bags. The items are meant to support 11 primary schools across Lagos Island.

Oyekan said the initiative was part of efforts to give back to pupils as they begin the new academic session.

“We’ve been supporting the grassroots since the very beginning. Even before officially resuming office, we were able to distribute GCE forms. My students participating in the summer coaching lessons have now completed their program ahead of resumption.

“Today, we are distributing school materials and providing free school buses to ease their transportation. Altogether, 2,000 students are benefiting from the school materials and the free bus service,” Oyekan said.

He added that the council had recorded notable achievements within his first three months in office, including distribution of GCE forms, participation in summer coaching programmes, and ongoing renovation of schools.

While stressing that the most important investment lies in the students’ future, Oyekan urged them to remain focused, disciplined, and committed to their education.

The chairman also disclosed plans to establish a fire station on Lagos Island following a recent fire incident.

“Yesterday, we had the challenges of the fire incident in Lagos Island, which we are planning to have our own fire station very soon,” he said.

Oyekan further condemned the use of school premises as makeshift residences, citing Elegbata High School where over 500 people were reportedly found sleeping in the compound.

“For the fact that we have these schools, you don’t need to make it for a residence. At Elegbata, I went to Elegbata, over 500 people are sleeping in that school,” he noted.

The Executive Secretary of the Lagos Island Local Government Education Authority, Alhaji Qudus Abari, commended Oyekan for his universal basic education initiative, describing the council chairman as “a trailblazer who has redefined grassroots educational support.”

Also speaking, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos Island chapter, Alhaji Ganiu Sodiq, praised Oyekan’s leadership style, noting that “the council boss has demonstrated purposeful leadership and is faithfully delivering on his campaign promises.”

Vice Chairman of Lagos Island LG, Hon. Olatunji Issa Arulai Folami, praised the initiative, describing it as timely in the face of economic hardship.

He said: “The opportunity to continue the good work on a larger scale is here and we are happy that he has taken this programme to another level by the introduction of school buses to alleviate the transportation problem of our children.

“By virtue of the population of children in our local government, a lot of them were schooling outside our local government. And the mayor, in his magnanimity, decided to provide transportation assistance to them.”

In a heartwarming show of appreciation, Miss Zainab Olumegbon, a Primary Four pupil who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude to the council chairman.

“PTO (Prince Taiwo Oyekan) is a lover of children. He organises summer coaching for us and even gives scholarships,” she said, drawing applause from the audience.

The event drew an impressive array of dignitaries, including High Chief Soji Ajayi-Bembe, the Obanikoro of Lagos; a representative of the Oba of Lagos, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu; former Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. Oyinlomo Danmole; Deputy State Chairman of the APC, Hon. Moshood Mayegun; Alhaji Dosu Fashola; Alhaji Shakiru Giwa; as well as councillors, Lagos White Cap Chiefs, council management staff, teachers, pupils, community leaders and many others.