Lagos denies selling Memorial School

Eromosele Ebhomele

The Lagos state government on Tuesday denied rumours that it has Clementine Ajigbeda Memorial School located at Agege Motor Road area of the state.

The denial came from the Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Ganiyu Oluremi Sopeyin when he led a team of board members and top management staff of the board on a fact-finding visit to the school.

It would be recalled that there had been reports that a non-governmental organisation known as Bethesda Home For the Blind successfully dislodged the original students and took over the school premises located at Moshalashi bus stop area of the Agege motor road in Lagos contrary to the vision and purpose for establishing the school by late Mrs. Clementina Ajigbeda in the 1940s.

The school was originally established to educate the girl-child.

On visiting the school, Dr. Sopeyin was able to broker a peaceful resolution in the matter asking that both parties involved stop their media campaigns.

Speaking on the issue, the proprietress of the non-governmental Ooganisation, Mrs. China Obama, said the educational facility was given to them for use by the former Chairman of Surulere Local Government, Mr Tajudeen Ajide when they had problems at their former location.

She disclosed that there was never a time they laid claim to the ownership of the land, adding that, they are prepared to cooperate with the government on the issue.

A representative of the Williams family, Mr. Dapo Williams, stated that the matter was already in court, but that he would not rule out an amicable settlement based on the consent of the family.

Sopeyin thus advised both parties to maintain peace and order, stressing that, the late Madam Ajigbeda (née Williams) was a woman of peace whose passion for education was so great.

He maintained that it is government’s responsibility to take care of all and sundry and that the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is an all-inclusive government that is ready and willing to take care of everybody in the state in an atmosphere of peace and love.

He also pleaded for an out of court settlement of the issue to preserve the peaceful and loving memory of the founder of the school just as he maintained that nobody can sell the school or any other school in Lagos.

“It is not in our character to sell schools in Lagos. Our aim is to provide qualitative and quantitative education in a conducive atmosphere in the state,” he said.