•Idanre Needs Team Work Spirit To Quicken Development – Benson Ajisegiri At His EBAF, Book Launch Ceremony

•Prof. Olugbenga Oke-Samuel Laments Poor Educational Facilities, Teachers In Idanre

For Idanre to march faster to desired state of development, team work, as against the present culture of individualism is highly required.

This was the view expressed by Engr. Dr. Benson Ajisegiri, FNSE, FNAH, the Chairman/Founder of Engr. Benson Ajisegiri Foundation (EBAF) and the author of “Public Service by Grace”, during its launching in Idanre yesterday with the creme de la creme of Idanre and society in attendance.

In his speech at the occasion, where His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Frederick Adegunle Aroloye, Arubiefin IV(JP) OFR, Owa of Idanre kingdom & Paramount ruler of Idanre Land who was represented by High Chief Charles Akinde, the Soore of Idanre kingdom, who also was the Chairman of the occasion and High Chief Christopher Akindolire, the Lisa of Idanre kingdom, ably represented by his wife, Hon. Princess Aderonke Akindolire, Engr. Ajisegiri expressed his unhappiness with the situation where politicians “are dropped out” of the political system instead of being encouraged to mature and rise to the top in their chosen career. He therefore called for team work which he said he had discovered in his trips around the globe where he had been opportune to visit to be the best option for rapid progress and development of communities like Idanre.

On the EBAF project which he said was a dream he had nurtured for about forty-five years coming true as he had since his Secondary School days looked up to and envisioned the day when he would use his personal resources to fund the educational programmes of many needy ones, having passed through tough formative years the hard way.

Earlier, Prof. Olugbenga Oke-Samuel, Dean of Faculty of Law, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, in his lecture titled, “The Imperative of supporting children Education in Idanre Local Government Area” traced the journey of formal education in Idanre and commended the communal approaches to funding education in those days than the contemporary times when government had neglected education by failing to provide adequate and well trained teachers as well as their failure to provide basic educational tools and infrastructures despite the importance of education as a tool for liberation from poverty, ignorance as well as a means to make individuals realize their optimum potentials in life. He commended Engr. Ajisegiri for the foundation and noted him as a great inspiration and excellent role model to many Idanre students of their heydays with many of them striving to emulate his academic prowess and thus achieved great result.

The Law Don Also said, the philanthropic lifestyles of Engr. Ajisegiri also got into his radar as he revealed how the Otunba Atayese had mentored numerous Idanre indigenes and been taking noteworthy parts in developmental programmes of Idanre Land, thus branding him as a great philanthropist and humane person never tired of helping others. To revamp the sad story of education in Idanre, he suggested that government should fund education well with active participation of the communities while Clubs should take a school as their responsibility in terms of infrastructural provision etc. Still, he sided with active utilization of vernacular in our schools, unlike the position of High Chief Akindolire, who in his message, had called for its total ban in schools so as to enhance “spoken English”.

Prof. Oke-Samuel opined that the Chinese do not speak English and they are not fairing badly in the world of technology, economy etc across the world.

The launching of Engineer Benson Ajisegiri Foundation (EBAF), saw many students and undergraduates benefited with monies covering their school fees and school materials. Thirty (30) best students picked across the ten (10) secondary schools in Idanre Local Government went home with awards of money grant while two (2) higher institution students on distinction CGPA return back to their schools with the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (#250,000) each as grants for their school and accommodation.

Speaking on behalf of other awardees, Master Thomas Ayodeji Ogunmakinju, a 500L Distinction student of Metallogical & Materials Engineering in FUTA, thanked the founder and Trustees of EBAF for coming to their aids and helping them to push forward on their academics. He noted that the fund will go a long way in stabilizing them in school and prayed God will continue to strengthen the foundation as they continue to help others. He also call on other important personalities in Idanre to remember the community as there are still many other students who sincerely need help at different levels of their academic life.

Mr. Deji Adebayo in his review of the autobiography, “Public Service by Grace” written by Engr. Benson Ajisegiri, said the only flaw he saw in the 178 page book with ten chapters was that “it never failed to keep teaching one thing or another all through”.

The Abuja based Multimedia journalist of Idanre parentage recommended the book for everybody, especially for budding youths because of the messages it passed almost subconsciously as it taught that it is always ideal to be focused, dogged and be prepared with vision of what to become in life and work towards such goals without looking for short cuts. He praised the author for the way it covered virtually all his journey through life to date from his early chidhood, school days, entrance into civil service (which was later revealed to have been ignited by his bosom friend, Engr. Bright Akinuli), the meeting and marriage with his life partner, Elder Mrs Ronke Ajisegiri, challenges in life. Deji summarized that the book taught that diligence paid much in life.

Mrs Yemisi Oyawale Olorunnusi, an astute banker of Makanre descent, told our Correspondent that the programme of EBAF was very nice and advised Engr. Ajisegiri to continue as God will surely water the seed he had planted because many Idanre students would benefit from it as it will let them know that there is future for them outside the cocoa buying business and also realize that “without education, you are going nowhere”.

The Principal of Ilemobola High School, Idanre, Mrs Olamide Osagie, thanked the founder of EBAF, Engr. Benson Ajisegiri and opined that the students and pupils from poor families would benefit from the foundation immensely. She said she hoped the “legacy would continue to linger in Idanre kingdom”.

Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were Chief Sir. Dr. Kola Ademujimi, Ven. Ayorinde Agboola, Dr. Olu Agosile, Hon. Taye Akinyele, Hon. Dejo Adenoye, Hon. Igbekele Akinyele, Hon. Ronke Kone Akinkuowo, Mr. Olawole Omokinde, Hon. Mayokun Akinmoladun, Mr. Tope Adesoji (Tolu Rentals) Hon. Kelvin Jibike Babalola, who represented Hon. Festus Olarewaju Akingbaso, the MHR representing Idanre/Ifedore FC, Mr. Segun Adeoye and many numerous others who enjoyed the programme abled anchored by MC Lanre Kehinde Adesuyan who thrilled the gathering with his diction and rib cracking jokes, his trademark.

Other photos…