The Rotary Club of Ibadan Jericho Metro has renovated a block of three classrooms at St. Brigide’s Secondary School, Mokola, Ibadan, as part of its efforts to promote basic education and literacy.
The club also renovated and equipped a physiotherapy block at Oni Memorial Children’s Hospital, Ibadan, as part of its commitment to improving child healthcare in the community.
Speaking during the commissioning of the projects, President of the Rotary Club of Ibadan Jericho Metro, Rotarian Lara Oluborode, said the classroom renovation was part of the club’s phase-one intervention to provide conducive learning environments for pupils and students.
She said the project, which cost about N6 million, was funded through a Rotary District 9126 grant and contributions from the club.
According to her, the work included complete roofing with aluminium sheets, repairs to classroom floors and repainting of the building.
Oluborode said, “What we are doing today at St. Brigide’s Secondary School is part of phase one of a project. We have completely renovated a block of three classrooms, including the roof, floors, painting and other facilities, to provide the children with a conducive environment for learning.
“We go around communities and identify situations where we can make a difference. Today, I am happy that we have been able to provide this basic need for the school.”
On the physiotherapy facility, she said the club identified the need for a larger and more comfortable space for children receiving treatment.
She explained that the project involved renovation of the roof, ceiling, electrical installations and other structural works to provide a suitable environment for physiotherapy treatment.
“We are passionate about helping society and making the world a better place. Child health is one of the areas we are committed to, and we wanted the children to receive their physiotherapy treatment in a comfortable environment,” she said.
The Rotary president appealed to the government and relevant authorities to ensure proper maintenance of the facilities, stressing that effective partnership would encourage the club to undertake more projects.
She said, “Once we rebuild these structures, we appeal to the government to help us maintain them. When we see that the government is ready to assist in ensuring that the projects we have done are maintained, we will be encouraged to do more.”
The immediate past District Governor of Rotary District 9126, Rotarian Funke Akpo Ken Batife, urged the beneficiary school and other institutions to take proper care of the facilities.
Batife said maintaining the projects would encourage Rotary to continue investing in communities.
The District Governor, Rotarian Olaniyi Okin, said Rotary was committed to improving the wellbeing of people in society.
He urged the management of the beneficiaries to secure and properly maintain the equipment and facilities provided by the club.
Okin said Rotary was not a political organisation but a service club committed to improving lives and contributing to community development.
The Principal of St. Brigide’s Secondary School, Mokola, Mrs Olayinka Adebayo, commended the Rotary Club for its continued support to the school.
Also, Head of Oni Memorial Children’s Hospital stated that the commissioning of a physiotherapy block is the opening of a new door of hope and opportunity for the children they serve.
He disclosed that as a children’s hospital, “We see many children who require physiotherapy and rehabilitation services everyday. With the increasing demand for these services, our available space had become inadequate. This intervention by the Rotary Club of Ibadan Jericho Metro has come at a very important.”
The Commissioner for Health, Oyo State, represented by Dr Olufemi Adesanya, lauded the collaboration between the government and the Club as a positive development, saying the gesture will go a long way in improving health care in the community.