By Kayode Olabanji, Okitipupa

Residents of Ogo-Oluwayo Community in Etikan Ward, Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State, have urgently called on the Ondo State Government, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) to renovate their deteriorating primary school, which has suffered years of neglect.

They are also appealing for the provision of potable water and solar street lights to address critical infrastructural deficits affecting their daily lives.

During a community meeting held in a church auditorium, members of the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) and community elders voiced their frustration over prolonged government inaction.

Speaking on the dire state of the school, community members described the learning environment as unsafe. The school building has leaking roofs, weak structures, and is in a general state of disrepair.

During the rainy season, classes are frequently disrupted due to water seeping through the damaged roof, while strong winds shake the unstable building.

Pupils are forced to sit on the floor due to a lack of chairs and desks. Additionally, the school suffers from a shortage of modern textbooks and lacks a functional VIP toilet for both students and staff.

The shortage of qualified teachers is another pressing concern, forcing parents to hire and pay teachers from their own pockets.

Beyond the poor state of the school, the community also faces a severe water crisis. A visit by our correspondent revealed that residents rely on a single well that produces unsafe drinking water, posing significant health risks.

The well is insufficient to serve over 5,000 households, particularly during the dry season when it takes up to 12 hours to refill. The only available well is located 1 km away from the school, making access even more challenging for students and teachers.

The community is urgently requesting the construction of a borehole to provide safe drinking water for both the school and residents.

Additionally, the absence of solar street lights has left the community vulnerable to nighttime criminal activities. Criminals have taken advantage of the darkness to steal transformers and electrical cables, further worsening the community’s infrastructural challenges. Residents believe that installing solar street lights will enhance security and deter criminal activities.

Speaking on behalf of the community, Primate Dr. C.I. Ikuesan passionately appealed to:
Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa (Governor of Ondo State)
Hon. Otito Atikase (Ondo State Representative, NDDC Board)
Princess Abike Ilawole (Caretaker Chairman, OSOPADEC)
Hon. Princess Olawumi Fayemi-Obayelu (Chairman, House Committee on Social Affairs & Community Development).

The people of Ogo-Oluwayo remain hopeful that the O’Datiwa O’Dirorun initiative and the Renewed Hope Agenda will bring much-needed development to their community.

Ikuesan urged the government and relevant agencies to take swift action to prevent further suffering and ensure their children receive quality education in a safe environment.