By Pius Awunah
The Rotary Club of Abuja Lugbe Federal Housing Authority (FHA) last Friday commissioned several projects at the Local Education Authority (LEA) Primary School, Lugbe as part of its humanitarian services.
Speaking at the ceremony, the District Governor-elect, D 9127 Mr. Sikiru Adetona Owonikoko, who attended with his wife, Mrs. Owonikoko, an official of Rotary Club International, expressed satisfaction with the choice of LEA Primary School Lugbe, stating that it aligned with the club’s vision.
He commended the Rotary Club of Abuja, Lugbe FHA president, Rotarian Mr. Tunmise Adepoju, for planning ten projects to be carried out in the school, adding that the school was fortunate to have been selected for the projects.
He stated, “I want to thank you for adopting this school. Our core services include healthcare, education and literacy.
“The Rotary Club of Abuja Lugbe District’s adoption of this school is a welcome development.”
“This school needs a lot of support, and I can confidently say that it is lucky because the Rotary Club International will significantly improve lives here”,he added.
Speaking after the event, Owonikoko clarified that the Rotary Club does not focus solely on urban areas, contrary to some beliefs.
He noted that the Club was a global community of people dedicated to the welfare of humanity and to impact rural areas.
The President of the Rotary Club of Abuja Lugbe-FHA, Tunmise Adepoju, explained that the LEA Primary would benefit from ten projects identified through a needs assessment conducted by a team from the Club which highlighted the school’s urgent requirements.
Lamenting the deteriorated state of some of the school’s infrastructure, he assured the school management of the Rotary Club’s ability to intervene, adding that resources have been secured to implement the projects without delay.
He stated that the commissioning of the incinerator for waste disposal and the installation of road signs at the Police Sign board were significant milestones in the ten years since the establishment of the Rotary Club of Lugbe – FHA estate.
“Rotary is an international community of people who have united to improve the lives of others. In Nigeria, there are four districts, and in the entire northern Nigeria, there is one district minus three states.
“The Rotary Club of Abuja, Lugbe, was established ten years ago. We started with a small number of members, and we began by adopting the Tudun Wada community. After Tudun Wada, we moved to Sauka Kauta, and we have completed many projects in Sauka, Car Wash Lugbe, GSS Lugbe, and now we have adopted LEA Primary School, Lugbe”,he added.
Responding,the headmaster of the LEA school, Musa Mamman Chanchangi, recounted his initial interaction with the Rotary Club officials, saying he was initially skeptical when some of their representatives visited the school to assess its needs.
He said, “Some officers from the Rotary Club came to the school and asked if I was the Headmaster, to which I replied yes. They said they wanted to undertake a project at the school, representing the Rotary Club, which is what they do.”
“They explained that they improve lives in various ways across communities. Initially, I did not believe them because I did not know about Rotary Club International until they returned, and I felt they were bothering me because Rotary officials kept visiting.”
“One day, a kind woman from the Rotary came; I do not recall her position to inquire about our needs. I requested structural improvements because the government is under a lot of strain, and I would be grateful if they could assist. One day, they called and asked me to write a letter, which I did.”
“Finally, some people came and said they were there to fulfill the promises made in our previous discussions and would construct a block of classrooms. They also noted that our borehole was functional but would rehabilitate it to supply water to the toilets and other areas within the school.”
