A newly standard renovated and fully equipped multipurpose Science Laboratory has been commissioned at the Government Day Secondary School (GDSS), Okekere, Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State, marking a significant milestone in the school’s quest for quality science education.
The gesture, spearheaded by the Kazeem Adeoye Foundation (KAF), an initiative of school alumnus Engr. Kazeem Adeoye, is a direct response to the dilapidated state of science facilities that plagued his own student experience decades ago.
Engr. Adeoye, who passed through the school in 1989, revealed that his decision to invest in the laboratory was fueled by his “unpleasant” memory of his time at GDSS Okekere.
“It’s a long story, but I’ll make it brief. As I said, I passed through this school in 1989, and the experience I had was not pleasant,” he told . He recounted the dire lack of basic science equipment, noting that up until the time of their West African Examination Council (WAEC) exams, the school was forced to borrow laboratory apparatus from other school.
This deficit created a deep-seated desire in him to effect change. “It’s something I found while I was in school back then, but if I had the privilege, I want to change the story,” Engr. Adeoye explained. “Such that, the experience I had, the younger ones will not have that experience. They will be able to learn with the right equipment and also in a conducive learning environment.”
He stressed that the initiative was driven by a “genuine desire” to give back to society and was made possible through personal sacrifice and the support of donors, including Mr. Olufemi Adeyeti and others in his professional and academic circles. Adeoye emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “If you want to go far and ensure that you have, maybe, a meaningful impact, you have to go with others.”
The commissioning was done by the Executive Chairman of Ilorin South Local Government, Mr. Abdulmajeed Podo and Chairman of Ilorin West Local Government, Hon. Sheu Absulrahman Ladan.
Commending the efforts of the Foundation, Mr. Abdulmajeed Podo, the Executive Chairman of Ilorin South, reinforced the importance of giving back. “What this one means to us is that wherever you are, always remember where you were brought up; this man remembered his beginning and gave back to it,” he stated. He also promised government intervention, saying, “I’m going to do something meaningful for this school… something meaningful will be done in this school and for this community.”
Similarly, the Executive Chairman of Ilorin West, Sheu Absulrahman Ladan, praised the founder for remembering his roots. “It’s a very great achievement… able to remember where he came from, the grassroots, that’s most important… I would like people to emulate from what he is doing.”
In her welcome address, the Principal of GDSS Okekere, Hajia Ahmed S.A. Tejidini, expressed profound gratitude to KAF, describing the gesture as a “timely investment in the future of our children — the future scientists, doctors, engineers, and innovators of our dear state and nation at large.”
She highlighted that the foundation not only renovated the physical structure but also provided modern scientific equipment that is “WAEC standard”, essential for effective practical and theoretical learning. In addition to the lab, the Foundation demonstrated its commitment to educational support by paying the NECO examination fees for ten SS3 students during the 2024/2025 academic session, amounting to #400,000.
Addressing the students, Engr. Adeoye urged them to seize the opportunity provided by the new facilities. “They have to be more committed to learning, they have to be more dedicated to learning, and also make judicious use of the apparatus we have provided,” he advised. He also enjoined the teachers and school management “to also oversee the judicious use of this laboratory apparatus.”
Despite the significant donation, the Principal, Hajia Tejidini, acknowledged the government’s presence by appealing to the Commissioner for further intervention in renovating other dilapidated classrooms in the school, noting that their current state “poses a serious challenge to effective teaching and learning.”
