Sen. Sharafadeen Alli, an APC chieftain, and Prof. Adeolu Akande, a political scientist, on Thursday charged Nigerians to invest more in self development and community service.
They gave the charge during the 60th anniversary lecture of Igboora High School in Igboora, Oyo State.
The school was founded in 1963 through the efforts of community leaders and other indigenes.
The week-long series of activities marking the 60th anniversary is sponsored by the Igboora High School Old Students Association (IHSOSA).
Alli, who represents Oyo South in the Senate and was chairman of the occasion, stressed the need for Nigerians to contribute their quota to the development of their respective communities.
”No society will develop without strong commitment, dedication and contributions from the citizenry,” he said.
The lawmaker assured the people of his readiness to facilitate a project in the school within the next 18 months.
Alli pledged to also ensure the completion of the abandoned power line project in the zone, thanking the people for their great contribution to his electoral victory.
Akande, who was the guest lecturer, urged the people to identify roles they can play to further the development of their respective communities.
The former Chairman of Board of Commissioners, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), in his lecture entitled “Community Service and Human Development” said there was hope of a greater rewarding future.
He said this would be found when parents invest in their children.
Akande, who was represented by Dr Kunle Ajisebiyawo, said the highest community service was self development, adding that everyone was needed by their respective communities.
The professor of political science said one of the greatest challenges of the country today was education, which he described as the backbone of every meaningful development.
“There’s hope of a better future in every investment in our children. Education is the solution to poverty, insecurity, environmental degradation and community development.
“The greatest road to success was hard-work and discipline. We embrace these and identify where we can contribute to our community,” he said.
Akande urged the people to participate more in volunteering and support programs for the greater good of the society, saying government alone cannot do everything.
“When you build a better society, it will come back to serve you. When you abandon the society, it will also abandon you in time of need,” he said.
Chief Gbade Akinteye, the IHSOSA National President, in his remarks, said the topic of the lecture was apt and timely, adding that building the country required collective effort.
Akinteye, who is also the Rector of Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic in Eruwa, said investment in self development and community service would go a long way in solving societal challenges.
Earlier, the Olu-Aso of Iberekodoland, Oba Adedamola Badmus, had said the school was built through strong dedication, commitment and contributions of their forefathers.
He said the people needed to emulate these great qualities of their forefathers by returning home to contribute to community development.
The traditional ruler called on Alli to facilitate the completion of the abandoned powerline project and the Lagos-Sokoto expressway which terminated in the Ibarapa zone of the state.
”Alli is a man of his words, and I am confident in his ability to take Ibarapa zone of the state out of its various challenges,” he said.
Mr Akinyemi Akinlabi, the Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, commended Akande for his unrelenting efforts at taking the state and Nigeria to greater heights.
Akinlabi said no contributions to community service would go unrecognized, adding that those who had contributed to the school would be honoured on Saturday during the grand finale.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, as well as old students of the school from home and abroad.
Earlier, Akande who was represented then by Mr Niyi Adeagbo, had inaugurated 100 laptops he facilitated for Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora (OYSCATECH).
