The Rotary Club of Ikeja has built and donated a brand-new vocational training centre to Ikeja Junior High School, Lagos, as part of its efforts to equip students with practical skills that will help them become self-reliant and embrace entrepreneurship. The facility, located within Education District VI, was officially handed over to the Lagos State Government on Tuesday during a commissioning ceremony held at the school premises.
The event was attended by several notable personalities including the Chairman of Lafarge Cement WAPCO Plc, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, and the District Governor of Rotary International District 9111, Dr Oluwole Kukoyi. The project is part of Rotary International’s core mission to support basic education and literacy while empowering young people to succeed in life.
The newly constructed vocational centre is aimed at teaching students skills such as barbing, shoemaking, tailoring, hairdressing, and other trades that can help them generate income and become self-sufficient after school. The President of Rotary Club of Ikeja, Mr Oluwakayode Situ, said the initiative was designed with the students’ future in mind, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds.
“If you give a man fish or bread, you have only fed him for that one time,” Situ said at the event. “But if you teach him how to fish or how to bake bread, then he will feed himself for life. A lot of these students come from homes where opportunities are limited, and this centre will give them the chance to learn skills they can use to support themselves and their families.”
Situ added that the vocational centre would be fully equipped with machines and tools by members of the Rotary Club and its partners. He also revealed that a psychotherapy programme has already started in the school to support students’ behavioural development and mental wellness.
During the commissioning, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, who officially opened the building, encouraged the students to take full advantage of the facility. He said the skills they will acquire from the centre can significantly improve their future and create better economic opportunities.
“This is not just a building; it is a life-changing opportunity for many of these children,” Osunkeye noted. “They should make the most of it and see it as a chance to shape their own destinies.”
Dr Oluwole Kukoyi, the District Governor of Rotary International District 9111, praised the Rotary Club of Ikeja for taking on what he described as a bold and transformative project. He said the centre perfectly fits Rotary’s mission to build stronger communities through education and empowerment.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education in Lagos State, Mr Jamiu Balogun, who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs Abisola Adegbite, expressed deep appreciation for the donation. She said it shows how communities can contribute meaningfully to educational development. “The club’s outstanding efforts to serve the community, especially through this CSR initiative, are truly appreciated,” Adegbite said. “This building will enrich the lives and enhance the futures of our students.”
Mrs Mojisola Yusuf, Tutor-General and Permanent Secretary for Education District VI, also noted that the training centre will help promote entrepreneurship among students. She said it aligns with Lagos State Government’s plan to integrate vocational education into public school curriculums.
The principal of Ikeja Junior High School, Mrs Ayo Quadri, expressed gratitude to the Rotary Club and assured that the centre will be maintained and used properly. “We are very happy for this generous gift. It will benefit our students now and in the years to come,” she said.
This project is part of a growing trend where private organisations, individuals, and community groups are stepping in to support public education in Nigeria. With youth unemployment still a major challenge across the country, the move to empower students with vocational skills is gaining more attention as a solution to economic struggles among young Nigerians.
