Latter-Day Saints renovates Ogun school, hand over classroom

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has renovated and handed over two two-storey classroom blocks to Salawu Abiola Comprehensive High School, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The renovated facilities and other donations, which comprised 20 classrooms, 36 toilets, 100 desks and chairs for students and 20 sets of furniture for teachers, were delivered alongside extensive rehabilitation of external structures.

Stakeholders described the gesture as a landmark intervention that would significantly ease overcrowding and improve teaching and learning conditions in the school.

According to church officials, the project was independently funded through donations from members of the Church in Nigeria and across the globe.

At the inauguration and handover, the Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry for Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Oluwatosin Oloko, praised the church for complementing the efforts of the state government in addressing infrastructural gaps in public schools.

“The essence of today’s event is to hand over these facilities to the school. The church has provided two blocks of classrooms, complete with toilets and furniture and even renovated the external buildings. This is a remarkable contribution that we truly appreciate and we will not take it for granted,” Oloko said.

The permanent secretary assured stakeholders that maintenance would be prioritised, saying, “Maintenance must be our watchword. After today’s ceremony, I will meet with parents, community leaders and other stakeholders to ensure ownership and proper management of this facility.”

Also speaking, the General Authority Seventy of the church, Elder Adeyinka Ojediran, said the donation was in line with the church’s global mission of service and commitment to education.

“As a church, we preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and part of that is rendering service to mankind. Education is central to growth, Jesus Himself grew in wisdom and stature, so we believe strongly in creating an environment where young people can learn and thrive,” he said.

Ojediran explained that the project was rooted in the church’s doctrine that learning is both a spiritual and humanitarian imperative. Citing scripture, he said education provides a pathway to dignity, self-reliance and service, helping young people to break cycles of poverty and build cycles of hope.

“A block of classrooms is just a structure. What matters most is the quality of education inside. We call on the teachers to use these facilities effectively to raise leaders for their homes, communities and the nation,” he added.

He also emphasised that the project was not government-funded but made possible through the sacrifices of the church members worldwide. “This is not just about buildings. It is about discipleship in action. When we are in the service of our fellow men, we are only in the service of God.”

Adding a student’s perspective, the national president of the Salawu Abiola Comprehensive High School Old Students’ Association, Gbenga Oyerinde, described the inauguration as a landmark achievement and a turning point in the institution’s history.

“The last major structure here was put up more than four decades ago. Today, we are witnessing a new foundation that will serve generations of students to come. My national executive and I are highly excited and proud to be part of this history,” he said.

He urged current students and alumni to remain committed to giving back to the institution, stressing that the project was about contributing to humanity and building a foundation for continuous growth.

Stakeholders described the renovation as a “restoration of hope,” noting that the school, founded in 1979 and formalised in 1983, had suffered years of infrastructural decay. Broken windows, missing doors, dilapidated toilets and overcrowded classrooms had made effective teaching and learning difficult.

The intervention, therefore, was seen as going beyond infrastructure. According to teachers and parents, it represented renewed dignity for staff, safer learning conditions for children and a sign of hope for families and the community.

The event ended with expressions of gratitude from school authorities, parents, alumni and students who pledged to honour the legacy of the project by keeping it in good condition.