… Monarch donates school to Lagos State Government, visits students dressed in uniform to inspire hope
By Rashidat O. Okunlade | Lagos
For more than six decades, children in Iba had to leave their community and travel to neighbouring towns to access secondary education. Today, that story is changing, thanks to the remarkable intervention of the Oniba of Iba Kingdom, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Sulaimon Adesina Raji Ashade I.
In a symbolic and emotional gesture that has captured the hearts of residents, the monarch recently visited the first secondary school he personally built in the community, proudly dressed in a school uniform.
The traditional ruler reportedly acquired the land, constructed a modern 24-classroom school, and handed the facility over to the Lagos State Government to provide children with access to free education.
A Historic Milestone
For a community that had endured over 60 years without a public junior or senior secondary school, the intervention represents more than the construction of a school. It is a significant investment in the future of generations of children who would otherwise have had to travel outside their community to continue their education.
Residents have welcomed the development with excitement and gratitude, describing it as a historic achievement and a new chapter in the educational development of Iba.
The monarch’s appearance in school uniform has also become a powerful symbolic reminder that leadership goes beyond occupying a throne. It is also about creating opportunities and building a better future for the people.
A Royal Visit with a Powerful Message
The visit to the newly built Oba Sulaimon Ashade Junior Secondary School and Senior Secondary School was more than a ceremonial inspection; it was a moment of mentorship and inspiration.
During the visit, His Imperial Majesty encouraged the students to remain focused, disciplined, and dedicated to their education, reminding them that education is the foundation of success and the key to achieving their dreams.
He emphasized that without education, achieving great heights in life can be very difficult. He therefore urged the students not to take their academic opportunities for granted but to study hard and prepare themselves for a brighter future.
In another remarkable gesture, Oniba Ekun promised to support the students in their educational journey, demonstrating that his love for his people goes beyond royal ceremonies to meaningful investment in the lives and future of the younger generation.
Why It Matters
The story of Iba Kingdom is a profound reminder of the critical role traditional institutions can play in national development. In a country where public infrastructure, especially in education, is often stretched thin, the intervention of the Oniba of Iba is a masterclass in community-driven philanthropy.
For over 60 years, the lack of a secondary school in Iba meant that many children from low-income families were effectively denied access to continuing education. The cost of transportation to neighbouring towns, combined with other socioeconomic pressures, often forced students to drop out. By building a 24-classroom school and handing it over to the Lagos State Government, the monarch has removed a structural barrier to education for an entire generation.
The decision to hand the facility over to the government is particularly strategic. It ensures that the school will be staffed with qualified teachers, follow the state curriculum, and remain accessible to all children at no cost. It is a sustainable model of public-private partnership that other traditional rulers and community leaders across Nigeria should emulate.
But perhaps the most powerful aspect of this story is the image of the king in a school uniform. It is a gesture that shatters the barrier between royalty and the common citizen. It sends a message to the children that their education is valued by the highest authority in the land. It tells them that the king is not just a ruler on a throne, but a partner in their journey to the classroom and beyond.
In a nation grappling with an education crisis, the Oniba of Iba has shown that true leadership is not just about what you demand from the government, but what you contribute to your community.
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