Fashola, Others Hail Adebutu for Projects @ St. Saviour’s School

Dame Abimbola Fashola, first lady of Lagos State on Tuesday joined host of others showering encomiums on Dr. Kessington Adebutu, popularly known as “Baba Ijebu”, for donating an Olympic-size swimming pool to St. Saviour’s School, Ebute-Metta, worth N60 million.

Fashola, while commissioning the facilities at the school premises, described the gesture as right step in the right direction and recognized that the donor has been supportive and pillar to many sectors in the State.

She said, “Daddy Adebutu donates without regrets, without looking back and has always promised to do more”.

On the swimming pool project, Fashola, the special guest at the occasion said, “You will agree with me that when swimming is included in a school’s curriculum it becomes a giant step to harmonizing families, the community and great support to sharpening the pupils’ skills. Pa Adebutu has been apt in supporting sporting events in the State as a whole and I use this opportunity to encourage others to show the spirit of philanthropy towards the development of facilities like this and others.

“I felicitate with St. Saviour’s School for this feat; I am particularly delighted that this school has kept the dream of the founding fathers thriving. The serene and clean environment is a testimony that the premises remain conducive for teaching and learning”.

On his part, Mr. Tomi Ogboi, chairman, Board of Management of the School, commended Adebutu family’s gesture; who having gone through the school deemed it worthy to give back to alma-mater.

“Our record shows a long association with Sir (Chief) Dr. Kesington Adebutu when he took the initial step of sending his first child here. Our records show that since then, eleven direct children and eight grand-children have passed through the portals of our school. During my meeting with him, he informed me that he was impressed with the quality of education here that he also ensured that many of his extended family came here on scholarship. The Adebutu family is worthy of emulation”.

Ogboi also gave an impressive record of achievements by the school in the last 64 years to include, “we are the first trust not-for-profit primary school in Nigeria. We led the way for other private primary schools to follow. Today, we look back and say without equivocation that we have made a positive on education in Nigeria.

“In addition, we have added a number of firsts. We were the very first primary school to be internet compliant. We were the very first to have a computer laboratory. We were the first to have a science laboratory. We were the first to teach ICT as a core subject in Nigeria. We are also the first to teach moral instructions as a core subject and teach music as a core subject. Our children sit for the Trinity College London School of Music Examinations. We are the very first primary school in Lagos State to support Public Primary Institutions in Lagos State through the donation of educational infrastructure and we will continue to do that,” he said.

Meanwhile, St. Saviour’s School, Ebute-Metta, remains the first primary school in Nigeria to introduce learnPad, an e-learning technology in the primary school sector.

“This technology, Ogboi said, “was different from other because it was developed by teachers for the pupils. It is none like other. The expert teachers know what the classroom requirements are and have gone ahead to develop the technology,” he explained.

Ogboi added that with the donation of the swimming pool, “We can now add to the portfolio of life skills which we teach our children here. From this term, swimming will be incorporated into the school curriculum of the school as a core subject such that every child will have a swimming lesson during school hours”.

He described the trend as a unique selling preposition of the school.

On learning about the penchant interest of the school management in building the pupils for greater impact on their family, and the society at large, Dr. Adebutu, the donor promised presented a cheque in the sum of N600,000 for the maintenance of the swimming pool facilities for a period of one year.

Like Dame Abimbola Fashola said, Dr. Adebutu pledged a sum of N100million in support of two major projects – the Ultra-modern sports centre and the New Nursery complex, to be embarked on by the school management soon.

He added that his motivation for giving to the school and others are based on the fact he made his money through Sports and appreciates good child upbringing.

Adebutu added that he believes “and trusts that incorporation of physical activities in the School’s daily programme cannot be overemphasized.

“Swimming is a healthy, educational activity for people of all ages; which I am sure the pupils will derive their own dosage in good time”.

He further said such activity keeps the heart rate up but takes some of the impact of stress off one’s body, builds endurance and supports musical strength and cardiovascular fitness.

Also speaking, Mrs. Ailsa Griffiths, the head Teacher, said, "‎the school has been consistent in its efforts towards providing Nigerians with high-quality education, blended with robust recreational and sports facilities to physically keep fit and be mentally alert."

Griffiths said the school follows the Nigerian curriculum programmes of study, while including element of the British curriculum and offering a wider international perspective to learning with sport inclusive

Her words: "St Saviour’s school offers a broad and balanced education, preparing our children to succeed in a challenging global community and choice of profession including taking to sports and entertainment which are invariably rewarding and credible".

She then reiterated the ‎school's mission statement, which, she said, is to "Provide a stimulating, conducive and child-friendly environment that will promote in the pupils, excellence In learning and character, employee job satisfaction and competency, healthy community relationship, while meeting global challenges."

To achieve this, Griffiths said St. Saviour’s School Ebute Metta strives to provide, for the children of Lagos, an affordable good quality education blended with sports in a safe, secure and stimulating environment.

"The school sets a high standard of achievement and all our pupils are encouraged to try their very best at everything they set out to do.

"The school seeks to provide opportunities for all children to enjoy an enriching and broad learning experience, where they can develop their l skills on their personal journey to reach their full and true potential," she explained.

She quickly included that the pupils of the school are made conscious of the world around them, how to communicate effectively, to co-operate with others and to adopt a positive approach to their learning.

"They are taught about making a valuable contribution to society and to accept their responsibility in the preservation of the environment for future generations."

Parents and other invited guests joined the board and management of the St. Saviour’s School in appreciating Dr. Adebutu’s family, while the pupils showed their swimming skills too.