“The boat we are inaugurating today is not a symbol of luxury. It is a symbol of our commitment to ensuring that the challenges of transportation do not become a barrier to your education,” he said.
Idowu urged the pupils and students to take their education seriously and make responsible choices.
“Respect your parents and your teachers, be disciplined, stay away from drugs and other harmful influences. Stay away from cultism, dream big, work hard and believe in yourselves,” he said.
The chairman thanked individuals, organisations and partners who contributed to the initiative, including the Nigerian Ports Authority, Ijegun Egba Tank Farms Association, Medlog Transport and Logistics Nigeria Limited, AKT Lighting and ATBOWATON.
He also expressed appreciation to sponsors, donors, volunteers, parents and other individuals who supported the project financially, materially or through other forms of assistance.
According to him, their contributions had helped make the initiative possible and would contribute to improving the educational experience of pupils and students in the area.
Idowu also honoured the memory of the late sponsor, Alhaji Shafideen Kareem, Baale of Origerigan Zone 2, whose support included the provision of lunch bags and water bottles for pupils in the communities.
Representing the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth Development and Social Services, Mobolaji Ogunlende, the Director in the Ministry, Folasayo Olukosi, commended the youths in the area for the initiative.
Olukosi said youth development should involve creating opportunities for young people to thrive and contribute to their communities.
He noted that the association had identified a challenge affecting pupils and students in the area and taken steps to provide a practical solution.
Also speaking, the Supervisor for Agriculture in Oriade LCDA, Adewale Ojewusi, who represented the council chairman, Rasak Olojede, commended the youth association for providing the boat.
Ojewusi urged the pupils and students to make proper use of the facility and protect it from damage.
The lawmaker representing Amuwo-Odofin Constituency 2 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rauf Age-Sulaiman, also urged the pupils to remain disciplined and uphold the values taught by their parents.
He encouraged them to conduct themselves responsibly and allow good character to distinguish them as students.
In his keynote address, the Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, Olalekan Adigun, said government at all levels needed the support and cooperation of community leaders and young people to sustain educational and community development initiatives.
Adigun commended the leadership of the association for identifying the transportation challenge and providing a boat to support pupils and students in the riverine communities.
He urged the beneficiaries to take good care of the boat and ensure that it remained available for its intended purpose.
The inauguration was attended by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Abdul Olayinka; the Iyaloja General of Ijegun Ibassa Egba, Alhaji Tawakalitu Balogun; parents, guardians and other community stakeholders.
The initiative is expected to ease transportation challenges for pupils and students who rely on waterways to access their schools and strengthen community efforts to promote access to education in Lagos’ riverine communities.
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