AJEGUNLE; Administrative headquarters of Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State, is no doubt a microcosm of Nigeria, since almost all tribes that make up the Nigerian nation are represented therein.



The Ajeromi Axis of Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area has Nine recognized Communities. And each of the community has class 2 recognized Chief as Baale that is on the monthly payroll of the Local Government.



For this discourse we will have to explain that the Ajeromi axis stands on two legs; Ajegunle and Araromi, thus the name; AJEROMI. In the Ajegunle segment that belongs to the Ojora family, (except Awodi-ora) there are the following communities; Ajegunle; Onibaba; Alayabiagba; Aiyetoro; and Awodi-ora Alayabiagba is the oldest of the aforementioned communities, because, other communities were said to have came into being through Alayabiagba.



In the last interview of this media held with the immediate past Chief OJORA of Lagos, High Chief Lawal Akapo (Blessed Memory) he told this media that the first tenants they had in Ajegunle were from the Urhobo tribe, that was between 1933 and 1934.

How he puts it; “Urhobos were those that first built houses in Ajegunle what affected them was their use of Bamboos for their buildings, thus, there were frequent fire outbreaks. And people were afraid to reside with them”.

According to him, the name Ajegunle was given to the community by late Pa Adeyemo a man from Ogbomosho in present day Osun State.



Chief Alapo, then said; “In the begining Apapa Elemu was where people resided, but the coming of Naval base and the Industrialization of the area compelled them to move to Alayabiagba, Pa Adeyemo was one of those that migrated from Apapa Elemu to Alayabiagba. As a technician, Pa Adeyemo always travelled to Gambia, and on return from one of his trips, the Federal Government Press have been established in part of Alayabiagba, ironically Pa Adeyemo’s farmland was affected. Thus, the then Ojora asked him to relocate to a spot presently known as Baale Adeyemo street.

And he started farming on the spot, at a place whenever passersby asked him why he choose middle of the bush for farming? He used to tell them; “Ibi ti Aje mi gunle si re” (meaning, this is where my wealth stands) today, the trending city with about 18 Streets, namely; Orodu, Nosamu, Baale, Goriola, Abukuru, Sidi, Tesi, Rufai, Olowojheunjeje, Boundary road, Cemetry, Ojora, Iyalode, Achakpo, Uzor, Rasaki and Mission, has popularly overtaken other communities.



In the view of the Baale of Ajegunle who have been on the throne for over 30 years, Chief Sheu Salami Gbegbeleku, everywhere is Ajegunle to visitors and strangers.

His words; “The Ajegunle Community has become so popular that from the Coca-Cola bridge everywhere is Ajegunle, everywhere is Ajegunle to them. But I know my boundry. I share boundry with the Oluwas at Ayeke bridge.



I share boundary with Onibaba at Achapo. I share boundary with Alayabiagba at Mobil road. I share boundary with Aiyetoro at a spot where according to late Lawal Akapo that caused the removal of Pa Adeyemo as Baale of Ajegunle.

Explaining further, Pa Akapo said there was frequent fight between Pa Adeyemo and Pa Fakunle, over boundary line between Ajegunle and the Fakunles, so the then Ojora of Lagos planted a tree at a spot and announced it as boundary between Ajegunle and Fakunles; Pa Fakunle agreed, and said; “Aiye wa ti toro”. But, Pa Adeyemo disagreed, that provoked the then Ojora and he removed Adeyemo, and appointed Pa Omosebi, a man from Igbira in present day Kogi State, as Baale of Ajegunle. He reigned and died as Baale, and was buried in Ajegunle, I also share Boundary with Layeni Community at Okoya.



It is worthy to explain that the rascality of yesteryears attracted what may their be called notoriousity to Ajegunle, and was expected to drag the community down, was however used to leap into stardom.

It is also an accepted fact that against all odds, and their belief that Ajegunle people are “Kunors Kunors” the community smashed the music world with stars like Daddy Showkey, Daddy fresh, Baba Fryo, etc.



In the Soccer World, he Community produced too many soccer wizards. Samson Siasia, Taribo West, Henry Nwosu, Tarela Okorowanta, etc.



But Alhaji Adekunle, a record seller is of the opinion that our stars would have ruled the world. If Government was friendly to our environment.



His words; “A look at our environment, mosquitoes were produced from our stagnant canals at Okorogbo, Okoya, in short our community is surrounded with canals that are not flowing. Mosquitoes bite us and deposit Malaria parasite in us, which had killed many of our potential stars, since government treat us with contempt and make us objects of scorn”



He further stated that there is hope that the Ambode’s administration will do something for our community because, we see his prompt response to our cry of agony. Malik Joshua a Computer Engineer, said Ajegunle can get more wizkids, if the Ambode Government takes the bull by the horn through educational encouragement. To him, Ajegunle students need sincere encouragement, such as bringing secondary education closer to them



He also said.; “Student from a poverty ridden home may not be encouraged to go to school, because transport fare to schools from Ajegunle and back home in Ajegunle is N100, and those who cant afford it will have to trek many kilometers to either Awodi-ora, Araromi, or Tolu, such, to him, is not encouraging, especially to a youth who don’t even have hope of meeting lunch at home.



The Government needs to assist the common people.



Maryam Essien who claimed to be an educationist wondered why 31 secondary schools were situated inside Tolu School complex.



In her view, such encourages the frequent clashes among students of the various schools.



In the Ajegunle situation, she said; “the community that has about 6 primary schools is ideal to have one or two Secondary Schools for Students, especially for them to access Junior Secondary Education.

Kamal Ayinde Bayewu, a Fellow, Chartered Institute of Bankers (FCIB), erstwhile Executive Chairman Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government, admitted, when he said; “it’s true that there is no Secondary School in Ajegunle. The pupils in Ajegunle go to Awodi-ora, Ijora, Araromi, Apapa, or Tolu complex to access Secondary Education. This would have been corrected but because of non availability of vacant land in Ajegunle. The best that can be done which we tried was to convert one or two of the present primary 70*41*78 schools to accommodate roi e the Secondary Sc hool. For example, th Local Authority school at Ugbewankwo and the CKS at Orodu Streets can be converted to Secondary School(s) in Ajegunle Community”



Youthful Amodu Shakiru who is the Public Relations Officer of Lagos State Fire Service is of the view that the Akin Ambode’s administration is trending and if the leaders and people of Ajegunle have a sincere need for a Secondary School, they should approach His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode there is the likelihood that we will get a positive response, since he is a community oriented Administrator.



http://thecommonersnewspaper.com/2016/08/15/alarm-dey-no-secondary-school-inside-ajegunle-by-jim-suleman/#


Mods Please help save secondary education in Ajegunle