Pablos Cabbals,a Spanish composer and musician noted for his intellectual power,compassion and social activism once said “The Love of one’s country is a noble thing but why should love stop at the border? Every person has a native town,where their roots run deepest and it’s there we can make the greatest impact”
This impressive marble quote has become the guiding philosophy of one of the great sons of Ijio town under Iwajowa local government area of oyo state,Sheikh Ahmed AminuLLahi Arikoserere.For more than twenty years now and still counting, the proprietor of Arikoserere international group of schools has committed himself to great philanthropic activities that had empowered thousands of sons and daughters of ijio and her neighbours, manifesting in cash,materials and vocational tools that improved the social economic lives of the recipients.
To show a further expression of his love for ijio Town,the Islamic scholar and founder of ARIKOSERERE PHILLANTROPHY organisation has embarked on gigantic capital projects valued at hundreds of million naira which upon completion will change the entire landscape of the town situated within a hilly topography amidst a natural beautiful scenery.
The arrow head of these projects is a two storey building and three floor structure that will become the first private higher institution in the town.The U shaped structure has 39 classrooms, 12 staffrooms, space for laboratories and three medical rooms to cater for health needs of the educational community. This is in addition to a multipurpose hostel that will be built for the students who wish to patronise school accommodation.
While addressing a group of stakeholders at Ijio on the need for unity among themselves so as to face the task of building the community, Sheikh Ahmed Arikoserere spoke on what may likely come up”The school we are planning may be a college of education, a nursing school or a private university. We are still negotiating with lots of interested agencies across various countries who are willing to support our vision to deliver a world class higher institution to our town,which will benefit our local government, oyo state and Nigeria as a whole”
The higher institution will also enjoy the privilege of having a mini sports stadium of it’s own to promote sporting activities among schools in the local government and possibly attract state sports competitions in the future.
The project also has a building estate which currently has 10, one and two, bedroom self contained apartments with each equipped with a study room.
Occupying a huge expanse of land spread up to several acres of land,The school environment also has a restaurant for easy feeding and an ultra modern mosque for spiritual needs of those in the town already named IJIO MESO MOSQUE..
According to oral tradition,Ijio town was founded by three settlers,Olukan from Ogbooro,Shabiowusu from Shabe ( Benin Republic) and Abogunrin from Oyo.
Rich in cultural heritage with annual traditional festivals such as Oro,Ogun,Sango and Egungun,Ijio town is also known for high agricultural production in both cash and food crops.
By : Tunde olaore.
