The annual merit award hosted by the Mushin Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) under the leadership of the Education Secretary, Princess Olu Akinlude has been a great source of motivation to stakeholders and individuals who have been impacting positively primary education in Mushin and Odiolowo Ojuwoye.

This year's event was hosted on Wednesday, 13 March 2024 at the LGEA secretariat which was graced by dignitaries in and out of the Mushin and Odiolowo Ojuwoye community. and were honoured with an Award of Recognition for their contribution toward improving primary schools.

Among the dignitaries honoured were Hon. Emmanuel Bamigboye, the Executive Chairman of Mushin LGA, Hon. Rasaq Ajala, Executive Chairman of Odiolowo Ojuwoye LCDA, and others include individuals, organisations, teaching, and non-teaching staff as well as outstanding pupils.

Speaking with Mushines News, the Education Secretary made it known that the process of selecting the awardees were rigorous so that the best of them were given the awards which was to motivate them to do more.

"This event is to motivate those who are doing great in developing our primary education so that they can do more and this has impacted the performance of our pupils and teachers, and to tell others who are lagging to step up so that they also can be rewarded in the future". She said.

Hon. Emmanuel Bamigboye, Mushin LGA  Council Chairman present with his Vice, Hon Tunbosun Aruwe, the leader of the House, Hon Wale Ayegbayo, Hon Rasaq Ajala, the Council Chairman of Odiolowo Ojuwoye LCDA ably represented by his Vice, Hon Seyi Jakande along with the LCDA Leader of the Legislative Arm, Hon. Rilwan Ajenifuja, management staff and education department of both Mushin LGA and Odiolowo Ojuwoye LCDA and a host of other dignitaries like HRH Oba Tajudeen Odubiyi, the Onitire of Itire land, Hon..Falana, the Permanent Board member of LASUBEB, Hon. Toyon Aremu, Senior Special Adviser on Transportation, Councilors, and Supervisory Councilors were present.

Mushin Council Chairman addressing the gathering praised the host, Princess Olu Akinlude for her passion for developing primary education in Mushin and Odiolowo Ojuwoye.

"I want to thank the host of the event Princess Olu Akinlude for being passionate about the development of primary education in Mushin and Odiolowo Ojuwoye.

"We appreciate your partnership with us to make our primary school better, and your prompt reminder on projects to be done in our primary schools, when we would have forgotten due to pressure from other sectors because we have to build roads and provide for health sector and so on,thank you very much our Princess, 

He added that the major challenge he's faced with as the grassroots government in Mushin is that Mushin has the highest number of primary schools in Nigeria, that having 50 primary schools to care for is not a small thing and he's trying his best to raise the bar by building schools, provision of GCE and JAMB forms annually to about 300 indigent students, distribution for free exercise books to all pupils periodically, distribution of first aids box to all the 50 schools and school bags to pupils, bursary awards to tertiary students, employment of night security guards in all the primary schools, also set to employ more teachers and so on.

Presenting the award of recognition to Mushin Council Chairman was Hon. Falana who acknowledge the good works the Chairman has been doing and receiving the award, the Council Chairman appreciated it and said, "This is for us to do more and we will do more to make our primary schools better,".

Receiving the award on behalf of Odiolowo Ojuwoye LCDA, Council Boss, Hon. Rasaq Ajala was the Vice-Chairman, Hon Seyi Jakande who expressed great appreciation that the the Council Chairman's great effort in improving the basic education standard in Odiolowo Ojuwoye is recognised and applauded the host, Princess Olu Akinlude saying, this is the right step in a right direction, appreciating people who have contributed to the development of our basic education including the teachers and pupils.

"It is also going to motivate the awardees to do more, so that they can be more appreciated. He added.

Others given awards were HRH Oba Onitire of Itire, individuals, organisations, 1st, 2nd and 3rd best teachers, best pupils, best head teachers and so on.

As the wardees were given the award, citation were made about them, stating their biography with presentation of award certificate and cash presentation to teaching and non teaching staff as against the usual gift items to awardees.