Friday, January 16, 2026, will forever linger in the memory of Epe constituents not merely as a date for ribbon-cutting, but as a moment when responsive governance spoke fluently in the language of clear purpose. At Epe Grammar School – the oldest post-primary institution in the division and Temu Community Senior Secondary School, projects were commissioned but more importantly, confidence was renewed.
Standing before a cross-section of traditional rulers, education stakeholders, parents, teachers and students, Rep. Wale Raji did more than recount achievements in his powerful address. He offered a never-seen-before narrative of governance deeply rooted in responsibility, history and forward-thinking investment. It was a reminder that public office, when rightly exercised, is not about announcements or rotation but about indelible impacts.
The historic event was marvelous and the presence of the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who officially commissioned the projects lent national weight to the occasion. His attendance, despite a demanding schedule, underscored the centrality of education to national development. Beyond protocol, Wale Raji’s commendation of his record: from the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre, Epe, to the gazetting of the Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe, and the recent breakthrough in ASUU negotiations, served as a quiet reassurance that purposeful leadership still finds expression in public service.
Yet, the heart of the day lay not in numerous applause lines but in substance. Rep. Raji’s account of interventions across education, healthcare, trade, infrastructure, social welfare and security painted a beautiful picture of a constituency steadily being stitched together by deliberate policy choices. From the construction of 175 fully furnished classrooms to the establishment of new schools in underserved communities like Temu, now boasting a complete secondary school system, the message was clear: access to education should never be a matter of geography or privilege.
Equally telling was the scale of economic empowerment through trade infrastructure. Nearly 900 shops: built, allocated and distributed free of charge across markets in Ayetoro, Mojoda, Ito-Ikin and others nearing completion, signal a deliberate philosophy that sees local commerce not as an afterthought but as the engine of grassroots prosperity.
Healthcare, too, found its place through the construction of the Iraye Primary Health Centre, while over 2,000 solar streetlights now dot communities, improving safety and mobility. For the elderly, the Owo Arugbo scheme stands out as a humane policy choice, with ₦90 million disbursed to senior citizens who too often fade into policy blind spots. Security was not left to rhetoric either, with the commissioning of a fully equipped Divisional Police Headquarters.
But it was at Epe Grammar School itself that policy met poetry. Founded decades ago, the school has long been a crucible of ambition, producing scholars, public servants and professionals who helped shape Lagos State and Nigeria. Wale Raji’s decision to modernize it was not cosmetic; it was philosophical. A school that formed yesterday’s leaders must be adequately equipped to prepare tomorrow’s.
The newly commissioned facilities: gigantic hostels, lodges, long stretch of roads, a mini stadium, ICT center and learning spaces are more than brick and mortar. They are bold statements of belief: that students learn better in environments that inspire dignity, safety and excellence. Even more profound was the choice to name these projects after notable individuals whose lives embody service and sacrifice.
Lady Doja Otedola’s name on the Girls’ Hostel speaks to a legacy of philanthropy and empowerment. The Boys’ Hostel, named after Alhaji Akanni Seriki Bamu, honours decades of socio-political commitment to Epe Division and Lagos State. Other landmarks immortalise iconic figures like late Professor Femi Agbalajobi, Chief Ganiyu Akintola, Chief Samuel Yoloye and Alhaji Adisa Osiefa. These are respected names that remind today’s students that greatness often begins quietly, within school walls like these.
In aligning these efforts with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Rep. Raji etched local action within a broader national vision, one anchored on human capital development and inclusive growth. His ambitious promise to replicate similar school upgrades in Ikosi-Ejinrin and Eredo LCDAs further reinforces the principle of equity in development.
Ultimately, this was not just about commissioning projects. It was about recommitting to a social contract: one where leadership listens, plans and delivers; where history is honoured without being worshipped; and where education remains the surest compass for collective progress.
For the students of Epe Grammar School and Temu Community Senior Secondary School, the charge is clear: these facilities are both a gift and a responsibility. For the community, the message resonates even louder: when governance is purposeful, classrooms become covenants with the future, and hope finds a permanent address.
See more photos below as shot by @Super_Dee
