Alumni pledge to revamp Oyo school

The former students of Ilora Baptist Grammar School, Oyo State have vowed to bring back the lost glory of their alma mater, especially in academic and social infrastructures.

The former students under the aegis of Ilora Baptist Grammar School Old Students Association (IBGSOSA) made the vow last week at their reunion forum 46 years after graduation from the school.

The reunion, tagged: “Home Coming Party,” was held in the ancient town with many alumni who are now grandparents in attendance.

In a statement made available to Nigerian Tribune, the president of the association, Dr. Obalolu Ojo, highlighted the importance of the reunion, especially to appreciate God for keeping them alive and also to give back to the school that produced them.

According to him, our coming together as alumni was also because we were not happy with the deteriorating state of our alma mater where we left in 1979.

“Things are really getting worse. The infrastructure and academic standards, especially WASSCE results of students are not encouraging. We got to know these the year before when we celebrated our 45th reunion anniversary. And because many of us are in Lagos, we agreed to do something to change the narrative.

“We then invited the school principal and informed him of our plans. We told him that we needed to rebuild the school and that we would do the work together with the teachers and in phases. They all agreed.

“So, last year, they forfeited their Easter holiday. They engaged the students in special coaching on daily basis including weekends from morning till evening. And the efforts yielded great results. The school recorded very good results in WASSCE last year, especially in English Language and Mathematics.

Continued Ojo said, “We also let them know that it’s not only in academics that they need help but also to make the environment conducive for them, like the school hall and classrooms that were in dilapidated conditions, and also stationeries. It’s disheartening to see students sitting on the floor.

“We equally introduced a scholarship project, which we termed, Adopt-a-child programme.

“Through this, we pick a child or more as your financial capability is to sponsor in school.

“We observed that some of the students don’t have school uniforms and sandals, books and even bags and so on.
“So, the scholarship is not to give the beneficiaries the cash but to procure necessary items for them.
“Fortunately, we have been privileged to bring the state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, to the school when we inaugurated the new school hall and we believe he will do something for the school before leaving office.

“So, we are happy that the school is taking a new shape.”

The high point of the reunion event was the symbolic presentation of awards to no fewer than 200 students, who will benefit from the adopt-a-child scholarship programme.