Gbenga Daniel, others celebrate OCHS during anniversary

Ososa community in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State played host to dignitaries from within and outside Nigeria, recently as the Old Students of Ososa Comprehensive High School (OCHS), celebrated the 40th anniversary of its existence.

The school, established on a large expanse of land, according to the Global President of OCHS Old Students Association, Professor Obatunde Bright Adetola, came into existence based on communal effort of indigenes of the town, under the umbrella of Ososa United Society (OUS).

Adetola, a professor of Sociology at the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago- Iwoye, said the formation of the school which has continued to produce the best in the country, was borne out of the desires of their parents to educate their upcoming generations to make them a better person in the society, so as to develop the community.

The university lecturer in his lecture entitled ‘Ubuntu: Personality Formation through Other People’, likened the coming together of their forebears to ‘Ubuntu’ from the Zulu ethnic group in South Africa, who believed that a person is a person through other people. He said their parents believed in humanity, hence their resolve to establish the school.

He said, “Ubuntu and Ososa United Society (OUS) is the foundation for our reason to gather here today. Forty years ago, OUS saw the future, took the bold step against all odds to establish OCHS.”

“OUS was the only means humanity could be attained for any meaningful development to happen in Ososa. Individual differences were put aside and collective principle was ignited to bring Ososa to this enviable height it has attained today.

Why I declared free education in Oyo ― Seyi Makinde

“Education of the people of Ososa was pursued by OUS because to them, ‘education is that which discloses to the wise and disguises from the foolish their lack of understanding. While education opens the mind of the wise, it closes the mind of the foolish. It is a mind that knows that is free.

“Our individual and collective freedom in Ososa therefore, is rooted in the value placed on education by our parents in all ramifications to open our minds for the good of the community in particular and Nigeria in general.”

Prof. Adetola acknowledged the role played by the pioneer principal of the school, the late Mr. Godwin Olusegun Osiboye, in molding and inculcating the African culture of humanity in them on how to express compassion, reciprocity, dignity, harmony and humanity in the interest of building and maintaining community with justice and mutual caring, which is the hallmark of the Ubuntu culture.

The national president did not fail to recognise the invaluable contributions of Alhaji Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa and the Gbengade of Ososa, Oba Adetoye Alatishe towards the uplift of the school.

Adegunwa according to Professor Adetola, single-handedly constructed and donated the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Centre of global standard to the school, aside numerous contributions.

He explained that the donation has placed the town on digital revolution ahead of most other communities.

Alhaji Adegunwa was also commended for taking over all the projects listed for the commemoration of the 40th anniversary from the old students, “It is on this I sincerely want to on behalf of Ososa Comprehensive High School Old Students Association thank Alhaji S.A Adegunwa. Aside the ICT Centre, Alhaji Adebola Adegunwa fulfilled his promises beyond measures as he took over a complete re-roofing of all block of classrooms, supply of table and chairs for all the classes, re-wiring of the entire school, supply of four ceiling fans per classroom, upgrading of toilet facilities, refurbishing of the MDG Hall, construction of flower pots round the classrooms, supply of uninterrupted power through two heavy duty generating sets backed up by solar panel, supply of bags and writing materials for the students and so on,” he added.

Oba Alatishe on his part was lauded for mobilising Ososa indigenes, both home and in the diaspora, to support the community to sustain the importance of education and personality formation, for economic development and social progress.

The monarch was said to have instituted scholarships, quiz, literary and debating competitions where prizes are awarded to deserving students from time to time.

The chairman of the event, former governor Gbenga Daniel, in his remarks identified the virtue of self-reliance, as the major reason for the gathering, having appreciated the older members of the community for putting all they have in establishing the school.

Daniel, who is the Mayegun of Ososa, said the establishment of the school by the community was a huge investment in the area of personality development and education advancement.

He said, “On this day, history is being made as we gather to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Ososa Comprehensive High School, (OCHS). It is historic because of the self-reliance attitude of Ososa as a community as they often dare to do what others will not do without crying for support from outside. This is both a welcome and heartwarming development that should not go unmentioned.”

For the principal of OCHS Senior School, Mr. Jembola  A. O,  the aim of every school is to provide students a strong foundation comprised of knowledge and life skills, which are the primary tools for success in life.

Jembola said the school in the years to come is expected to be a place of pride among the comity of secondary schools in the country.

The principal said, “Our expectation for the years ahead is that OCHS will become a place to be for all and sundry as we project to have 100 per cent performance in WASSCE and NECO examinations. Not only that, we hope to have a reasonable percentage of them that passed to gain admission into university, polytechnic and college education, and consequently, become a factor to reckon with in their field of study.”

“This enviable height cannot be achieved in isolation of all stakeholders, teachers, parents, students, old students and the community is bound to work collaboratively in attaining it. Your prompt and adequate attention to the school is welcome at all times.”

Nigerian Tribune