WITH the education sector in shambles, and the realization that the government alone cannot bring back the old glory in the sector, alumni associations have risen to contribute their quota to the development of their alma maters.
This, therefore, is what old students of the Mount Olivet Grammar School, Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State, have been doing to develop the school that laid the foundation upon which their built their lives.
Last Saturday, the ex-students, under the aegis of Mount Olivet Grammar School Alumni Association of Nigeria (MOGSAAN) had their national convention, where issues relating to the development of the school were discussed.
The ex-students, many who came from outside Oyo State and even Europe and the United States, first visited the school where ongoing projects were assessed, while future projects were also discussed.
Speaking at the school, the secretary of MOGSAAN Transition Committee, Mrs Olufunke Fadugba, told the principal, Mrs Bosede Nzere, that the ex-students were in the school to inspect ongoing projects by the alumni association, as well as to ascertain what other things the school need.
Mrs Fadugba said the school gave the ex-students the platform to blossom in life, and as a result, nothing was too small to give back, especially for the benefit of the current students.
In her remarks, the principal, Mrs Nzere admitted that the government could not do everything alone, and as such, the alumni association had assisted the government greatly by siting projects in the school.
Mrs Nzere said apart from the projects being embarked upon by the alumni association, a former student who works for a Federal Government education agency had been using his position to bring projects to the school.
“The school is grateful to you for this gesture, and this shows how much you gained in the school while you were here,” Mrs Nzere said.
After the visit to the school, members of the alumni then met to ratify a draft constitution that would govern its activities, as well as to inaugurate its new executives.
Speaking, the lead coordinator of the transition committee, Professor Raphael Okojie, said members had been able to draft a constitution, “which would guide our activities as we give back to our alma mater.
“We have been able to complete a bore-hole project, renovate some classrooms, science laboratories, as well as provide desks and chairs for the students.
“Another thing is that we have been able to create a website through which our members, especially those who are based abroad can follow our activities.
“I, therefore, want to charge the incoming executive to maintain the standard that the transition committee has set in order to address the challenges facing the school.
“We all know we cannot leave everything to government, and that is why we must maintain the standard in order to return the school to the standard that produced us, ” Professor Okojie said.
The new executives were then inaugurated, with its president, Otunba Hakeem Oladipo Animasaun, promising to continue to work towards bringing many projects to the school.
Otunba Animasaun said, “we will continue to develop our alma mater. We will reach out to the school to ascertain their needs and work on those needs. We won’t come up with any project without the school telling us they need such.
“While also working to develop the school, the executive will also be accountable to members whose funds are being used to execute the projects,” Otunba Animasaun said.
ALSO READ: Ekiti to hand schools over to missionary owners if ―Fayose
Also present at the convention was one of the sons of Bishop David Olugbesan Onabanjo, the founder of the school.
Bishop Michael Onabanjo, in his remarks, commended the alumni association for coming to the aid of the school, admitting that the government could not do everything alone.
Bishop Onabanjo, who is also a member of the alumni association, charged members to continue to have the interest of the school at heart, so that current students would also turn out to be useful to the school, their communities and the country at large in the nearest future.
Another of Bishop Onabanjo’s daughter, Dr Yemisi Olive-Ojo, confessed she was happy with the development going on in the school, especially concerning the alumni association.
“My father will be glad with everything that is happening today because he also used his resources to establish the school in 1965.
“I am now happy that former students are also using their resources to develop the school to one of the best in the country,” Dr Olive-Ojo said.
and then