Old students hand over renovated classrooms to alma mater in Kwara

Members, Old Students Association (OSA) of St. Anthony Secondary School, Ilorin, Kwara State shortly after the inauguration of classrooms renovated by the association. With them are the Onigbesi of Igbesi in Isin Local Government Area, Oba Omotayo Oyinloye; his wife, Omolola; students, among others. Photo: Biola Azeez

Members of the 1984 set of the St. Anthony Secondary School Ilorin Old Students Association (SASSIOSA), Kwara State have renovated two blocks of four classrooms and office spaces as a way of giving back to their alma mater.

The two renovated blocks of classrooms belong to Junior and Senior classes.

Speaking during the inauguration of the project, the Headgirl and president of the set, Chief (Mrs.) Victoria Kehinde Afolayan (nee Oyeyipo), said the event was to mark 40th anniversary of leaving the school.

Mrs Afolayan, who said that over N6.1 million was spent for the renovation project, added that the resources expended were gathered among members of the set of old students.

“The two blocks of classrooms were in bad shape, especially that of the junior class. We did terrazzo flooring and outside of the classrooms, wall plastering, replacement of doors and windows from louvers to metal ones and repairs of the ceilings,” she said.

Afolayan further said that members of the old students include medical doctors, nurses, lecturers, civil servants, traditional ruler, among other professionals.

She also said that activities to mark the celebration include award presentation, such as recognition to the Catholic Church for establishing the school, which she added “nurtured us to become what we are today.

“We gave award to the chaplain of the school, Reverend Father Ralph Ajewole for the spiritual aspects of our study and we also had a get-together.

“The hallmark of our 40th anniversary is another round of award presentation to honour and recognise two sets of people, the pioneer headboy and headgirl, they will receive leadership excellence awards.

Performing the inauguration, the Catholic Bishop of Ilorin Diocese, Most Reverend Anselm Pendo Lawani, who was represented by the Dean of Ilorin Deanary, Reverend Father Titus Opadokun, prayed for members of the association for remembering their school.

Biola Azeez