Old students’ support crucial to revamping education sector — Gov Abiodun

GOVERNOR of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has emphasised the crucial roles of the old students association in transforming the education sector, saying that his administration places great premium on every initiative of the old students tailored towards achieving delivery of qualitative and accessible education.

The governor made the remarks during the 65th anniversary of the Christ Apostolic Grammar School Old Students Association held within the school premises at Iperu Remo on Saturday.

Represented by the Commissioner for Education, Prof Abayomi Arigbabu, Governor Abiodun said that he was always excited to see the old students lending their support to address the gap in the education sector, knowing fully well that their intervention is not because they want anything in return but to engender the continued progress of the education sector in the country.

He said, “If politicians do anything, it may be because they are seeking the people’s support; if it were to be industry, it might be because of publicity but when old students do any projects for the school, it is out of their love for the continued progress of the school.”

Abiodun hailed the old students for not only limiting the 65th anniversary to wining and dining but also embarking on projects that are crucial to achieving qualitative education in the state.

He said the school being one of the flagships in the state is already penciled down for the smart classrooms policy and laboratory remodeling of the state government.

Abiodun said that having recognised the place of education in achieving sustainable development, his administration since assumption of office five years ago had been carrying out lot of interventions to address the rot in the sector.

The governor said “This administration has carried a lot of intervention in our education sector to address the neglect of the past.

“We have supplied our schools with furniture, we have built over a thousand blocks of classrooms; you can see the yellow roof building all around. We have equally employed over 4000 teachers to ensure that our children get the very best among others.”

The governor said that his administration would continue to pursue initiatives that enhance conducive learning atmosphere and support a greater future for the students in the state.

Speaking during the programme, the national president of the Christ Apostolic Grammar School Old Students Association, Armstrong Akintunde, said the whole essence of the anniversary is to galvanise the strength of the past students of the school to further contribute to its greatness.

Akintunde said, “This anniversary is a call to service; it is a call to action that reminds us of our duty to give back to the school that has laid the foundation of the success story each of us flaunts today.”

The property merchant urged the old students to use the occasion of the anniversary to foster unity and be deeply committed to working out a greater future for the coming generation.

Highlight of the anniversary include the commissioning of the ultramodern Gate House of the school donated by the old students as well as a Toyota Coaster bus for the students and another mini bus for the executives of CAGSOSA.