Stakeholders have decried the inadequate funding of the education sector and called for collaboration between alumni and all tiers of government to address this situation.
This issue took centre stage at the 40th-anniversary celebration of the 1978/1983 set of Olivet Baptist High School in Oyo, held on the school campus over the weekend.
They advocated for stronger connections between secondary schools in the country and their alumni to supplement government funding.
Prominent alumni of the school, including ‘Dapo Adekunle, the Assistant General Manager of ICT at the Nigerian Port Authority and Chairman of the 78/83 year set; Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Oyo State; and Major-General Adekunle Adesope (Retd), the immediate past Chief of Defence Accounts and Budget, Defence Headquarters, stressed that funding the education sector should not solely rely on the government.
The reunion event featured an awards ceremony where outstanding students from the 2023 WASC examination and the 2023 BECE were recognized. Old teachers were also honored, and posthumous awards were presented. The three best students in the WASC Examination from the school received new laptops, while the three best students of the school in BECE were also given new tablets, in addition to fantastic gifts for old teachers and other categories.
In his speech at the event, Dapo Adekunle, the chairman of the 1978/83 set, emphasized the importance of the event in recognizing the impact and legacy of their alma mater. He mentioned that their time at the school not only provided them with academic knowledge but also instilled values that guided them throughout their lives.
He urged alumni to make a positive impact on the school and support its mission of knowledge, integrity, and excellence.
Adekunle listed the achievements of his set, including landscaping and beautification of the school’s main quadrangle, removing tree stumps, channeling stormwater, replenishing degraded sand, establishing walkways, and planting 16 special royal palm trees procured from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan. He also mentioned the installation and commissioning of a solar-operated borehole with a 20,000-liter capacity water storage tank as part of the completed projects executed by the set in the school. He promised that the set would do more.
Chief Bayo Adesope, the Chairman of the occasion and a 1960 graduate of the school, expressed pride in the alumni’s dedication to leaving a legacy and setting a standard for younger generations. He emphasized the importance of giving back to their alma mater and encouraged other alumni to do the same.
Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Oyo State, highlighted the contributions made by the 1978/83 set toward the school’s development. He urged alumni across the state to contribute to the progress of their alma maters, as government funding alone cannot meet all the needs of schools.
Major-General Adekunle Adesope (Retd), the immediate past Chief of Defence Accounts and Budget, Defence Headquarters, noted that “With the increasing need for funding in the education sector, the alumni of Olivet Baptist High School are setting a precedent for other schools to deepen their connections with their alumni communities.”
He stated that the partnership between schools and their former students has the potential to strengthen and uplift the education system in Nigeria, ensuring that future generations have access to knowledge, integrity, and excellence.
The National Secretary of the Olivet Baptist High School Alumni Association, Mr. Bimbo Idowu, who represented the National President, Dr. Wale Okediran, promised that the association would continue to complement government efforts to improve educational facilities, including hostels for boarding students at the school.
“We will continue to give back to our alma mater. We shall ensure that the quality of our alma mater continues to improve,” he said.
The Principal of Olivet Senior School, Mrs. Dosumu Olubukola, expressed her gratitude for the support and generosity of the alumni. She commended their commitment to giving back and inspiring current students to succeed in life.
She revealed that Olivet Baptist High School has consistently been one of the top choices among secondary schools in the state, encouraging other alumni to follow the example set by the 1978/83 set.
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