When alumni saved school from going into extinction

The long anguish of the pupils and school authorities of Urban Day Grammar School, Adeoyo, Ibadan, Oyo State, recently became history when the academic setting received a boost from the Old Students’ Association of the school.

Despite its conspicuous location in the heart of Ibadan, both the junior and secondary wings of the school had wallowed in deterioration for so long with growing fears that the school could likely go into extinction following its lack of proper funding.

However, with the recent development the school witnessed courtesy of the donation of the old students’ association, clearly, life has been restored to the school.

Virtually all necessary requirements for a proper academic environment have been restored compared to the initial sorry state pupils were subjected to. As part of efforts to give back to their own, the association officially donated over 200 tables and chairs to the school, thereby providing the needed environment for learning. The school also got a new fence, a standard gate and other infrastructural benefits.

The roof of the principal’s office and a set of classrooms were also repaired. The multi-purpose hall in the compound hitherto taken over by weed was also rehabilitated; ditto the toilet. The school’s library, Home Economics laboratory and other classrooms were also rehabilitated.

Speaking on the development, representative of the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr Tunde Odekunle, commended the commitment of the alumni association in improving the quality of education in the state ranging from the engagement of personnel, organization of workshops for teachers, to provision of textbooks and notebooks to students.

“It is apparent that the government alone cannot fund education and this is why the private sector, philanthropists, missionaries and other associations are welcomed to partner with the government to attain the desired result.

“The current administration has within a short space abolished all forms of payments in our public secondary schools, awarded scholarship grants of N60 million to Law students in various tertiary institutions in the state, as well as distributed textbooks and notebooks to all public secondary school students in the state. “

“What the alumni are doing is highly commendable and it is in line with the vision of Governor Seyi Makinde’s government,” Odekunle added.

He, however, urged the management of the school to ensure the protection and proper use of the facilities.

The president of the association, Dr Babatunde Oduntan, noted that the development was a mission accomplished in restoring the lost glory of the school, just as he acknowledged the cooperation of the entire association, school authorities, parents and pupils in bringing the school back to life.

“The dwindling state of the school caught our attention, and as good ambassadors of the school we are concerned to come to its rescue. This school is historic and we cannot afford to allow it go into extinction. The school was founded in September 1980 during the administration of the late Chief Bola Ige, governor of old Oyo State.

“We made provision of 200 tables and chairs; renovated dilapidated classrooms, constructed main entrance gate, constructed school fence; we introduced academic activities to stimulate students’ moral, scholarship for deserving students, among other things to revive the standard education in the school,” he added.

Police Arrest 30 Footballers For Violating Lockdown In Kano
The Police Command in Kano on Tuesday confirmed it had arrested 30 youths allegedly involved in a football match in defiance to the lockdown order imposed on the state to contain the spread of the Coronavirus virus. Mr Abdullahi Haruna, the Commands’ spokesman, made the disclosure in an interview with the… Read full story

Seyi Makinde Announces New Appointments
Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has approved the appointment of Mrs Bolanle Sarumi-Aliyu as his Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora. This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Ibadan by Moses Alao, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Print Media… Read full story

COVID-19: UN Study Reveals ‘Baffling’ Inequality In Distance Learning
A study by the United Nations (UN) and some partners has revealed a “baffling” disparity in digitally-based distance learning around the world. This is coming amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has forced the closure of schools in 191 countries, leaving most of the world’s students at home… Read full story

COVID-19: Another WHO Staff Tests Positive In Bauchi
The Bauchi State Government on Tuesday confirmed that another official of World Health Organisation (WHO) has tested positive of Coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total of active cases in the state to three. The Chairman, Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, disclosed this… Read full story

US Senate Passes Additional $484bn COVID-19 Relief Package
The United States Senate on Tuesday passed an additional coronavirus relief package worth $484 billion (N181 trillion) to address emerging public health and economic challenges occasioned by the pandemic. Specifically, this will replenish a depleted loan package for small businesses and provide funds for hospitals and coronavirus… Read full story

Kyari: Buhari Writes Borno Community, Says ‘Borno Has Lost An Outstanding Personality’
President Muhammadu Buhari has written the Governor of Borno, Prof. Babagana Zulum, and some leading traditional rulers, commiserating with them on the passing of their illustrious son and his Chief of Staff, Malam Abba Kyari. Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s spokesman, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday… Read full story

North Korean Media Silent On Kim’s Whereabouts As Speculation On Health Rages
North Korean state media on Wednesday made no mention of leader Kim Jong Un’s health or whereabouts, a day after intense international speculation over his health was sparked by media reports he was gravely ill after a cardiovascular procedure… Read full story

Coronavirus Hits Morocco Prison As 68 Test Positive
Sixty-eight people, mostly staff, have come down with the coronavirus at a prison in the southern Moroccan city of Ouarzazate, prison authorities said on Tuesday, without reporting any deaths. Earlier this month Morocco released 5,645 prisoners – some of them in poor health – to help reduce the risk of the coronavirus… Read full story

EDITORIAL: The Increasing Lawlessness Of Security Agencies
THE unusual circumstances which the advent of the COVID-19 global pandemic has foisted on many countries of the world, including Nigeria, has, in turn, elicited unusual official responses such as total or partial lockdown of activities. One of the significant consequences of restrictive orders is transient impairment… Read full story

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE