…Old students donate N10m administrative block
By Kayode Adeoti
Old students have been charged to give back to their alma mata.
The call was made on Tuesday by Mallam Nuraini Ayinla Olatunji, the Chairman Planning Committee of the 50th anniversary of Oke-Ode Grammar School, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State during a courtesy visit to the corporate headquarters of National Pilot newspaper at Asa Dam road, Ilorin.
Speaking during the visit, Olatunji said to improve teaching and learning at the school, which was founded on February 3, 1969, the Old Students have practically reconstructed the administrative building at the cost of N10million.
“We’re trying to give back to the school from what it has given us hence we are donating an administrative block. We rebuilt the structure just to make it befitting and enhance the commitment of the teachers,” Olatunji disclosed.
Speaking on activities lined up for the celebration, the Chairman said the three days event will commence on Friday, February 1, 2019 with Juma’at prayer at Oke-Ode.
He added that on Saturday, a lecturer from the University of Lagos, Prof. Jacob Ajiboye will deliver a keynote talk on issues bothering the nation’s educational system among other germane issues.
Speaking further, Olatunji said awards will also be bestowed on the first principal of the school, Pa Joshua Ade Ogunyemi and the community Secretary, Chief Lola Adeyemi for their roles in the founding and development of the school.
Also, a novelty football match will be played between the present students and old students of the school.
In his response, the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of National Pilot newspaper, Alhaji Billy Adedamola lauded the association for contributing their quota to the development of education in the state.
He lamented the poor condition of public schools in the country saying many of them have been neglected, and have become carcass of their old selves.
According to the MD, most of the affluent individuals in the society attended public schools, adding that for the sake of the younger generation, the wealthy should join hands in order to rescue public schools from going into oblivion.
He said, “I want to appreciate your sense of duty, seriousness and patriotism which motivated you to embark on this laudable and innovative project. Most of us today have roles to play in shaping the lives of our children especially in the area of education.”
Adedamola however assured that the medium will support the association in providing publicity for its activities.
Also, in attendance were the Publicity Secretary of the association and the Director of Corporate Affairs, University of Ilorin, Mr Kunle Akogun, the Chairman of Arena and Protocol Committee, Dr Sikiru Nurudeen and the National Secretary, Alhaji AbdulAzeez Olawuyi.
