30th Reunion: We remain committeed to our alma mater’s development – AGSOOSA Class 1992
pannigeriannews
6 min read
By Sunday ADEPOJU
The class of 1992 of Anglican Grammar School, Ogbomoso Old Student Association (AGSOOSA) has said that the set remains committed to the development of their alma mater, saying that a project, running to some millions, embarked upon by the set would go a long way to improving teaching and learning in the school.
This was made known by the chairman of the class of 1992 of the association, TPL Femi Isola, while speaking to pannigeriannews.com shortly after the dinner party of the 30th reunion programme of the set which commenced on Friday and ended on Sunday.
Apart from the physical event which held at Pa Benjamin Oke Hall of the school, drawing members from different parts of the world, others from the Diaspora also joined via zoom and YouTube channel.
TPL Isola, an Abuja-based consultant and professional town planner, narrated the strides of the body, beginning from the struggle to bring the members of the set together, noting that the development of the school is non-negotiable.
According to TPL Isola, “The set actually started in 2016. We started with about ten members on our WhatsApp group. During the COVID-19 period, we had more members and currently, we have 87 members on the WhatsApp group.
“We had embarked on a project called ‘TAP’ – Teachers Appreciation Project where we appreciated 40 of our teachers. Thirty two of them were alive while eight of them had died. Currently, we are working on the renovation of a block of four classrooms with an office attached to it. We are committed to good works.”
While appreciating the stakeholders of the school, Isola said, “I cannot forget to thank the school, the national body of our alumni association and importantly the class of 1992 set. I thank all who have been contributing and I urge all others to join because the train has already left the station. We want to give kudos to the school that puts us where we are today. By the grace of God, with the supports of our class members, we can do more than what we are doing today. The school, like Oliver Twist, wants more from us because the governments alone cannot do it all. And we are here to complement the efforts of the governments.
“We want to encourage the present students. Three of them represented our our alma mater and came first and we presented them with gifts. So, I want to conclude by charging our set to keep the flag flying and keep the fire burning.
“I am humbled by the confidence reposed in me by my friends to be their chairperson and I thank all the executive members of the class of ‘92 for supporting, cooperating and tolerating me; all of which made us achieve this great feat. Specially, I want to appreciate the Reunion Organizing Committee chaired by Engr Bolaji Ajao as well as “Iya Meto” of the day, Prof Grace Ogunlakin for giving us a wonderful event.”
Also speaking with journalists in Ogbomoso, the chairman of the set’s 30th reunion event who was also the Head Boy of the class, Engr Bolaji Ajao, explained, “I didn’t expect that the responsibility of leading the 30th reunion committee would rest on me. it’s always a challenge leading people to organise and more importantly to also put in place a project which runs to some million of naira to commemorate our thirtieth anniversary.”
Ajao, a Warri-based Engineer, added, “Definitely, it was a daunting task. One of the things I enjoyed is that I have an excellent team of committee members. We felt that we needed a befitting project to commemorate our 30th reunion. We hope to complete the project soon and inaugurate it. I consider it a privilege to lead the team and organise this reunion event and also embark on this successful project.
“By God’s grace, we are done with the roofing, iron windows, replacement of the wooden supports for the roofs and the major things left for us are the ceiling board and completion of the plastering. We have achieved 80 per cent of the project.”
Earlier, the National President of the AGSOOSA, Professor Gbenga Bello, lauded the class of 1992 for their contributions in different areas.Professor Bello, a don at the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, also called on other sets to contribute their quota in rebuilding the school.
Prof. Bello recounted, with nostalgia, some of his past experiences while in the school. He also remembered the characteristic contributions of some of their old teachers who had come to rejoice with them.
He hammered on what he called immeasurable contributions of their teachers, most especially Mr Lowo Ladipo, a retired senior principal and chemistry specialist; Mr Samson Ajibade, a physics teacher and retired principal. He also stressed on the contributions of other teachers too numerous to mention.
Apart from Mr Ladipo and Mr Ajibade, other old teachers of the school like Mr Emmanuel Olabode (fine arts specialist), Dns Racheal Alabi (English), Mr A. G. Oyewale and Mrs Komolafe, all of who also delivered their goodwill messages to their old students.
In his goodwill message, the Principal of the school, Dn Abiodun Olowe, expressed joy on the contributions of the old student of the association.
Dn Olowe stated, “I left this school in 1984 and I came back to be the first old student to be principal of the school. First of all, we want to appreciate our founder, the Anglican Mission, for giving us this institution which served as our stepping stone to greater heights.
“The national body of Anglican Grammar School, Ogbomoso Old Student Association, led by its indefatigable President, Professor Gbenga Bello, should be highly commended for turning around the lots of the school and for making our alma mater the cynosure of all eyes with the unprecedented development they are carrying out in all facets of education.
“Individuals and sets have been coming to bless this school. One of such sets and segments of the national body is the 1992 set who has put up this programme, their reunion activities. The 1992 set members are the ones renovating the block of classrooms beside this Pa Benjamin Oke Hall here. There is no doubt that they have expended millions of naira on the project. The school wants to appreciate you and pray that you will never lack any good thing in life.
“Like Oliver Twist, we will still continue to ask for more. We will have many celebrations by God’s grace.”
Among those who joined the events physically on Saturday were the chairman of the class of 1991 Dr Sanjo Ayandele from LAUTECH and a 1986 old girl, Mrs Yemisi Popoola, who is now a Vice Principal in Ogbomoso zone of TESCOM.
Also joining the physically were spouses of four old students: Architect Kayode Akinwale from Maryland, United States; Pastor Paul Ogbeni from Ibadan; Mr Richard Okonyon from Lagos; Pastor David Ogunlakin from Ogbomoso and Revd Dr Sanusi.
Interestingly, the Executive Chairman of Ogbomoso North local government area, Hon. kabiru Akanji Ayoade, belongs to the class of 1992.
There were four different programmes:’Let’s Break the Ice’ on Friday, ‘Let’s Get Back Together’ and Groove Time’ on Saturday as well as ‘Thanksgiving Service’ at Anglican Church, Agboyin, Ogbomoso on Sunday.
Speaking on the theme ‘Igba O Lo Bi Orere’ (Nothing Lasts Forever), on Saturday, the Oyo State Post-Primary School Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) Ogbomoso Office Tutor-General, Pastor Olatunde Suulola, having lauded the 1992 set for their contributions, advised them to do more for their alma mater.
Pastor Suulola, who was represented by a supervisor at TESCOM office, Dn John Akande, enjoined members of the class to see to the welfare of their mates who might not be privileged in life.
He admonished the set to continue the good work they are doing, adding that those those who are financially handicapped could also contribute in many ways.
Pastor Suulola, therefore, charged the members of the class not to trivialise their health, saying that health is wealth.
Also at the programme was the chairman of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of the school, Mr Emmanuel Olapade, a 1988 alumnus.
Dinner dance party was not left out on Saturday as Senex Harmony and His Royal Golden Voices entertained with music to the admiration of all.
