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Tag: alma mater

  • Old students meet 50 years after, to lift alma mater

    For 50 years, they had been apart after their secondary education at St Louis Secondary School, the first post-primary female school in Ondo State.

    Any wonder members of the 1966 set of the old students were excited when there was an opportunity for a re-union recently.

    The old students, who are now occupying various vital positions within and outside the country, converged on the school premises in Ondo town penultimate Monday to appreciate God and give back to their alma mater.

    The anniversary began with a lecture entitled “Challenging Girls to Greatness” delivered by a member of the 1966 set, Mrs Adun Akinyemiju, a Lagos-based school proprietor from Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government Area.

    Mrs Akinyemiju noted that everyone was created by God for a purpose and people achieve greatness when they work hard to bring to fruition their God-given mission.

    According to her, greatness radiates from inside out and enables one to honour the value that could be fulfilled through that purpose.

    The school proprietor observed that many are living below the plan of God for different reasons such as lack of knowledge and understanding as well as the environment/background of individuals.

    She said: “Many people still tell you that the place of woman is in the kitchen, you are a girl and you will amount to nothing, you are the last born or you are in the middle. You must put that off your mind and be determined to reach the height God has destined you to reach in life.”

    Mrs Akinyemiju made references to some women in contemporary period who are achievers because they have entered into such purpose.

    According to her, Mrs Ibukun Awosika and Mrs Osaretin Afusat Demuren are chairpersons of two strong banks in Nigeria  currently, just like Mrs Kemi Adeosun, who is the Minister of Finance.

    Within the 1966 set of St Louis, Mrs Akinyemiju listed Mrs Sola Dublin-Green, a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the Marine sector who retired as the Director of Marine Geology and three medical doctors namely Dr Bolaji Ogunsulure, Dr Boyin Omotoso and Dr (Mrs) Adeleye.

    She also mentioned Mrs Biola Longe who retired as Director at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs Catherine Kuye, a leading educationist, Mrs Margaret Fasae, a seasoned Pharmacist and others who are performing excellently in their various professional callings.

    The National President of the Old Students Association, Mrs Elizabeth Adeyemi appreciated God for sparing their lives to witness the 50th anniversary of their passing out from St Louis Secondary School, Ondo with flying colours.

    She recalled that all of them (1966 set) passed out with good grades and are now in better positions.

    According to her, in uplifting their alma mater, they had come together to raise the institution by tiling the school hall, renovating the dining hall and preparing to execute many other projects.

    She urged well-meaning individuals in the society and the state government to rehabilitate roads within the school premises to ease movement.

    Highlight of the anniversary was the thanksgiving service held at the school’s chapel.

     

  • Pioneers give back to alma mater 30 years after

    The pioneer set of the State GrammaSchool, Itolo, Surulere, Lagos State, have donated items worth about N4 million to their alma mater 30 years after graduation.

    The 1986 set built a fully equipped e-library for the junior and senior arms of the school each, renovated structures and provided two generators to power the school, among others.

    Chairman of the planning committee, Mr Stanley Bassey, said: “Today we are giving back to our school, because it is right. This school started with us 30 years ago. We want to set an example for the upcoming alumni, that is, the current students, to note that it is good to give back.

    “Whatever we have become today, this is our foundation. We need to also educate the students and inspire them to persevere, study hard, remain focused and be diligent.”

    President of the association, Mr Zacharias Egbunu, charged the pupils to imbibe good character.

    In a speech culled from the school’s motto themed: ‘Knowledge is Light’ and titled: ‘Knowledge and good character: Essential keys to human advancement and development,’ he said: “Students must embrace the fact that to be successful, attain excellence, they must acquire knowledge. Education is paramount to your developmental process. Students must also imbibe good character, which entails- diligence, cleanliness, obedience, listening and carrying out instructions marshaled out by your teachers, as well as self discipline, which is to study regularly, be it at school or at home.”

    Tutor General/Permanent Secretary (TG/PS) of Education District IV, Mrs Lola Are-Adegbite, who was represented by the district’s Director of Co-curricular and Technology Education, Mrs Muinat Abimbola, thanked the donors.

    “I am always happy to hear about such gesture, because it shows students are appreciative and the reward of teachers is no longer only in heaven but on earth. Your kind gesture would inspire the children to strive to be like you. I also congratulate the principals, staff and students for maintaining good conduct. Students, it is important to be studious and submit yourselves to authority.”

    Inuagurating the projects during their reunion, the Olumegbon of Lagos Chief Fatai Lawal who was the father of the day, lauded the group for the feat and called for other old students to emulate them.

    Head girl, Zainab Usman was excited about the new developments in her school and promised to ensure that pupils maintained the items donated.

  • Philanthropist builds skills centre for alma mater

    As part of efforts to plough back to the society, Dr. Mrs. Ibifunke Pegba Otemolu, an entrepreneur and philanthropist recently set up, EBI Enterprise Initiative, a skills acquisition centre at her alma mater, Gbagada Junior Grammar School, Lagos.

    Justifying the need for the gesture, Otemolu said she was compelled to give back to her old school just so she can put smiles on the faces of the less privileged in the society, especially those pupils from very poor background whom the parents are not able to give them the necessity of life to create a better atmosphere to upgrade their knowledge and competency.

    Mrs Otemolu recalled that she began to nurse the idea of giving back to her school just five years ago. “I decide to give back to the public even though it may not be enough but quite little, because I may not have enough to go round everybody. These ideas came into mind because of the economic difficulties as things are getting tougher in Nigeria and most residents can’t afford three square meals a day. So I see this as a way of being my brother’s keeper. The name I chose for the centre is Ebi, which means, family in Yoruba. I believe we’re all one big family as such we should be there for each other from time to time.”

    Among the skills and crafts to be learnt at the centre include bead making, weaving clothes, sewing, computer engineering, bread making, cake baking, dying of clothes, to mention just a few.

    Speaking on the initiative, the school principal, Mr. K.A Oresegun thanked Mrs. Otemolu for her good gestures. Echoing similar sentiments, the school’s counselor, Mrs. Ukewuije said this is the first of its kind in the school just as the H.O.D Science, Mr. F.O Ofoi said it would go a long way in curbing youth unrest and other social vices among idle kids.

  • Joy as old students donate N4m water pumps to alma mater

    There was jubilation at the Government College, Ughelli, Delta State at the weekend as its Old Boys donated eight pneumatic manual water pumps worth over N4 million to the college.

    The group also donated over 100 copies of the books ‘Innovative Leadership’ and ‘How to Become a Millionaire” written by Mr. Jude Kakpobvia and Utoh Ohworieha, two members of the Class of 1978 to the college, and sister schools, Anglican Girls Grammar School and St. Theresa’s Grammar School, Ughelli.

    Speaking during the commissioning ceremony,  the Delta State  Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Chiedu Ebie commended the old boys of the college for their various contributions to the development of the school.

    Ebie, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Pius Omubaye stressed need for old students of schools to contribute towards the growth of their alma manta, saying government alone cannot do it all.

    Also speaking, Chairman of the Class of 1978 of the school, Dr. Akpor Mudiaga-Odje said the project was embarked upon in the spirit of giving back from what they had to the school which he said had given so much to them.

    He said: “This was where our educational umbilical cords were buried and in retrospect, our fathers and mothers at that time, saw the light of Government College, Ughelli and they knew it was a school of unmatched and impeccable educational standard.

    “While here, there were some things we were indoctrinated about, regarding the issues of culture, self discipline, education, integrity, honesty and steadfastness and having built all these things in us, we were pushed into the world and we saw how these virtues enabled us to soar and tower above our challenges.

    “Having done that, we now said, we must not forget where we came from; this is the foundation of our educational excellence. This is the first project we are commissioning in the midst of harvest of projects coming soon.”

    He explained that the reason to embark on the manually operated water pumping system was as a result of the epileptic power supply.

    The President of the Warri Branch of the Government College, Ughelli Old Boys Association, Dr. Richard Obiuwebvi, reiterated the determination of the old boys to bring the school back to the standard it was during its golden era.

    “It is in this spirit that apart from the old boys associations, classes of various years are now organising themselves to give one for of assistance or the other to the school, “he said.

    A prominent member of the association, Mr. Stephen Dieseruvwe,  said: “When you look at the importance of clean drinking water, if a set in the school now decided to provide eight pneumatic manual water pumps to the school, it is a wonderful.”

    The Principal of the school, Mr. Godspower Odenema, said: “Government College, Ughelli depicts excellence,” thanking the old boys for all they had been doing towards the development of the school.

     

  • For the love of their alma mater

    For the love of their alma mater

    They left school 25 years ago. Yet, memories of Government College Surulere, Lagos still linger in their memories. Longing to go back and see how the school has fared all these years, they discovered it lacks some necessary infrastructure.

    Worried by the development, the ’92 set of the college quickly mobilised its members on the Whatsapp platform where many of the old boys at home and in the Diaspora had a forum to discuss the well-being of their alma mater.

    On January 28, they sent delegates to the school on a fact-finding mission as directed by the National President of its Old Boys’ Association, Niyi Aromolaran.

    Following the unsavoury report by the delegates, the group, in conjunction with the social intervention imitative-Lend a Hand-of the national body, visited the school. Mindful of the infrastructure deficit in the school, which invariably affects teaching and learning, members of the ’92 set presented some items to some of the students. A total of 141 students benefitted from the gesture.

    Each Senior Secondary three (SS3) student was presented with beautiful desk and chair on which to sit and write their West African Examination Council (WAEC) examinations. The junior secondary school students (JSS) were given three white marker boards and markers; 66 pieces of Prada rubber sandals for some of the students; the drum set was refurbished and the students were treated to a feast.

    At the ceremony, there was laughter, dance, excitement and refreshment for both staff and students.

    In an address to the students, the set’s coordinators Lekan Adesanya and Opeoluwa Adeshoye hoped that the presentation will spur them to perform better than their predecessors.

    The old students also said there were many things they would have done differently better if they had made some conscious effort to realise their dreams.

    “If we had known, we would have paid more attention in class. Back then, we thought we were smarter than our teachers. Instead of paying attention to what they were teaching us, some of us flunked class to listen to mindless music and hang around with wrong friends. We thought we were smart, but how wrong we were. Don’t make the mistakes we made. Pay attention in class and listen to your teachers.

    “We would have read more books. The motto of this institution is Knowledge is Light. You don’t get knowledge from playing truancy, you don’t get it from fighting, but you get it from reading. Readers are leaders. If you don’t read, you can’t lead. Read books that will make you dream and make you great.

    “We would have discovered our purpose of life on time. It took time for some of us to find out what we wanted to do with our lives. We played and wasted time when we were supposed to be focused on our future. Don’t let that happen to you. Find out what you want to do with your life and start pursuing it now. We are available for mentoring and guide to help you find your way,” Mr. Adesanya said.

  • QUEEN SASSY SOMA VISITS ALMA MATER

    QUEEN SASSY SOMA VISITS ALMA MATER

    CLASSES were suspended and drums rolled out to celebrate the coming of the 2015 winner of the Face of Candy City, Queen Sassy Somma, when she visited her Alma Mater, Gracewell Academy in Surulere Local government of Lagos State.

    Somma, who arrived the school at 10:30am with her convoy and members of staff of CandyCity Entertainment, said she visited her alma mater to motivate, encourage and inspire the students there.

    “This is my school, I am proud to be here today. I am here to encourage you to be focused, determined, strong, inquisitive, bold, creative, versatile, studious name it, be the best at whatever discipline whether science, commercial or arts variety is the spice of life, blend into whatever situation, environment or circumstances you find yourself. I’m a science product but while I was here, I won Miss Gracewell for 2007/2008 academic session. I was also the social prefect the preceding year. I can go on and on. The essence of the whole story is to make you work hard at every point bearing in mind that a true scholar or a qualified scholar is a rich blend take for instance fruit juice, would you rather take smoothie a blend of raspberry, pear, blackberry, plump, or just mango juice. Cause variety is the spice of life,” said the beautiful queen.

    The Principal of the school, Dr. Mrs Nebechukwu, said they were happy to be remembered by Somma, stating that her visit would encourage the pupils to work hard in their academic endeavors.

  • Alumni plan N10m e-library for alma mater

    Old Students of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA), School, Yaba, Lagos State have proposed to build an electronic library worth N10 million for their alma mater.

    They began contributing to the fund during a gala to celebrate the school’s 60th anniversary at the Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja.

    The women said their fondness for the school’s values was the rationale behind their decision.

    One of them, Executive Director,  Project Alert, Mrs Josephine Effah-Chukwuma, said: “If you are a product of OLA, these qualities will always be found in you: morals, precedence, standing tall, professionalism, honesty, self-esteem. As an association, we plan to leave a legacy in the school. We want to create an e-library because we want to reduce pressure and budget on the conventional library. We want the pupils to have access to up to date information. We want to be modern and current. The library would include 10 computers, internet and printer, as well relevant software.”

    The response to the project was impressive as many of the alumni immediately wrote cheques or pledged amounts, some of which were up to N1 million.

    At the event, a former principal of the school between 1984 and 1994, Mrs fehintoluwa Olubobokun could not hide her joy at seeing her products doing so well in life.

    She said: “I feel very good and fulfilled as a teacher. The greatest joy of a teacher is to nurture a child and see the child grow up and be in very responsible positions, which is what I have witnessed today with my girls. They were tiny but very good and brilliant. They listened to all instructions in those days. It was such a joy being with them then just like I am very happy to be with them again.”

    Mrs Olubobokun, however, decried the falling standard of education all over the world.

    She said: “It is most unfortunate that things are really retrogressing all over the world, not just in Nigeria. In those days, in schools, in a class of about 30 you would find the pupils very ambitious, intelligent and disciplined, only two that may be lagging behind and once you counsel them, they will change. But these days, there is no discipline at home, parents are not available. Even in schools, they cannot discipline the children. The parents would protest. So practically, they just leave the children and that is the problem. What we need are guidance for the children from the home, the community and then the teachers.”

    She urged the government to improve funding to schools.

     

  • Old Boys plan infrastructure upgrade at alma mater

    Old Boys plan infrastructure upgrade at alma mater

    It was a colourful gathering during the 2015 homecoming of Ngwa High School, Aba Old Boys’ Association. SUNNY NWANKWO reports.

    Ngwa High School is one of the early male schools in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State. The school which was founded in 1952 with Rev. W.G. Pollard as its pioneer Principal has produced many successful businessmen, clerics, top ranking soldiers (both serving and retired) and other professionals such as Chief Mike Ahamba, Prof. Uche Ikonne and acting Vice-Chancellor, Abia State University Uturu Prof. Jasper Fortune Jumbo, among others.

    However, the 2015 gathering of the school which coincided with the Golden Jubilee of the class of 1965 of Ngwa High School Boys Association (NHSOBA) set provided these legal icon, clergies, business gurus and other professionals, the opportunity not only to relish the old school days as students in a secondary school that was the pride of the commercial city  then, it also provided them the opportunity to plan on how to restore the pride of the school; having been returned to the original owners (Anglican Church) by the immediate past Governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Ahamefula Orji. For them, the infrastructural decay in the school is awful.

    According to the Old Boys, their planned partnership with the present management of the school under Aba Ngwa North Anglican Diocese to give their alma mater a facelift, they were embarking on a N10 million project investments.

    Among the projects they intend to carry out in the school are sinking of borehole and reticulating water to every part of the school, including the students’ dormitory among other places.

    Chief Mike Ahamba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and President of the schools’ Old Boys’ Association of the school announced this in Aba as part of the celebration to mark the golden jubilee of the 1965 class.

    President of NHSOBA lamented the level of dilapidation of infrastructure in the school founded in 1954. He promised that the association would partner with the church to address the infrastructural challenges as well as re-establish high standard of learning which the school was known for.

    He said: “We are here for our homecoming and to take a look at the state of infrastructure in the school and see how we can help. The buildings are old and most of the students are day students. We will invest at least N10 million in the first instance of the infrastructural rehabilitation of the school.

    “We would like a situation where most of them would come into residence and that will help to inculcate in them the true character of Ngwa High School personality. We will ensure that immediately we leave here, students of the school will enjoy water from the borehole sunk by the Old Boys’ Association and it will be reticulated. After that, we won’t wait; we will go on to achieve other projects.

    “We enjoyed water system and showers in the 1960s. Why won’t our students enjoy them now? I commend the Vice-President of NHSOBA, Chief Jasper Jumbo for renovating the school’s chapel and library and Dr. Chianyigadi Denna who re-roofed and installed metal doors to the science blocks.”

    Ahamba also said that the association will do all within its capacity to restore the glory of the school.

    “We will try and get it right. It will be a continuous thing. We are doing it for a lot of reasons; this is the only school that bears the name, Ngwa. I believe the Ngwa nation will see it as something they must support even though the Anglican Mission is running it now. But they built the school and gave it to the Anglican Church. That’s what happened in 1953. Now that the Anglican Church has it again, Ngwa people should not turn their back on this citadel that is flying the flag of Ngwa land.”

    Corroborating Chief Ahamba’s views, Prof. Jasper Fortune Jumbo said they were willing to partner with the Anglican Church of Aba Ngwa North Diocese; owners of the school to see ways the glory of the school could be restored which he said would attract parents to sending their children/wards to the school for studies in order to be better equipped academically.

    Earlier in his address, the Principal of the School, Dr. Felix Erondu, who is also an old boy of the school, had enumerated the challenges facing the institution to include lack of laboratory facilities; dilapidated buildings, broken fence and lack school bus.

    Brig. General G.A. Umelo; Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Ali Amodu; Justice Kenneth Amadi; Mr. Emmanuel Denna, Gordy Uche (SAN); incoming ABSU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uche Ikonne; Mr. Eric Archibong and Mr. Chianyidi Denna were among the old boys honoured by the group.

  • Old girls wear uniform to celebrate alma mater

    Old girls wear uniform to celebrate alma mater

    For pupils of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA), Yaba, the day some alumni members wore their old uniforms to school will remain a fond memory for a long time.

    The ‘Back to School’ programme was part of activities to mark the school’s 60th anniversary.

    The old girls not only wore the blue and white gowns complete with navy blue beret, they also participated in school activities and visited each classroom to counsel the girls.

    The day started on the assembly ground with many old girls, including the first pupil to be registered in the school 60 years ago, Mrs Yesede Pampam, assembled with the current pupils.  The pupils were addressed by prominent old girls like Mrs Wunmi Ogunbiyi, Miss Nigeria beauty pageant in 1989; Mrs Eniola Salau, an award winning jeweler; and Dr Toun Dipeolu, who shared their grass to grace stories.

    During the class sessions, the pupils learnt varied issues – from the importance of insurance, and having a vision, to how to manage careers, run businesses, and weather hard times.

    The pupils appreciated the rare privilege they got that day to learn wisdom that could help them make good decisions to safeguard their future.

    Victory Orjiako, an SS3 pupil, said the programme exceeded her expectations.

    “Initially when they told us about it, I thought it would be awkward and funny.  But when I saw the old girls, they looked lovely.  They shared with us how your past life can affect you in positive ways.  They came back here and were generous enough with their wisdom and not many people are opportune to hear what they told us,” he said.

    Eniola Ayansola, a JSS1 pupil, said of the lessons she learnt: “I have learnt we should be hard working, self reliant, never lament that our parents are poor, and be content with what we have.”

    The old girls were also pleased about participating in the programme.  Mrs Pampam, who graduated in 1956, said her excitement made her lose sleep.

    “I could not sleep last night because for us to come in this uniform, it was so precious.  I feel very elated because I use to be the first national president of the old girls association. When it was in the hands of government it wasn’t with the same discipline and I was not very proud until it came back (to the missionary),” she said.

    Another old girl, Mrs Margaret Koshoni, said: “I feel so happy, glad and proud that I was a student of this school. It was very exciting; it made me believe the saying that school life is always the best because coming here today brought back all the good memories. We didn’t have any problems just to study, eat, gossip, and sleep.”

    Head Teacher, Senior School, Mr Ibeawuchi Gregory, said the initiative was an opportunity for the old girls to give back to the school.

    “Generally, the initiative was worthwhile because 60 years of existence is not a mean feat.  The old girls encouraged the pupils,” he said.

     

  • Association celebrates diamond anniversary of alma mater

    Association celebrates diamond anniversary of alma mater

    From Friday to Sunday, January 29 and 31, all roads will lead to the Methodist High School, Ilesa, in Osun State. There, friends, associates and well-wishers will join the old students, teachers, students and guests of the oldest secondary school in Osun State in the celebration of the institution’s diamond anniversary.

    To make the event worthwhile, the Old Students’ Association, Methodist High School, Ilesa (OSAMETHSI) have already lined up series of activities to give the school which was founded in 1956 a befitting celebration. Their objective is to bring back the school’s glorious days by renovating some of the school’s buildings and provision of other necessary infrastructure that will enhance teaching and learning in the school.

    When Southwest Report visited the school premises, work was in progress.  Some of the projects carried out included renovation and refurbishment of six blocks consisting of 37 classrooms; replacement of dilapidated doors, windows, ceiling, floor tiling and repainting of classroom blocks.

    The new school gate was a beauty to behold as it was designed with various colours and objects for aesthetics. The security personnel were excited that the students are better secured now and the management can have a better control of students’ movements in and out of the school.

    On one of such visits, our correspondent had a chat with the President of the Old Students’ Association and Managing Director of Kresta Laurel, Mr Dideolu Falobi, who gave a summary of expenditure in the past six months. He pointed out that about N35million contributed by the old students has been expended on various projects in the school.

    He also added that some other projects the association embarked on included the completion of the already existing school hall; painting of renovated school chapel; building an e-library/ITC centre and construction of a new school sports centre, among other projects.

    ”There is no doubt that Methodist High School Ilesa can be restored to its pride of place as first among equals in secondary school education in Nigeria. But we know this can never be achieved by the government alone, hence our decision to embark on this laudable projects so that our dream for our alma mater can be fulfilled,” he said.

    Falobi gave a summary of daily activities already lined up for the 60th anniversary of the school. These include an inter-school debates and football match; inauguration of all upgraded buildings; a procession through Ilesa town and courtesy visit to the Oba of Ijesha land; award of Excellence for deserving old students, teachers, parents and students; a career talk; a lecture and luncheon and launch of N100 million development funds for the school. He said the anniversary will climax with a thanksgiving service at Methodist Church Otapete, Ilesa.

    Expected to attend the event is the former Governor of Ogun State Otunba Gbenga Daniel who will deliver the anniversary lecture, while the former Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Prof. Bamidele Omole will chair the occasion.