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Tag: alma mater

  • Akintola Williams visits alma mater, 77 years after

    Akintola Williams visits alma mater, 77 years after

    Accounting doyen and alumnus of CMS Grammar School, Bariga, Lagos, Pa Akintola Williams, has visited his alma mater. He graduated from the school in 1938 when the school was still on Broad Street.

    Pa Williams, who chairs the Board of Trustees, Old Grammarian Society (OGS), was conducted on a tour of facilities of the school by the Principal, Venerable Tunde Oduwole, and other alumni.

    The tour included the Modupe and Folorunsho Alakija Boys Hostel, an ultra modern facility donated by Mr and Mrs Modupe Alakija on September 18, 2012. Pa Williams said he was glad to be in the school and promised to make donations towards ensuring the school remains the best. He implored other alumni to do likewise.

    The Principal described Williams’ visit as timely, exciting and historic.

    “He attended the school when it was still on broad street in Lagos but that he come back here is particularly a great lesson that whatever we have to do, there must be the spirit of endurance, the spirit to follow up and remain dogged and committed to dreams and that it is not over until It is over”, he said.

    Ven Oduwole also thanked God for those that have impacted the school in one way or the other, particularly Mr and Mrs Alakija.  He said through the five-star hostel they endowed, the boys have learnt about the spirit of excellence and giving the best.

    “Each student has its own reading table and chair, compartment for wardrobe, book shelf, a chair, reading desk and the bed. The hostel has a reading room, laundry, kitchen, gym, television room and games room among other critical facilities that boys of their age would need,” he said.

    The Chairman, Board of Governors, Justice Olayinka Faji, said the school appreciates the role Pa Williams has played over the years in the school’s development.

    He said the school, with the help of OGS, and the sacrificial involvement of the Proprietor-Bishops has made tremendous progress since it was handed over by the state government in 2001.

    Former OGS president Ambassador Dapo Fafowora also spoke on the need to generate funds towards the welfare of workers and the school.

    OGS president, Toyin Abayomi Akin-Johnson, also spoke on the society’s contributions to the school.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Giving back to their alma mater

    Giving back to their alma mater

    The Lagos branch of the Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association (GCUOBA) gathered at the Banquet Hall of the Lagos  Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja, last Sunday for its yearly luncheon. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI and SAFIYYAH ABDUR-RAZAQ were there

    Resplendent in their traditional and English attires, members of the Lagos branch of the Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association (GCUOBA) thronged  the Banquet Hall of the Lagos Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja on Sunday for their yearly luncheon.

    On arrival, they exchanged pleasantries, while some women ushered them to the seats. The hall was decorated in the school’s colours of red and yellow. The tables and chairs were covered in the same colours. The high table had a yellow background and the red portrait of a ship with the school’s motto: ‘Keep the Ship Sailing’.

    The Managing Director, Angels Communications, Longley Evru’ anchored the event, which began with the rendition of the National Anthem and the College Anthem, following which guests were recognised.

    The President, GCUOBA Lagos Branch, Mr Gordons Egbedi, spoke on the branch’s achievements.  The branch, he said, had renovated libraries and laboratories in the school.

    Egbedi said the branch gave itself a task last year to acquire a permanent secretariat for the association, adding that he is proud to say that the branch is the only Old Students Association in Nigeria to have a permanent secretariat.

    Chairman on the occasion, former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, lauded the old boys for keeping the tradition of being together every year. He recalled his days as governor and the challenges he faced when he reformed the education sector and decided to return schools to the missionaries.

    Obi urged Nigerians to contribute to the development of the country and not expect government to do everything.

    “As Nigerians, we have no other country except this. We can all contribute in our local governments and states. Don’t question the government, question your council chairman on what he does with the money allocated to the council. Add to the country in the little way what you can,” he said.

    The keynote address was taken by the former Vice-Chancellor of Redeemers University in Ogun State, Professor Oyewale Tomori.

    The event continued with the launch of Mariner Magazine and ‘Your kind of Men’ The book captures the days of the 1959 set in Government College, Ughelli; their accomplishments and contributions to national development. It was reviewed by a former Director of the National Broadcasting Corporation, Mr Mac Memakpore. He hailed the members of the 1959 set for always being present in large numbers at GCUOBA gatherings.

    Chairman, Majoroh Partnership Ovo Charles Majoroh coordinated the launch to which many of the guests donated generously.

    In his remarks, the President-General and Chief Host, Chief Joseph Akpieyi, congratulated the Lagos branch on securing a secretariat for the association. He said the branch is doing everything it can to restore our lost glory; academically, sports wise as well as morals which were the hallmark of the founding fathers of the school.

    Awards were given to three old boys for their contributions to the school and the association. Founder/ Group Managing Director, Arco Petrochemical Engineering Group Mr Alfred Irabor Okoigun was conferred with the highest award. Others were Professor Itse Sagay (SAN) and Mr Gabriel Omoruyi.

    Okoigun expressed joy to have been singled out to receive the highest award in GCUOBA, Lagos Branch.

    He described the award as a healthy challenge, hoping to live up to it. He said his heart is in the school and he wants to continue to make effort to make it a greater institution, adding that he believes the award was given to him in recognition of the little efforts he has contributed to make things happen

    The current Head Boy of the school, Master Adesina Onyekachukwu, thanked the Old Boys for giving him the opportunity to be in their midst. He also appreciated them for  the renovation.

    The vote of thanks was given by the branch’s Vice President and Chairman, Luncheon Party Committee, Clement Djebah.

  • Ambode lifts alma mater

    Ambode lifts alma mater

    St Jude Anglican Primary  School, Ebute Metta is wearing a new look, thanks to Lagos State governorship aspirant, Akinwunmi Ambode.

    Ambode, a former pupil of the school, reached out to his alma mater through the La Roche Leadership Foundation, which he started in 2011 to address education and leadership issues among the youth.

    The 140-year old school was refurbished, painted, electrically-wired, and fitted with some classroom furniture.  The foundation also rehabilitated toilets and purchased toys for the learning delight of young children.

    The handing over ceremony was graced by parents, pupils, and members of the community, and supporters of the governorship hopeful.

    While handing over the school on Tuesday, Administrator of the foundation, Mrs Marina Osoba, said that the charity focuses on education because of its importance to development.

    “What is important in life is good education.  It is something no one can take from you.  And if you have good education you can go anywhere,” she said.

    APC Chieftain, Otunba Tayo Oyemade who chaired the occasion, thanked the foundation for remembering the school that has produced many influential people in the society.  He also praised Ambode from remembering his roots and assured the community that he would do even more as governor of the state.

    “Beautiful people have come out of this school.  The APC chairman for Lagos State, Henry Ajomale, graduated from this school.  Just like these children are seated here, that was how Ambode too was when he started from this school.  These children will become big like them someday.  We have just started.  I am happy that after thinking about what to do Ambode decided to start from the school where he was trained,” he said.

    The school’s Head Teacher, Augustina Nwaezapu said the intervention started like a joke.  She said before the rehabilitation, the school was in a very bad shape given its age.  However, with the refurbishment, teachers and parents are happy about the learning environment.

    “Before now, some of the buildings were going bad.  Such renovation makes people to be attracted to the school.  It started like play.  Two people came here and said Ambode sent them.  Then, I did not know him.  But I was happy.  If we have people like this that remember that St Jude made them, it will be good.  I told them to tell him that the board that he used and the chairs he used were still there.  After two weeks they came to ask what we actually needed and I told them they could do anything.  Today, they have removed all the blackboards and provided us with 10 white boards, created a playroom with toys, provided teachers’ furniture and promised more, and wired the whole building,” she said.

    Going forward, Mrs Osoba said the foundation plans to stock the school library with books and keep in touch with the pupils through regular counseling programme.

     

  • Old students celebrate their alma mater

    Baptist Academy, Obanikoro, Old Students’ Association (BAOSA) has rolled out the drums to felicitate with its alma mater- Baptist Academy Obanikoro, as it clocked 159 last week.

    Its National President, Chief Olatunde Onakoya, told excited guests, pupils and parents at the school’s Founder’s Day that the old boys have not relented in ensuring that their alma mater reclaim its past glory.

    Onakoya praised an alumnus’ plan to construct a state-of-the-art library valued at N50 million.

    He said: “This (library) will be a modern library with e-books. It is our hope that it will be started very soon, it is being donated by Sir Kessington Adebutu a graduate of the 1956 set.  We believe in the next few months it will come to form”

    The national secretary of the association, Mr Adeniyi Thompson, desribed the Founder’s Day, which held at Shepherdhill Baptist Church, as a rallying point for all past graduates of the school.

    He added that other projects have been carried out by other class sets.

    He said: “Some class sets upgraded the old library while others upgraded the chemistry laboratory. Last year, another set donated communications systems. So there are different projects.”

    Speaking on the state of education in the country Adeniyi said: “The truth about education in Nigeria is that we haven’t taken it as serious as we should. Today, you find many people here going abroad to seek better education, but it was not so in our time because education at the homefront was rated high. So, I wish the government pay more attention to education in Nigeria, pay motivate teachers and devote more resources to develop pupils because they are going to lead us tomorrow,” Adeniyi said.

    The principal, Mrs Abosede Ladoba, said the school has produced many dignitaries, adding that, the school is always proud of its old boys.

  • Chika Ike visits alma mater in style

    Chika Ike visits alma mater in style

    Popular Nollywood actress Chika Ike has visited her alma mater, St. Francis Catholic Secondary School in Idimu, Lagos.

    The actress, who was the Head Girl at the school, talked to the students on the importance of staying in school.

    The visit also served as an opportunity to bring the students and teachers together to pray for the school girls abducted by the terrorist group, Boko Haram, in Chibok, Bornu State.

    The students, while expressing their fears and concerns, said their happiest moment would be when the missing girls are returned to their respective homes.

    Ike, 29, is a graduate of Human Kinetics and Health Education from the University of Lagos, Akoka.

    The CEO of Fancy Nancy Collections landed her first roles in Sweet love and Bless the Child directed by TChidi Chikere.

  • Oyakhilome endows hall, donate generator to alma mater

    •VC: first huge  donation by  an individual

    Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State enjoyed its first huge endowment last week when Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, President of Believers’ Love World (Christ Embassy), handed over the keys to a 650-capacity ultra-modern auditorium and a 100 KVA sound proof generator to Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

    The Acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Cordelia Agbebaku, said it marked the first time an individual would donate such an “edifice to the university since its inception”.

    Oyakhilome, an alumnus of AAU, said he was encouraged to undertake the project by the determination of the leadership of the university to provide for the needs of the students.

    He said: “It is to use this as the first phase and to serve as a catalyst for others to join hands in developing the country. The problem is not the management of our natural resources but managing the potentials locked up in the minds of our teeming youths whose education cannot be separated from the aspiration of the country.”

    Oyakhilome sought permission from Governor Oshiomhole to “provide solar-powered lantern to each student resident in the campus and solar-powered street lightings.”

    He praised the governor for his developmental strides in the state, saying such will galvanise others to strife for more.

    Responding, Oshiomhole commended the pastor for his “vision and commitment,” describing him as a global icon.

    “Pastor Chris is not just a good ambassador of the university, but of the state and the entire country. We are here, not only to commission a building but to attest that by his conduct, he is giving to others,” he said.

    Agbebaku said she was not surprised by the gift, giving Oyakhilome’s antecedents.

    “This is not surprising because the donor as a man of God, knows the importance of being a cheerful giver, aside from being an alumnus of this university,” she said.

    Agbebaku also expressed gratitude to governor Oshiomhole whose support, she said has continued to spur development in the university. She also praised the release of N300 million by the governor out of the N500 million he promised to give to the university in late 2013.

  • Old students plan for alma mater

    Old students plan for alma mater

    Old students of Archbishop Aggey Memorial Secondary School, Mushin, Lagos are planning big for their alma mater this year.

    Chief on their plan is to get the school, which was closed in 2009, reopened.

    They spoke last Thursday at a reunion/launch at Toks-Toks Event Centre, Mushin.

    The event also featured the inauguration of Mr Ilesanmi Adeyemi as the new president of the association and 16 other executives.

    Adeyemi said the association’s vision is “to revitalise our society and foster stronger relationship between the past students of Archbishop Aggey Memorial Secondary School.”

    He also said the mission of the association is to see the school returned to its former glory and operate once again as a secondary school.

    “Our main mission is to get our school back no matter what. I am so happy seeing my principal after 20 years and also happy to see my teachers,” he said.

    To achieve their aim, Adeyemi urged the former pupils to work as a team, noting that a tree cannot make a forest.

    The school was closed and its pupils shared to other schools in 2009 when its proprietors decided to convert its football field into a sports/recreational centre. At the moment, the school’s buildings have become a refuse dump.

    The President of the 1998 set of the association, Olukokun Adeshola said the school, has become an eyesore, urging the old pupils and teachers to see the gathering as an avenue to work.

    The Vice President of the 1992 set of the group, Philip Adedeji, said a lot had been done to regain the school by meeting with various personalities after its closure. He also gave kudos to the Lagos State government.

    A former principal of the school, Mrs Rachel Onayinka, who said she was delighted to be at the event, prayed that their efforts to reopen the school would be fruitful.

    “My happiest moment was being the principal of Archbishop Aggey. I pray that the turning around you have started will happen in our presence,” she said.

     

  • Alumni rally for alma mater

    To boost the learning of information technology in their alma mater, old pupils of Owu Community Comprehensive High School, Elere Adubi in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, have set up an Information Communications Technology (ICT) Centre to be launched on Saturday during a reunion programme in the school.

    The school’s old students’ association will be inaugurated same day.

    According to a release by one of the old students, Mr Jimoh Ayinde, endowment of the centre is another move to check the tide of neglect and under-funding of the school by the government.

    Ayinde added that the old students plan to give the school a facelift and also impact the pupils by volunteering to teach, especially the science subjects.

    “We want to stimulate enthusiasm for the physical sciences, and also provide scholarship for the pupil with the best result in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination,” he said.

    He spoke of plans to upload a website and establish an e-library to give the school access to academic resources of international public schools.

     

  • Seeking the best for their alma mater

    Old students of Anwar-Ul-Islam College formerly Ahmaddiya College in Agege, a Lagos suburb, held a reunion dinner at the Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, last Friday in commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the school. NNEKA NWANERI writes.

    IT is a yearly tradition. Every year, old students of Anwar-ul Islam College in Agege, Lagos gather for their reunion. This year’s coincided with the celebration of their alma mater’s 65th anniversary. The two-in-one celebration was held at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja last Friday. As the night wore on, the old boys and their guests kept bubbling inside the hotel’s hall. The gathering was not only for merrymaking, it was also to raise fund for the school, formerly known as Ahmadiyya College.

    Many of the old boys were dressed in either white or blue native attires with caps to match. The caps were in the school colours of blue and gold. Their wives and other female guests used ipele and gele of the same colours. The hall was decorated in white, with a large banner welcoming guests, hanging on the wall over the dais where some dignitaries sat.

    President of Anwaru-Ul Islam College, Agege Old Students Association (ACAOSA), Alhaji Lawal Pedro (SAN), said the school gave them an opportunity to acquire western education.

    The chairman of the occasion and a former judge of the World Court, Prince Bola Ajibola, (SAN) said his love for the college reminds him of a part in Shakespeare’s Macbeth which says: “The love that follows us is our problem”.

    He also spoke of his hero and a one time student of the college the late Justice Olawale Elias.

    “All through his life, he was instrumental to making the young ones to study law in the United Kingdom.

    “He was a great contribution to Nigeria from the great Anwar-Ul Islam College, Agege. I also recall those days when we used to sit at his feet in Britain, where he will urge us to move on with our legal pursuit,” he said.

    In a lecture, a university teacher, Prof Sherif Adetoro, also an old boy relieved the school’s yesteryear.

    On a large projector slide, guests were shown the present state of the school and how the old boys want it to look like in no distant time.

    Dr Abiodun Afolabi Tajudeen was given the task of raising funds.

    Everyone present had something to say about the school.

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Idiat Adebule, said the government is happy that the old boys are concerned about their school.

    “School days are the best days of our lives because it was fun,” said former Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, an old boy.

    “I am who I am today because of the college. Those formative years were so strong and that is why we honour the name of the school. We are either the best or nothing,” he said.

    Mr Lateef Babalola bagged the president’s award for Best Old Student; Mukaila Bashua (SAN), got the Distinguished Life award.

    In attendance were Prof Saheedat Mabadeje; Senator Muniru Muse; Bolaji Ajimotokan; Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Hon Oyinlomo Danmole; President, Anwar-Ul Islam Mission, Alhaji Mustapha Oshodi; Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Wale Ahmed; Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Lagos, Mr Ade Ipaye; Justice Fatai Adeyinka(rtd); Mr Rahman Alarape; Muftau Ottun; Hameed Rasaq; Hameed Ogunnaike, Mukadas Akinwande; Hakeem Ogunniran; Tunde Olubando; Secretaries from different Ministries and members of the Lagos Executive Council.

  • Ex-pupils to improve alma mater

    The 1992 sets of Oluwole Primary School, Akoka, Lagos, under the aegis of OPSA 92, have pledged to make their alma mater compete with private-owned schools within the environ.

    The association’s President, Ikechukwu Nwanna, made the pledge when he led other members of the association to donate a set of three drums to the school.

    Nwanna explained that his set, is very much concerned about the development of the school, “hence our reason for coming together to start this association upon which we intend to take the school to a level in which it can compete not only with other government but private-owned schools within this area.

    “We are starting with the donation of drum set, because we are still having the challenge of bringing a lot of our people together. It is only few of us that are still showing interest and we hope to bring others to the fold as time goes on. By the time we get enough membership, we are sure of executing bigger projects that will attract a large number of people to this school.

    “We are appealing that you accept this little we have brought, it is a way of giving back to our source. This is our foundation and we should not forget it. We have a lot in mind to give back and we hope that with time, we will be able to do more for the school,” Nwanna said.

    He, however, advised the pupils to be good ambassadors of the school. Nwannan explained that he and many of his colleagues are making progress in their various fields of discipline.

    “Though we are not where we wish to be now, but we know that we are going places. So you all should also strive hard to become someone in life,” he said.

    Headmistress of the school, Mrs Medoh Elizabeth Uzo, expressed appreciation to the association, saying: “I am glad that this is happening while I’m still here. It is very rare to see old pupils of public schools remember their alma mater.

    “I really commend your set for this gesture, though, you are seeing it as small, but this is something we really appreciate. We know how much it will cost if we want to acquire this on our own, but you have come to our rescue. We pray that God will help you to accomplish all your aims for the school,” she said.

    Uzo, therefore, urged members of the association to liaise with the local government chairman whenever they have any massive project to execute, noting: “Such move will assist you a lot. If there is any bigger project you have in mind, get in touch with the Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) chairman.

     

    “He is accessible; he operates an open-door policy. I am very sure he will be ready to assist you. I am hoping to see your set do a lot for this school and I believe that the name of your set will not be forgotten when the history of this school is to be written,” Uzor added.

    The Headboy of the school, Ikechukwu Obi while giving the vote of thanks, expressed gratitude to the association, saying “we are very happy for these drums. We promise to make good use of them and as Oliver Twist, we want you to look at other areas you can come in to assist us.”