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Tag: alma

  • Alma mater gets sick bay

    Alma mater gets sick bay

    The old students of CAC Grammar School (CAPOSTO), Efon-Alaaye in Ekiti State (1979 – 84 set), have donated a sick bay to the 65-year old school.

    The facility was donated in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of their graduation from the school.

    The chairman of the Project Committee. Dr. Olusola Dada, who lauded the set, said the ceremony was not just a celebration of a building, but that of vision, commitment, collective sacrifice, and love for the alma mater.

    Dada said the school shaped their early years, nurtured their dreams, and laid the foundation for who they have become in the society.

    He added: “As we commission this sick bay today, we are not just unveiling a building—we are sowing a seed of care, hope, and continuity. “May this project inspire other sets, partners, and stakeholders to continue supporting the growth and development of CAC Grammar School.”

    Dada, Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and bursar of Yaba College of Technology, explained the motivation for embarking on the project.

    He said: “Health is the cornerstone of learning. A child who is unwell cannot concentrate, cannot participate, and cannot thrive.

    “For years, the school has needed a dedicated and properly equipped health facility to respond to emergencies, attend to minor illnesses, and support the overall wellbeing of students and staff.

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    “Realising this gap, our set resolved that as we mark 40 years since we graduated, we must leave behind a tangible contribution that addresses a real need, aligns with global best practices, and promotes a safe, healthy learning environment.”

    Hailing the commitment of the old students, Dada said “this project represents months of planning, fundraising, design, construction, supervision, and collaboration.”

    He thanked them for their unwavering support, moral encouragement, and financial contributions, which brought the vision to life.

    Dada also lauded the school administration for their cooperation and guidance throughout the project, and to the contractors for delivering quality work that meet the expectations.

    He added: “It is our hope that this facility will improve student wellbeing, reduce avoidable health complications, and enhance the overall learning experience in this great institution.”

    Dada urged the school leadership, teachers, and students to take ownership of this facility, maintain, protect and use it responsibly.

    He praised the committee members, supporters and other stakeholders for their support.

    These include the presidend of CAPOSTO Old Students Association, Dr. Adekunle Ojo (SAN), the patron, Prof. Adio Folayan, an eminent pharmacist and cleric, Bishop Gbenga Oni, Ajayi Magret, Funke E. Fayehun, an engineer, Suyi Dada, a chartered accountant, Mrs. Gbemisola Dada Gbemisola, and the builder, Goke Oluwasola.

  • To boost alma mater campaign: Ogun commissions donor relations office

    Ogun State Government has commissioned a donor relations office at the State Secretariat, Abeokuta, the state capital in furtherance of its commitment in developing the educational sector.

    The State Governor Ibikunle Amosun at the event said the office was to support the campaign for Alma Mater Initiative by the Educational Initiative for Development in Western Nigeria aimed at re-visiting the alma maters in a bid to upgrade the decaying infrastructures on ground.

    The governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Tolu Odebiyi, said donor relation office was a demonstration of the administration’s support for the programme and its interest in uplifting the educational status of the State. He noted that the government will deploy resources to support alumni associations in its genuine effort to sustain schools.

    Amosun explained that the donor office was designed as a one- stop shop for all stakeholders  in the education sector to relate with government  about their plans that would enable them receive appropriate support from government.

  • Old students spend N25m on alma mater

    Ahead of the 60th anniversary of the Methodist High School, Ilesa in Osun State, its old students’ association has spent about N25 million to renovate dilapidated buildings and provide other necessary infrastructure in the school.

    The money was spent to construct a new school gate and drive, re-roof five blocks, consisting of 29 classrooms among others.

    Addressing a press conference, the President Old students’ Association, Methodist High School, Ilesa (OSAMTHSI), Dideolu Falobi, disclosed that the old students are already preparing a series of activities to give the school a befitting 60th anniversary.

    Falobi, who further disclosed that the anniversary is scheduled for January 29-31, 2016 said the old students’ support for the school is to enhance learning outcomes in order to give the current students a secured future.

    He said the old students would not relent in restoring the school’s past glory.

    The association, according to him,  is also planning to build an e-library/ICT centre and a new sport centre with modern facilities as well as renovate 11 blocks of classrooms and complete the school hall.

    Though acknowledging the financial challenges facing the state, Falobi appealed to the state government to support the old students in their quest to ensure that the standard of the school does not go down.

    He also called on the parents, who have their wards in the school, distinguished Ijesa sons and daughters, the Methodist Church and other stakeholders as well as industries, banks and others in the private sector within and outside Ijesaland to come to the aid of the school.

     

  • Invest in your alma mater

    The National President FUNAAB Alumni Association, Prof Lateef Sanni, has urged members of the association to look for avenues to invest in the university.

    Sanni, who is also the Dean, College of Food Science and Human Ecology (COLFHEC), said this during the 18th annual convention and 17th annual lecture series of the association.

    “What I am calling for is that you need to come back to the university and invest either as individuals or as groups,” he said.

    Sanni said they could invest in the International Scholars’ and Resources Centre (IS&RC), the Zoological Park and the various crop and livestock projects on the campus.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Oyewole, praised the association for its contribution to the overall development of the university through its yearly scholarship awards for indigent students and other initiatives.

    The convention’s lecture entitled: “Improving Rural Livelihood for National Food Security”, was delivered by Prince Adetokunbo Ogundipe, Director of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ibarapa Local Government, Eruwa, Oyo State.

    Highpoint of the event was the conferment of distinguished awards on two personalities, the first VC, Prof Julius Okojie, and the Pioneer Registrar, Princess Adebisi Gbadebo-Soboyejo, for their contributions to the development of the university over the years.

     

  • Ex-students decry decay in alma mater

    Old boys of the Government College Ibadan (GCI), are not happy about the state of their alma mater.

    They complain that the present state of the school is far from what it used to be in their time.

    Speaking during a briefing to announce activities to mark the school’s 85th anniversary on Monday, the National President, Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association (GCIOBA), Chief Biodun Jolaoso, said that up to the late 70s, GCI was a citadel of learning with airy classrooms, trimmed sports fields, well-equipped science laboratories and a thriving boarding system.

    He said: “Then, the boys drank from the fountain of knowledge of their masters, both white and black in the Arts, Science and Technical Subjects. The boys had a rounded education that moulded and equipped them to face the challenges of life with courage, candour and excellence. The boys were taught team spirit and leadership.

    “But today, the story is totally different. The school is facing serious challenges including decaying infrastructures, academic decadence, poor staffing, over population, security and sanitary problems, decaying sports culture and many more. There are over 3,000 pupils in GCI today with only about 20 regular teachers. Such teachers/pupils ratio can never produce academic excellence.”

    In the last 10 years, Jolaoso said the old boys have invested more than N150 million to upgrade the school’s facilities.  However, he called for a partnership between the association and the Oyo State government to effectively address the challenges facing the school.

    “The old boys are ready to partner with the state government in a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement. Such PPP arrangement will involve creation of new policies on the quality of both pupils and teachers; partnership with other alumni associations and new curriculum development; establishment of a board of governors for the school; development of an infrastructural master plan including buildings, sports facilities, roads, furniture, hostels and staff, sourcing funds for the, school including endowments, grants and direct alumni intervention and restoring the values and traditions of the founding fathers,” he said.

    He noted that activities lined up for the programme, begins tomorrow with a public lecture titled: Challenges of Re-Inventing Quality Education in Nigeria.  The lecture, to be delivered by the Chairman, Governing Council, Lead City University Ibadan, Prof Jide Owoeye, is to hold at the Jogor Centre, Off Liberty Stadium Road, Ibadan.

    A jumat service at the GCI mosque and a novelty football match between the GCIOBA team and Legelu Grammar School Old Students team are also scheduled to hold tomorrow. (The Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, is expected to captain the Lagelu Old Students’ team for the match that would hold at the GCI main field opposite Lafia Hotel, Ibadan.) The 50th anniversary dinner of the GCI 1964 set would also hold by 6.30 pm at Kakanfo Inn conference centre Joyce B, Ring Road, Ibadan.

    On Saturday, the old boys would gather at the GCI assembly hall to sing songs at an event, which will also feature the association’s AGM and election of new officers, memorial service and group photograph.

    Jolaoso said same day, the Hall of Fame and Scroll of GCIOBA honours awards recipients, a new library donated by the University Press and other projects would be launched at Lalekan Are Hall, GCIOBA house complex.

  • Ex-students give back to alma mater

    The 1979-1984 set of the Nigerian Military School Zaria, Ex-boys Association, has donated classroom furniture worth N5 million to their alma mater.

    The National Coordinator, NMS Ex-boys Association (79-84 set), Deji Fisho made this known at the association’s 30th Anniversary Award Dinner and Gala in Abuja.

    He explained that the gesture was part of the group’s commitment to development of the school.

    “We have been involved in supporting best students in various subjects.  We have also been involved in giving back to the school. Today we actually have a programme called ‘Giving Back to NMS’ and we are going to be giving about 1,000 units of tables and chairs to the school,” Fisho said.

    The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the anniversary, Mr. Chidi Onuogo, explained that the donation was based on needs assessment of the school.

    “There are so many things you can do for a school, but based on needs assessment, we took a trip to the school, spoke to the commandant and asked him what he would want us to do and then he led us and said he would be happy if we could contribute by donating seats and desks tothe students,” he said.

    Guest speaker, Rear Admiral Godwill Aye Ombo (rtd), said many old boys had donated to the school in the past two years. He urged others to emulate them.

    “The set that passed out in 1993 donated 20 computers to celebrate the 20th year of their P.O.P. Senator Major Sani Sale also renovated the Boy’s RSM Quarters; another ex-boy built a swimming pool for the school.

    “I, therefore, urge all ex-boys that we must relent on our spirit of solidarity, we must continue to build up our sets, we must continue to help our junior ones to build up their sets and must all belong to state chapters,” he said.

  • Old boys visit alma mater, 50 years after

    Old boys visit alma mater, 50 years after

    •First project nearing completion

    It took 50 years for the old students of Methodist Boys High School Expressway, Ibadan to build a new school hall for their 53-year-old alma mater.

    The MHS, owned by Methodist Church, and established in February 13, 1961 once flexed muscles with the likes of Loyola College, Government College Ibadan (GCI), in discipline academic and sports. However from early 90’s the fortune of the school began to dwindle. With a surge in students enrolment and no corresponding facilities, MHS soon became a shadow of itself.

    At the school’s Golden Jubilee Anniversary three years ago, some concerned old boys decided to retrace their steps back to their root. The old boys, under the Methodisit Old Boys Association (METHO-OBA) had gathered themselves and resolved to erect a new hall which members believed was the only way to launch moves towards galvanising other to also give back to the school that produced them.

    “I am making a clarion call to the old boys that they should identify with their alma mater. For the first time, we now have something to show that we once passed through here. We need about 30 million more to complete this project,” said MHS National President Dr Akinrinmade Adeyemi at the school 53rd anniversary on Thursday last week.

    The uncompleted school hall within the school premises was the venue of the event, where the old boys believe their colleagues, especially those coming for the first time, would see the level of work done as well as the degree of decline the school has experienced over the years.

    Some of the old boys who attended showed regrets for either being too far away or declining to make financial imput each time a clarion call was made.

    “I would also say I am equally guilty,” said Rev Olufemi Ajanaku, an old student, who also delivered a short sermon.

    “I am from the 69′ set, but ever since I graduated, I’d only been here four times. It might interest you that I live in Ibadan and many of my friends have called me unsuccessfully anytime we have something to do but I would decline. But this last invitation was like a divine intervention. It’s like God wanted to arrest me and I feel so guilty for having been so faraway.”

    In his sermon with the theme: ‘Where are you?’ Ajanaku said just like him, many other old boys have wandered away; hence the need to return home.

    “If you have been moribund, the time to act is now. When I arrived, I felt ashamed because I saw what the old boys have been doing. But I also consoled myself that all I need do is make my own contributions.”

    Akirinmade (72 set) said the state of MHS is like comparing light with darkness.

    “The differences are quite clear! It is like trying to juxtapose life with darkness. All the values the school stands for like hardwork, honesty, humility excellence are almost gone.

    “In terms of infrastructure, you can see the building we used during our time are still the same buildings the students are still using now. There has been few interventions by the state governments, but some of the buildings government provided are not strong, some of them have even collapsed. That means the quality of work done is very poor; and that is a reflection of people that have been in power ever since.”

    The cost of the hall, he explained, was initially put at N60 million, but through the frugality of the association, was pruned down to N37, with N12 million which has already seen the project to its present state.

    The school’s Headboy Olaleye Mayowa called on the old boys to assist in supplying items such as rheostat, volts meter rectangular prism among others into the school laboratory.

    “Our SS3 block is also no longer good. The Arts students don’t have teachers in Literature in English. We need assistance in these two key areas,” he said.

     

  • UNIZIK alumni sue alma mater

    The Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, Anambra State Alumni Association has dragged its alma mater, and its Vice Chancellor, Prof Boniface Egboka, to the Federal High Court, Awka for denying it access to the fees paid by graduating students of the institution to the association.

    In the Suit No FHC/CS/AWK/300/2013 its lawyer, Chike Okafor, sought a declaration that the alumni registration fees received by the university from students, belong to the association.

    It prayed the court to order the university to render account of the funds in its custody.

    The association is seeking an order of the court restraining the varsity and its agents from accessing or withdrawing from the bank accounts where the fees are kept except by the association’s permission.

    It is claiming N2 million as general damages for stress and stagnation inflicted on the association’s officials, saying that they were constrained by the university’s actions to operate without the benefit of their fund.

    It is also seeking another N2million for breach of contract.