By Treasure Somidotun,
Two-term Senator representing Osun Central Senatorial District, Professor Sola Adeyeye and Dr Victoria Adunola Samson (BOVAS),
were among old students of the Ilesa Grammar School, honoured at the banquet organised to mark 90th anniversary of the school.
Also on the ‘roll of honour’ are; Her Excellency, Mrs. Aderoju Sinatu Ojikutu, Dr Kunle Hassan, Dr Akin Fapohunda, Chief Supo Shadiya, Chief Bosun Falore, High Chief Olayinka Fasuyi,
Chief Mrs. Funmilayo Victoria Awomolo, SAN, Prof Paul Olomolaiye (University of the West of England), Barr.( Dr.) Janet Olusola Ogundipe-Fashakin (USA) and Olaitan Obileye, PhD UK).
Others include, Chief Afolabi Igbaroola, FCA, Chief Tayo Ayeni (MD Skymit), Pastor Tunji Gbotoso, PhD (USA Physiotherapist), Prince Adeyemi Mayadenu, Chief Seun Oni, Mr Sikiru Wahab and Surveyor Wale Anjorin.
Speaking at the banquet, the chairman of the 90th anniversary planning committee, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro, said ex students who have distinguished themselves in various field were being recognised as part of the 90th anniversary celebrations.
Bolorunduro, who said several developmental projects financed by the old students were also inaugurated during the week long anniversary celebrations, urged alumni of the school to donate generously towards the endowment funds for their alma mater.
He described Adeleke as an impressive achiever who within a year has transformed the state and placed it on a trajectory of people centered development, adding that the governor has earned the confidence of Osun people to enjoy their support for second term in office.
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, who also graced the occasion, in his remarks, explained that the plan by his administration to introduce e-learning project alongside integrated training for teachers would improve quality of education available in public schools in the state.
Adeleke also mentioned ongoing complete rehabilitation of schools and recruitment of teachers, as other innovations meant to revamp the education sector in the state.
He said, “the administration is implementing multiple programmes to enhance the state of education, through ongoing complete rehabilitation of schools, recruitment of teachers, planned integrated retraining of teachers and planned e-learning project to address the question of access to instructional materials.”
Reacting to the anniversary lecture delivered by an alumnus of the school, Dr. Akin Fapohunda, the governor explained that the proposed Government-Alumni Partnership Board was designed to harness alumni contributions for the development of the education sector.
A statement by the spokesperson to the governor, Olawale Rasheed obtained in Osogbo on Sunday, quoting Adeleke further read, “I have directed the Ministry of Education to consult widely while putting up a framework for the operation of the board. It is not going to be another bureaucratic set up. No, it is going to involve a private sector driven structure.
“We are open to ideas on how best to make the board functional and strong enough to fulfill its mandate. My team will reach out to all stakeholders in the process of putting up the structures.
“The paper submitted by the guest lecturer will also be closely studied . I noted all the brilliant ideas. We will make the board as simple as possible. The main goal is to ensure that alumni groups alongside the Parents and Teachers Associations play prominent roles in the development of our schools.”
His paper, the guest lecturer, Dr Akin Fapohunda, who spoke on ‘Stakeholders Involvement: Shaping the future of learning, towards the future of work,’ called for drastic reconfiguration of the educational sector in Nigeria, particularly in Yorubaland.
Fapohunda, a member of 1969 set of the school further said, “Old courses of study have become obsolete. We have neither prepared nor been equipped to acquire new skills as would be required in the future of work. We are hopelessly marooned. A very drastic reconfiguration of the educational sector has become imperative.”
Speaking earlier, the National President of the Ilesa Grammar School Old Students Association, Engr. Obisesan Daramola commended the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, who had laid the foundation for the building of the secretariat he promised the association.
