The newly elected President of the Egba Obafemi Community Grammar School Old Students’ Association, Professor Funso Sonde, has appealed to past students of the institution, particularly those excelling in their various professions, to give back to their alma mater by supporting programmes that will enhance learning for current students and strengthen the national alumni body.
Professor Sonde made the call while delivering his acceptance speech shortly after his election, stressing that unity among old students remains crucial to the progress of the school. Quoting the maxim, “United we stand, divided we fall,” he urged alumni to rise to the responsibility of restoring the institution to its former glory.
He paid glowing tributes to former presidents of the association, Alhaji Musiliu Onifade and the immediate past president, Alhaji Mutiu Dada, for laying a solid foundation for the new executive committee. According to him, the current state of infrastructure in the school falls short of the standards required to support academic excellence.
Lamenting the poor condition of facilities, Professor Sonde questioned how students offering science subjects could excel when the laboratory building had collapsed. He recalled that the situation sharply contrasted with what he experienced about 37 years ago during his teaching practice at the school as a student of the Ogun State College of Education.
The alumni president outlined a four-year development agenda, which includes organising regular motivational programmes for students, rehabilitating dilapidated classroom blocks, completing ongoing alumni projects, and engaging with the Ogun State Ministry of Education to attract more infrastructure development and qualified teachers to the school.
Other planned initiatives include the introduction of welfare programmes to enhance learning outcomes and the establishment of leadership structures for at least the first 20 sets of the school, aimed at expanding the association’s financial membership base both within and outside Nigeria.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Alhaji Mutiu Dada urged alumni to rally behind the new executive committee, noting that government alone could not meet all the needs of educational institutions. He expressed appreciation for the support his administration received, particularly in renovating a seven-bedroom staff quarters to address accommodation challenges and providing modern toilet facilities.
Alhaji Dada also commended the Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, for facilitating the renovation of a block of classrooms through the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
The election produced a new executive team, including Gabriel Jolaoso as Deputy President; Moruf Oyeneye, General Secretary; Musibau Kareem, Treasurer; Hafees Sowemimo, Financial Secretary; Omolaja Agbeleshe, Legal Adviser; Taiwo Gabriel, Public Relations Officer; Suleman Isola, Assistant General Secretary; Sakirudeen Tejuoso, Social/Welfare Officer; Olufunke Shodipo Adebajo, Vice President (Diaspora); and Olusiji Oyesile as Chief Whip.
Professor Sonde concluded the event by inaugurating members of the planning committee charged with organising activities for the school’s golden jubilee celebration scheduled for 2027.
