Former students, under the aegis of the Fatima College Ikire Old Boys’ Association [FACOBA], Osun State, yesterday, urged the Federal Government to issue an Executive Order and state governments to expedite action for the return of schools owned by missions to the original owners.
It will be recalled that some state governments took over the administration of schools owned by missionaries, among them is Fatima College, Ikire.
The outgoing President of FACOBA , Pastor Henry Otoibhi, and the newly-elected president, Elder Olugbenga Johnson Ajayi, made the call while speaking at the Annual General Meeting [AGM] of the association.
Part of the AGM include the election of new Executives of the association. The election, which was conducted by Prof. Christopher Adeigbe of the University of Ibadan, saw the emergence of Elder Ajayi as the president. Ajayi slugged it out with Mr. Olaore Muyiwa.
Speaking after the election, the new president called on the government to return the schools to the original owners.
Speaking on his plan for the association, Ajayi said there would be more meetings with stakeholders and an improvement of the previous achievements. Partner governments and collaborate with elders.
Ajayi said: ‘’I feel elated. It was not a day job. I will embrace all-inclusive leadership, collaboration with all stakeholders, transparency and accountability’’.
On his part, the outgoing president, Pastor Otoibhi, who led the association from 2021 to 2024, said: ‘’If I have my way, the schools the government took from the missions should be handed over to the missions. They should consider returning the schools to missionaries. They are the original owners. President Bola Tinubu should issue an Executive Order for the return of those schools to the original owners‘’.
In his speech, the Managing Director /Chief Executive Officer of Petrocam Training Nigeria Limited, Dr. Patrick Ilo, who carried out the renovation of Prof. Sir. Joseph Obemeata Administrative Block of the school, said: ‘’The renovation of this building is not just a physical upgrade; it is a symbol of our commitment to the values that Fatima College represents: excellence, compassion, and service. It’s a testament to the power of collaboration and generosity, as we come together to create a better learning environment for our students’’.
END
