…W’Bank’s ex-specialist, Olayinka, Oshunkeye, others canvass more funding for education
By Wuraola Oyedokun
The need for more funding in the education sector rent the air at the golden anniversary of the 1974 set of Ilesa Grammar School Old Students’ Association.
The students, who were in the school from 1970 to 1974, graduated from the famous Ilesa Grammar School 50 years ago.
Going down memory lane, the old students had come together in December 2016 to establish the CLUB 74 at the Vice-Chancellor’s Lodge of the University of Ibadan. The former students of the sought-after secondary school felt it was significant to mark its golden jubilee. They were unanimous that it was imperative to give back to the school that inculcated in them the rare virtues of ‘omoluabi’ at their formative stage.
The old students, now accomplished professionals, professors of note, media tycoons, captains of industry, and prominent personalities gathered at the Old Ilesa Grammar School Hall, Ilesa, Osun State to reminisce of those days and other significant events that happened during their studentship. They were joined by their friends, relatives, and others from all walks of life.
To demonstrate their love for the alma mater, the students donated a state-of-the-art and well-equipped computer laboratory, comprising 25 units of brand new desktop computers with full accessories, a fast speed modem for internet access, relevant softwares and a generating set to power the laboratory.
Speaking at the ceremony, the President of CLUB 1974, and former Managing Director of The Sun Publishing Ghana Limited, Chief Shola Oshunkeye, said it was a day of gratitude for him and all for God to spare their lives to witness the day after 50 years of graduation. Oshunkeye went down memory lane stating that Elder Funsho Dada emerged as the first president of Club 74. The former Editor-in-Chief lauded the former president for his strides and the National President of Ilesa Grammar School Old Students’ Association, Dr. Obi Daramola for his visionary leadership.
Oshunkeye said: ‘’It is a day of gratitude. If we looked back, 50 years is a life span. It is the day of gratitude because God has spared our lives. I thank Dr. Obi Daramola for the kind of national leadership he is providing. Some years ago, Prof. Olayinka hosted us and from there we elected Elder Funsho Dada as our pioneer president. He was our captain consistently from 1970-1974. After two terms of two years each, the association elected me. I thank Elder Dada for the foundation he laid. It is the day of gratitude for us to see our teachers’’.
Speaking on the state of education in Nigeria, Oshunkeye lamented the neglect the sector has suffered. He, therefore, called for adequate funding of education for the country to achieve the much-needed development.
He said: ‘’In the 21st century, there are schools with hanging roofs, which are falling apart. There are those with no sitting space. There are children who take instructions under trees. It should not be so. Whether through mischief or misplaced priority, people in charge deliberately underfund education.
‘’Any nation that underfunds education will end up producing the mediocre. That is why we have graduates who are not employable. That is the sad reality of our situation. It is high time we all need to cooperate in order to change the narrative by ensuring adequate funding, putting the right square in the right hole and getting our curriculum right.
‘’Without the old students, you can imagine what this 90 year old school would have been today. Education is very important. We should take education seriously in this country. It is ironic that professors are earning around N500,000 monthly while lawmakers in Abuja are earning humongous salaries. An average Nigerian senator earns more than the American President.
”Government must improve funding for education and make our teachers more comfortable so that they can be more productive and committed. The federal and state governments must do something on proper funding of education’’.
Also speaking, the Golden Jubilee celebration Organising Committee Chairman, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, said the idea is to give back to the school. Olayinka said they were taught to always make differences anywhere they found themselves. “The idea is to give back to the school and make differences”, he said.
The immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan also emphasised the need for more investment in education at all levels.
In his lecture, a Professor of Agricultural Economics, University of Ibadan and retired World Bank Lead Specialist, Foluso Okunmadewa, said it was better to give than to receive.
Prof. Okunmadewa said Club 74 had moved the next generation forward by putting in their hands the equipment for today’s market.
The anniversary lecturer said: ‘’You have moved the next generation forward by putting in their hands the equipment for today’s market. God will replenish your purses. God will continue to bless you. You have joined the league of destiny helpers and changers. This is thoughtful and forward-looking’’.
The professor anchored his lecture and reasons to give on three planks. He maintained that life is not about what one gets but what one gives. The scholar reiterated his belief in giving forward, not giving backward, adding that those that give would not lack anything.
The don said: ‘’Why should we give? There are three reasons. The first is that life is not about what you get; it is about what you give. The more you give, the more you make people grow, the more joyous you become. Life is not about the houses or cars you buy but how you have been able to impact lives. It is not about your acquisition but your impacts and what you give to humanity that matters.
‘’The second is what do you give? I believe in giving forward, not giving backward. What you should give ought to be what will change people’s lives; bring progress, and lead to advancement. We need to let the younger ones know that there is more to life than Internet fraud, cultism and social vices. Today’s students need mentorship, guidance and counseling. Old students can do that. We can give so many things.
‘’The third thing is the return of giving. When you give, you are not going to miss anything or lack anything. Destiny helpers will show up for you. There is a return for giving. Dorcas was a typical example in the Bible’’.
Toeing the same line with Olayinka and Oshunkeye, Okunmadewa said it was expedient to invest more in education.
He, however, said the government alone could not provide funds for the sector. The agricultural economics professor, therefore, called on privileged Nigerians, private sector operators, civil societies and old students to join the government in investing more into the sector.
He said: ‘’Education should receive more funding. But I believe that education cannot be funded only by the government. The government has a lot of responsibilities and unfortunately the amount of schools and centres that the government has to fund is quite huge. So, that is why old students, the private sector, and civil society organisations should play a key role.
’’I’m insisting that the funding of education should not be only the money. There are ways people can fund in kind and it will make a difference like it has done in the past. So, we are encouraging all those with wherewithal to join hands to mould the children who are the future of Nigeria’’.
In his remarks, the national president of the school old students, Dr. Obi Daramola, thanked the CLUB74 and the chairman for the benevolence, saying: ‘’We will make the best use of the equipment donated by the set’’.
In his charge to the students, the Elegboro of Ijebu-jesa, Oba [Engr.] Moses Agunsoye, urged them to work hard anywhere they find themselves. ‘’Work hard, be focused, prayerful, useful, and become an asset. Don’t compare yourself to anyone’’, the monarch said.
On his part, Chief Afolabi Igbaroola said the Ilesa Grammar School in him has been helping him. ‘’Put on every effort to ensure you excel in life’’, he told the students.
Also speaking, Alhaji Lateef Bakare, a Chartered Accountant, said the laboratory would make the students ready for the digital age where they would acquire Artificial Intelligence [AI] and cyber-security skills. Bakare urged the students to learn from the old student, saying there is no shortcut to success.
Responding, the Senior School Principal, Mr. Samuel Idowu Egunjobi and his junior school counterpart, Mrs. Temilade Yomi Mohammed, thanked the old students for the gesture.
Some of the highlights of the programme included an Award of Excellence given to their English teacher, Mrs Modupe Esan, and Sir Johnson Bolatito Akintoye, who was their Biology teacher.
The awardees thanked their students for honouring them, praying for more successes in their endeavours.
Personalities at the event included the president, Atakunmosa High School Old Students’ Association, Alhaji Lateef Bakare; Prof. Kola Kazeem, Chief Afolabi Igbaroola, Professor Foluso Okunmadewa (1973 Set), Professor of Agricultural Economics University of Ibadan and retired World Bank Office, Abuja; the Elegboro of ijebu-jesa, Oba [Engr.] Moses Agunsoye; the Onilaje of Ilaje, Oba Afolabi Makanjuola; the Onimo of Imo, Oba Niyi Agunbiade; Chief Olurotimi Oluborode and a host of others.The Elegboro of Ijebu-jesa commissioned the facility.
END
1 Comment
I’m proud to be one of the old student of Ilesha grammar school 07 set,I promise myself to do something tangible to the school. May God help me. Amen