Thirty-one years after leaving the classrooms of Eric Moore High School, Surulere, Lagos, members of the school’s Class of 1995 have returned to their alma mater—not merely to reminisce about their school days, but to leave behind a lasting mark.

The old students, under the Eric Moore High School Old Students Association (EMHSOSA), Class of 1995, donated a new school gate and repainted the perimeter fence as part of efforts to improve the appearance and security of the institution.

The projects were formally handed over to the school on Friday, with the alumni also promising to do more, particularly for students who may struggle to meet the cost of external examinations.

For the former students, the gesture was more than a donation. It was a way of saying thank you to the school that helped shape their lives more than three decades ago.

President of the Class of 1995, Mr Lekan Taiwo, said the project was inspired by the desire of members to give back to the institution that gave them their foundation.

“We are students of this school. We graduated about 31 years ago and we came back to say thank you to the school, and then donated this project to the school,” Taiwo said.

He said the association was already planning another intervention aimed at helping students who might be unable to afford registration fees for external examinations, particularly the National Examinations Council (NECO) examination.

“In due course, October 24, by God’s grace, we are still going to launch more projects, especially for our NECO students, those who are unable to pay NECO fees,” he said.

Receiving the projects on behalf of the school, the principals of Eric Moore Senior and Junior High Schools, Messrs Tokunbo Ayemo and Isaac Akinloye, expressed appreciation to the Class of 1995 for remembering their alma mater and contributing to its development.

They also acknowledged the support of the Lagos State Government and other old students and stakeholders whose interventions have helped improve the school’s infrastructure.

Akinloye said the completion of a new school building by the Lagos State Government had brought significant relief to the institution, which had endured years of disruption caused by accommodation challenges.

“The new building is fantastic. It comes at the time it is needed because the school has suffered a lot from moving from one school to another because of building problems,” he said.

According to him, the new facility has enabled the school to settle into a more stable environment where teaching and learning can continue without the disruptions associated with inadequate accommodation.

“We really thank God on behalf of Lagos State and all the people, the old students here and there, who contributed to the success of the new building. We really appreciate them a lot,” Akinloye said.

In a separate letter of appreciation jointly signed by Ayemo and Akinloye, the school management commended the Class of 1995 for contributing to the development and beautification of their alma mater.

The management said the new gate and freshly painted perimeter fence had improved the school’s appearance, security and overall image.

It described the projects as lasting reminders to present and future generations of students of the care, generosity and continued commitment of the school’s old students.

“On behalf of the management, staff and students of Eric Moore Senior and Junior High School, I wish to convey our sincere appreciation to the 1995 Set of Eric Moore High School Old Students for their outstanding contribution to the development and beautification of your alma mater,” the letter stated.

The school also thanked the alumni for their “invaluable support and steadfast commitment” and prayed for continued blessings and greater achievements for members of the Class of 1995.