…. To construct 500-seater ICT center worth N250m as legacy project

The Alumni Association of Egbeoba High School (EHS), Ikole-Ekiti, Ekiti State, have appealed to the Federal Government to restore the 70-year- old school to its original campus, describing its displacement as a painful loss of heritage and identity.

Recall that the former Egbeoba High School was taken over by the Federal Government in year 2000 to house the newly established Federal Government College, Ikole Ekiti.

The Old students raised this concern at the weekend while addressing journalists during a press conference heralding the 70th anniversary of the School titled: “Impacting The Younger Generation Through Quality Education”.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee, Ayodele Ajiboye who spoke at the event, said that the school was relocated in 2000 to paved the way for the establishment of a Federal Government College on its historic site.

According to him, this move by the Federal Government, has brought an abrupt end to 46 years of history tied to the original campus, adding that there’s any other state that gave out old school to the federal government, except in Ekiti.

He lamented that the relocation has severed the emotional and historical connection generations of students had with the institution, leaving alumni with deep nostalgia for the old environment where traditions were built and memories forged.

Ajiboye explained that the displacement not only erased physical landmarks that symbolised the school’s legacy but also disrupted decades of carefully nurtured identity and culture that defined Egbeoba High School in its formative years.

While acknowledging the importance of federal educational expansion, he urged the Federal Government to consider restoring Egbeoba High School to its original location, insisting that reclaiming the school’s heritage would help rekindle unity, pride and continuity among its stakeholders and old students.

His words, “The displacement disrupted decades of tradition, identity and infrastructure. Let me be sincere with you, some of our old students said they would not come for this anniversary because of this, they said this is not the school they attended.

“In fact, when we visited this site this morning, some of our colleagues were crying as a result of the nostalgia. We are pleading with the federal government to please, take us back to our historic site, for the proper development of this Institution”.

On his part, the National President of the Alumni Association, Professor Femi Omotoso described the 70th Anniversary Celebration as a milestone which represents not only longevity but renewal of hope and dignity.

He also outlined the celebration of legacy projects to include procurement of a school bus worth N50 million and the establishment of a 500-capacity modern ICT centre worth N250m, calling on well-meaning individuals to support the Association in realising the vision.

“ICT training is crucial for student development. In fact, that is why Alumni Association is planning to put in place 500-seater ICT center in the school. But we want government to partner with us because we are told that even WAEC and NECO will now do digital e-examination, like what JAMB is doing. So if that is the case, we want government to focus on that.”

Also speaking, one of the living pioneer students of the 70-year- old school, pa Tunde Omoyajowo said that many alumni members became emotional when they visited the former school site, urging the Federal Government to return Egbeoba High School to its former place.

“There was a vast undeveloped land opposite our school during the take over, why did the government not develop it for the new school? And now we have made several submissions, several pleadings to the government to return our school.