Celebrations, accolades as Methodist High School Arigbajo clocks 60

For the students, staff and Old Students of Methodist High School, Arigbajo, Ogun State, it was celebration galore last week, as the rolled out its drums in celebration of the School’s 60th anniversary celebration.

The anniversary was not only used to celebrate the achievements and giant strides of the school, which prides itself as the only model school in that area, it was also used to reunite old students, and to set a new target to realise the dream and vision of the institution.

From the week-long activities, which featured several activities like awareness walk, back-to-school, quiz, lecture and many more to the grandfinale, the memory of the Diamond Anniversary will continue to linger for a very long time.

The National President of the Methodist High School Old Students Association Arigbajo (MEHSOSAI), Mr. Sheyic Olasunkanmi Oyegbami, in keynote address during the grandfinale, said the anniversary is a time to reflect on what the school has achieved in the last 60 years, and a great opportunity to showcase the incredible projects connecting the Alumni to the school.

“Therefore, as we gather together again under one roof on this field, this 60th anniversary is a great opportunity to showcase the incredible projects connecting us to the school, and we need always to envelope ourselves with the dream of new projects and donations as we give back to our foundation.

“I stand here today and am deeply humbled by the confidence given to the executive members as we promise to continue to run faster, though we are yet to reach our peak. We need every member’s support.

“Looking back, we can boldly beat our chests, shake our heads and say the ‘labour of our heroes past’ has never being in vain, considering the height the school has attained, the many laurels she has won, her products excelling across all the sectors of the economy and serving as our ambassadors – both home and abroad,” he said.

Oyegbami noted that over the years, the enrollment had increased tremendously, with new structures adorning nooks and crannies of the school, coupled with the presence of quality teachers and principals who had written their names in gold.

He noted that past Alumni executives did their best to ensure that the school sustains her status as a force to reckon with among the committee of model schools in the state, adding that their efforts are evidence for all to see.

“And since this current administration came on board, we have increased the tempo. In the last three years, we have been able to facilitate and implement the following projects – the mini stadium (the only in both Ifo and Ewekoro Local Governments); removal of shanties; construction of Senior Biyi Legacy Block of Classrooms; Alumni Secretariat building (Under construction); donation of generators to both Senior and Junior schools; donation of 10 desktop computers; flooring of Senior Secondary School classrooms; donation of 55” LED Television to Junior Secondary School for e-learning; donation of Subjects Discs to both Senior and Junior Schools; and renovation of Senior Secondary School Science Laboratory, among others.

“I deeply appreciate the current BoT members of our great institution; they have been working tirelessly to bring more development to the school. Excellence is never an accident; it is always the result of high intentions, sincere efforts and intelligent execution as it takes grit to achieve greatness.”

While noting that the school is facing many challenges currently, ranging from dearth of infrastructure, paucity of fund, indiscipline among students, and insecurity among others, the President said it is time for the old students to rise up, come together and forge a common ground to fight these challenges headlong, to avert the drowning of the school.

“I appeal to all our great members to key into the construction of MEHSOSAI secretariat, which is a legacy project. The construction is in progress and the project still needs more cash for timely completion.

“As a matter of serious concerns, I do appeal and encourage our members to pay their annual dues as and when due, so that the association can complete the ongoing projects and embark on new ones,” he said.