Old students donate computer lab to alma mater

In a bid to give back to the alma mater, the 1974 set of Ilesa Grammar School Old Students’ Association, recently donated a well-equipped computer laboratory, comprising 25 units of desktop computers, Internet access, relevant software, and a generating set to the school.

The old students, who were in the school between 1970 and 1974, graduated 50 years ago.

They came together in December 2016 to establish the ‘Club ’74’ at the Vice Chancellor’s lodge of the University of Ibadan (UI).

In celebration of their golden jubilee, the old students, now accomplished professionals, professors, media tycoons and captains of industry, said it was imperative to give back to the school that groomed and prepared them for future challenges at their formative stage.

Speaking at the Old Ilesa Grammar School Hall in Osun State, the President, Chief Shola Oshunkeye, lamented the neglect the sector has suffered over the years.

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 leaking roofs, there are classrooms with no sitting space, and children who take instructions under trees. It should not be so. Whether through mischief or misplaced priority, people in charge deliberately underfunded education, and any country that underfunds education will end up producing mediocre.

“That is why we have graduates who are not employable. That is the sad reality of our situation. It is high time we joined hands to change the narrative by ensuring adequate funding, putting round pegs in square holes and getting our curriculum right,” Oshunkeye stated.

Chairman, organising committee, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, said the idea was to give back to their alma mater.

Olayinka, the immediate past vice-chancellor of UI, also emphasised the need for more investment in education at all levels.

In his lecture, a Professor of Agricultural Economics and retired World Bank Lead Specialist, Foluso Okunmadewa, said the association moved the next generation forward by providing them with necessary tools needed to be relevant in the 21st century.

He also joined other speakers in the call for government at all levels to adequately fund the sector.

He, however, noted that government alone cannot fund the sector alone, and called on privileged Nigerians, private sector operators, civil societies and old students to join in uplifting the sector.

National President of the association, Dr Obi Daramola, thanked the ’74 set and assured that the infrastructure would be put to good use.

Responding, the senior school principal, Mr Samuel Egunjobi, and his junior school counterpart, Mrs Temilade Mohammed, thanked the old students for the gesture.