MCSS ’79 fete alumni, orphanage

The 1979 graduating class of Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School, Ikeja, from all the chapters around the globe reunited in Lagos, recently and offered scholarships, computers, a sewing laboratory, career talk, mentorship and counseling, among others, to their alma mater in appreciation for positive values it instilled in them, which has brought them this far and to also celebration 45 years after leaving the institution and 50 years of enrolling at the school.

The celebration, which began in USA, moved to UK and finally came home to Lagos, first at the institution, where a personality development expert, Mr Adeniyi Ronti, spoke to the children on leadership, with a topic: ‘Leadership and Personal Development, Defining Success on Your Own Terms.’

In his presentation, Ronti looked at leadership, personal development, success and values. He spent more time on success because according to him, many young people just think to be successful is to have money, possession and wealth.

He encouraged the children to prepare themselves to be self employed and not allow peer pressure to lead them into destruction as many have fallen victim.

President of the Association, Olutayo Ayodeji Phillips, speaking on the event, generally, pledged that “we will continue to contribute the little we can to help the school produce the future leaders of this country.”

The group held a gala nite where members and invited guests had fun activities over dinner.

Chairman of the 45th anniversary celebration, Olayemi Onigbode, at the dinner, reminded members that in addition to reminiscing about the past, “tonight is about rekindling old friendships and perhaps forming new ones. It is about bridging the gap between generations of alumni and weaving new threads into the fabric of our shared history.”

The four-day event, which also featured a picnic, culminated at Bales Orphanage where food items and cash were presented to the home.

In appreciation to the provision, owner of the Bales of Mercy, Mrs Ngozi Igbokwe, said, “we love it when people visit us. It tells us that people still care about us.”