Kunle Adelabu
Chieftains and members of the Class of 1996, Oriwu College Old Students Association of Nigeria (OCOSAN), continued their tradition of giving back to their alma mater by donating 30 iron tables for the school’s dining hall and table tennis.
The items, which were received by Principals of the school on Friday, December 17, 202, were donated in commemoration of the set’s 25th anniversary of their graduation from the premier college in Ikorodu Division of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria.
Gift items were also presented to the families of ten members of the Class set who died after they passed out from the college.
The set had, in previous years, constructed and donated a borehole water system and distributed branded exercise books to the students of their former old school.
Meanwhile, Pastor Soji Sotuyi, Chairman of the OCOSAN 1996 set, speaking, thanked God for making another congregation of the set possible 25 years after he and his mates had passed out from the secondary school.
He said that they were giving back to the school because of the impact the school made on them.
“We want to thank God for the last 25 years that we have left this school and here we are today, gathering again to give back to our alma mater”, he said thankfully.
“We appreciate the efforts of our teachers and Principal back then, and also we are appreciative of the current managers and teachers in the school for keeping the good work going.
“To make our 25th anniversary a memorable one, we came around the school to get the list of what they need and here today, we are donating 30 iron dining tables for the school’s dining halls and table tennis to engage our students in sporting activities”, he said.
“15 dining tables each will go to both senior and junior schools’ dining halls while the table tennis is for the junior school, but senior students can join them in making use of it”.
Sotuyi also remembered their deceased mates of their class set while charging the students to make good use of the donated items.
“While we were preparing for this anniversary, we counted about ten of our former mates that are now late. We plan to meet with their families and support them in our own way”, he said.
“What we are doing by giving back to our former school is to challenge other sets who are not yet doing anything for the school to think of contributing as well. We were also challenged by some sets and today, we are alive to our responsibilities”, he charged.
“I also want to plead with the beneficiaries of these items to make good use of them because it is only when you do that that you will encourage us and other sets to do more”.
Mr Kunle Shopitan, the set’s Secretary General, in his own remarks, said that they were giving back to the school that made them whom they are.
He thanked Principals and teachers for keeping the school tradition of excellence.
Mrs Kudirat Johnson, the Principal, Oriwu Junior Model College, Ikorodu, appreciating the set, said:
“We want to appreciate every set that has been contributing to the development of this school, especially the 1996 set that are donating these items today”, she said.
“We have challenges in the school and whenever we are looking for ways to solve them, they always come to assist us.
“Other schools’ old students’ associations should emulate Oriwu College old students. We really appreciate you”, she said.
In his own remark, Mr Akeem Bello, the Principal of the Oriwu College Senior Model College, said that the school is now a global brand which other schools are trying to copy.
“Oriwu College is known all over the world and the contributions of former students have been of great assistance in this regard. You have made this college the envy of other colleges”, the Principal said.
“Other old students in other schools should learn from OCOSAN on how to give back to their alma mater.
“Sincerely, I am happy to be associated with OCOSAN because this body has been coming to assist us with our needs and are always with us.
“Government alone cannot do everything and with that, we need the intervention of individuals, groups and corporate bodies to support educational development and in this regard, OCOSAN has really done well and the name is now written in gold.
“Despite the harsh economy, you still find it necessary to make other people’s children comfortable”.
Mr Bello announced that the students of the college recorded 100% in the last WAEC to the amazement of former students of the college, including chieftains of the national OCOSAN.
“Let me use this opportunity to announce to you that our students recorded 100% in the last WAEC “, he said.
Master Bada Abdul-Salaam, Head Boy, Oriwu Junior Model College and Master Abdul-Azeez Bakare, Senior Prefect, Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu, on behalf of students, thanked the donors of the items and assured them that they will make good use of them.
The National Vice Chairman, OCOSAN Caretaker Committee, Elder Awoye who represented the National Chairman of the association, commended the 1996 set for the donation.
“It is a great pleasure for the national body of OCOSAN to be here and witness the donation of dining hall tables and table tennis by the 1996 set.
“On behalf of the chairman and entire members of the national body, I thank you for giving back to our great school and we expect more from you”, he said.
Alhaji Sikiru Amure, a chieftain of the national body, said that the school has no reason not to excel with the level of support it has been getting from the old students.
“This set are my students when I was the Vice Principal in this school and I am very proud of what they are doing today. I congratulate them on their anniversary and wish them many more memorable years together”, he said.
“Oriwu College has no excuse not to excel going by what former students have been doing for the school.
“Its former students are now giving back to the school that made them what they are today and we expect that students who are the beneficiaries will make good use of these items”, he charged.
