Image caption: The beneficiaries
Alade Global refuses to die as group pays WAEC fees of 7 students in his name
Yinka ADETUNJI & Adebayo ADELEKE
The chairman of Alade Global Industry Ltd. Prince Joseph Adebanjo Alade Oyediran popularly known as “Alade,” a petrol dealer, who died October 12, 2011, has refused to die as his lovers who style themselves, “Alade Solidarity Forum,” Tuesday, paid, in his name, WAEC fees of seven indigent students in Ogbomoso, Oyo state.
The beneficiaries include Ogunniran Deborah and Adeleke Philip (Ogbomoso Baptist High School), Adelakun Blessing and Alabi Risikat (Methodist Secondary Grammar School), Adigun Rejoice Eniola (Baptist Secondary Grammar School, Ahoyaya) and Babatunde Busayo and Raji Idris (Anglican Grammar School).
Speaking at the presentation ceremony held at Alade Mega Car Wash, Baptist High School area, chairman of the forum, Mr. John Akinjide Akinola, said the forum had been meeting for about 15 years and that they usually have annual get-together but decided this year to assist indigent students towards realizing their academic goal.
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Akinola charged students to pursue education with dedication just as he urged his colleagues to remain steadfast in the drive to touching lives and in continuing to relive the spirit of late Prince Alade Oyediran.
Chairman of Ogbomoso South local government Hon Oyedokun Timothy expressed gratitude to the group saying their gesture is laudable.
Recounting his own experience when he found it difficult to pay school fees and WAEC fees in secondary school and how one of his teachers assisted him, augmented by his mother to pay the fees, Hon Timothy asserted what Alade Solidarity Forum did would have long lasting effect on the benefitting students.
He therefore urged the students to rise to the occasion by notching up success in the exam and making success of their lives in the long run.
The enthused and elated chairman promised to be part of the effort when next the forum makes such outing.
“This is a very laudable event. I remember what happened to me when l was about to write WAEC, they sent me out of school but one teacher gave me some money augmented by my mother to pay my fees.
“Whoever is privileged wouldn’t know what people go through. Me, l know the importance of what you are doing for them today. Do not rest on your oars. The children will remember your gesture in the future. I am honoured and l am happy. I will be part of you next year.
In his exhortation titled, “Desire for God’s presence in 2024,” with text from Exodus 33: 12 – 17, Deacon Philip Gbadero charged the beneficiaries to strive hard for excellence so that they wouldn’t have to look for WAEC fees again next year.
Dn. Gbadero enjoined the audience “to surrender everything to God, and not to take salvation for granted. I want to conclude with this admonition – trust God in 2024, allow His presence in your life.”
Mr. Abiodun Olowe principal of Anglican Grammar School commended the group calling on the beneficiaries to see it as an opportunity, noting, “the society is waiting for the time you will pay back by helping others in the future. One of the greatest achievements is touching lives.”
Parents and students who spoke with newsmen all expressed gratitude maintaining it has helped to lift a burden off them.
Also in a chat chairman of the group, Mr Akinola a.k.a. Loko, assured the scale will be greater next year explaining the benefiting schools were chosen on the basis that they are alma maters of some of their members.
