Adeniran Memorial Grammar School Old Students' Association gets new exco

Adeniran Memorial Grammar School Old Students’ Association gets new exco

Adebayo ADELEKE

The Old Students Association of Adeniran Memorial Grammar School (AMGSOSA), Ogbomoso, Oyo state, has elected a new executive committee. The new exco succeeded the Dr. Akinsanya Amao-led exco which completed a two terms of two years each.

The new exco, according to a press statement by the newly elected PRO, Mr. Segun Akinpelu, was announced Saturday by the electoral committee headed by Engr. Adeolu Oyewale, disclosing Mr. Femi Ogunlana, publisher of The Insight Newspaper/ogbomosoinsightonline.com is new president.

Other exco members are Adewuyi Adewumi Adio (national vice president), Oladejo Adewale (vice president diaspora), Babawale Olusegun Ayotunde (general secretary) and Oyesaga Titilayo (assistant general secretary.

Others are Otunla Aderonke Olufemi (treasurer), Adeleke Olajide (financial secretary), Akinpelu Segun (public relation officer), Ayinla Ademola Kamorudeen (auditor) and Akande Rachel Folasade (social secretary).

The immediate past chairman Dr. Amao, in his valedictory address, expressed appreciation for the support and cooperation his exco enjoyed during their tenure.

He admonished members to be “more alive to our responsibilities as a product of this noble school. We must show that we are indeed Nation’s Hope. I have the belief that we can turn things around with God by our side and I pray God will grant us the enablement to accomplish various tasks ahead of us especially now that new set of executives are coming on board.”

He called for new strategies on how to “ensure sustainable growth and development of our alma mata. We must through our efforts revive, redeem and restore the lost glory,” while commending some sets and individuals for their efforts in funding developmental projects in the school and making other commitments.

He listed some of their achievements including completion of perimeter fence at sections of the school (back, completed; front, yet to be completed), resuscitation of borehole, provision of 20 pairs of furniture for staff, repair of damaged roofs, contribution to welfare of staff of the school, financial assistance to the school for accreditation and scholarship schemes to students.

Ogunlana, a member of the 1986 set, in his inaugural speech, expressed gratitude for the belief members had in them, while admitting, “But I see it as a big challenge, a big burden, a big responsibility. Many times I asked myself would I be able to bear this weight!”

He however made a pledge that the new exco would also make impact appealing for support morally and financially. “Having accepted this challenge I urge us all to assist us in making an impact. We are condemned to leave lasting legacies and this cannot be made without your support morally and most importantly monetarily.”

He charged members to always be ready to part with their resources for the desired upliftment of their alma mater noting the school would ever remain part of their stories individually and collectively.

“There is no reason for us to have an association as this without us ever ready to make financial commitment relative to our capacity. One salient fact remains that this citadel of learning is part of what made us what we are today and so, we must be willing and cheerful to make her greater so more great students could yearly walk out with pride out of her gate and become the nation’s hope they are intended to be. So, we beckon on you beseechingly to rise to the challenge. Some have been doing it passionately, at this moment I make this clarion call to all of us to do more especially those who have not been giving back. It is what we do that the world will record as history.”

Ogunlana who is also an educator being principal of Emmanuel Agboola Baptist Grammar School, Ogbomoso, urged members to take the founder of the school Col Adegboyega Adeniran as their role model and emulate what he called the civil war hero’s selfless service that has turned out to immortalize him. “If Col. Adegboyega Adeniran (rtd) had not made sacrifices in committing his resources to build this school he won’t have this legacy today. We are all not unawares of how he is yearly celebrated during his birthday, for his foresight and selflessness in founding this school, so, let’s take a cue from him, let us spend part of what God has given us to affect our generation and future ones thereby creating enduring legacies. Imagine if our father Col. Adeniran had not made that sacrifice then would his life have been better financially today? The money would still have gone into some expenses he wouldn’t even remember today but he chose to make that sacrifice and his name is immortalized forever. This Baba also built a whole block of classrooms with underground rooms at his own alma mater – Ogbomoso Grammar School, and another at Ogbomoso High School, his name is boldly embossed in the marble plaques there. Let’s be challenged and encouraged by such selfless services.”

He continued, “I appeal to us, let’s be stirred to contributing meaningfully to the growth of our alma mater. Let’s rebuild this citadel, let us help the present students, let us restore its pristine glory (it was at inception the best school in Ogbomoso and in 1988, was recognized as one of the three schools that posted best WAEC results throughout old Oyo state). We can help bring back such distinctive edge. Let our commitment be fired.”

He heaped encomiums on individuals and sets that have contributed to the growth and development of the school specifically mentioning the 1987 set saying the alumni look forward to its plan to erect the school gate, as he fired, “Let’s all be enthusiastic to make impact.”

This is as he assured on accountability and judicious disbursement of funds put in their care. “But one thing is germane, accountability on our part, I assure you, whatever you make available will be prudently and judiciously spent for the purpose meant, there won’t be mismanagement, those of us you have put forward have our names to protect. So, be rest assured your hard earned money donated to the association will not be diverted or misappropriated,” he pledged.

He concluded, “As we rise from this AGM, let’s make renewed commitment to rebuilding our alma mater.”

Engr. Oyewale administered the oath of office, commissioning the new exco to begin their work.

AMGS was founded by Col. Adegboyega Adeniran (rtd) on October 16, 1978 as the first private secondary school in Ogbomosoland, with a flourishing boarding facility. It was however later taken over by the Oyo state government and has remained a government school since then.

It has been administered by great names in education like Mr. Bamikefa (pioneer principal), Chief Samuel Adelakun Adetutu, Mr. Ishola, Prince Olalere Ajiboye among others. The incumbent principal is Dr. Olusegun Adeniran.