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Alumni boost ICT prog at Ogbomoso Gram Schl with 49 computers, renovate principal’s office
Femi OGUNLANA & Bayo ADELEKE
Old students of Ogbomoso Grammar School have taken further step to make their alma mater Information & Communication Technology (ICT) compliant as 49 computers were donated to the school Thursday.
Earlier, the 1977-1981 set donated 50 computer furniture.
With the 49 computer sets the goal is almost achieved as the national president of the association, Mr. Olatunde Alagbe, informed, during the commissioning ceremony of the ICT laboratory Thursday, that the target is 100 computer systems.
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Also, the 1963-1967 set executed the renovation and upgrading of the principal’s office covering painting, replacement of asbestos, fixing of floor tiles, provision of air conditioner, swivel chair and refrigerator as well as netting of the window and fixing of new window blinds.
Mr. Alagbe speaking at the ceremony said the current global trend is digitalization and that the alumni was desirous to assist students not only to be computer literate but be ICT compliant.
He observed different examination bodies are introducing computer based tests (CBT) as mode of assessment and “so the old students are willing to assist the school thereby complementing government efforts.”
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According to him, corroborated by the principal, Dr Mrs. Tolani Adewumi, the 49 computer sets came from donations by individuals, different sets and branches of OGSOSA (Ogbomoso Grammar School Old Students Association).
Some of the donors are Mr. Morakinyo Alaka (3 computers) on behalf of the diasporan branch and an ICT hub personally by him, Mr. Remi Olawoyin (10 computers), AIG Sheu Babalola (rtd) (1) and the Lagos branch led by Chief Kato Olayinka Lanipekun (10).
“We thank our people who are determined to improve the standard of education in Ogbomoso Grammar School. We recognize it as giving back to where we came from,” Alagbe said.
“We now have 49 computers and we are going to 100. We encourage others to contribute too.”
He subsequently charged the students to strive for excellence in academic and to imbibe the spirit of giving back to their “foundation and invest in their members in the future.”
The Lagos based consultant also informed the alumni body had other developmental projects it’s working on such as construction of perimeter fence.
He stressed the fence project is particularly important “in order to make the school secure and save its territory from incessant encroachment. Students must learn under quiet, peaceful and conducive environment like we did.”
In his remark, Pa Ayo Ajamu, a retired permanent secretary at the Oyo state Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), who represented the 1963-1967 set which renovated the principal’s office, at the event, expressed happiness that the set which he said was floated about a year ago, was able to achieve its immediate goal of giving the principal’s office a facelift.
Pa Ajamu stated, “We must help the coming generation to achieve their purpose in life.”
In the same vein, Chief Kato Lanipekun, the Lagos state branch chairman of OGSOSA, enthused over the success recorded so far concerning the ICT laboratory, saying, “history is being made today.”
Earlier, the principal, Dr Adewumi expressed appreciation to the old students for their various support noting the inauguration of the ICT laboratory is significant and “epoch making.”
The Oyo state commissioner for education, science and technology, Professor Waheed Adelabu (represented by Mrs. Adeyi) and TESCOM tutor-general Ogbomoso zone, Mr. Olatunde Suulola (represented by a director Dr Olajide Taiwo Oladele), all commended the initiative pointing out it was in line with the appeal by the state government for stakeholders to assist in providing infrastructure in schools while also describing it as a challenge to both the students and teachers of the school to be computer literate.
