Ogbomoso High School celebrates Diamond Jubilee, as Don charges alumni to do more for alma mater

Image caption: Prof S. Ademola Ajayi the guest lecturer

Ogbomoso High School celebrates Diamond Jubilee, as Don charges alumni to do more for alma mater

Femi OGUNLANA

Ogbomoso High School, the third secondary school in Ogbomosoland Saturday (December 13) celebrated its 60th anniversary in a grand way.

The grand finale held on the school playground along old Oyo road was preceded days earlier by visits to two traditional rulers (the Soun of Ogbomosoland His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III and Onpetu of Ijeru Kingdom Oba Sunday Oladapo Oyediran Lagbami Osekun III), free health screening, sporting activity, and thanksgiving at religious houses.

S. Ademola Ajayi, the guest lecturer, a professor of history at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, and Fellow, Nigerian Academy of Church History and Missiology (FNACM), in his lecture titled, “Ogbomoso High School Ogbomoso: Through changing eras (1965 – 2025),” congratulated the alumni, the students and staff, urging the alumni to make greater contributions to their alma mater.

Prof Ajayi observed the school was obviously in physical decay noting the condition of the school did not reflect successes attained by members of the old students whom he said are occupying various positions of eminence globally including producing a state governor (Chief Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala) in the past.

He also lamented the lack of a school hall by such a citadel of learning of historical significance, advising hastening of the building of a new hall and added that if the dream materialises they should consider naming it “Diamond Jubilee Hall.”

“It is significant to reiterate here that quality education is not a commodity which can just be lifted from a shelf and given life. Neither do mere policy statements and statements of intent bring it into being. Governments, non-governmental organisations, religious organisations, communities, parents, individual philanthropists, and especially old students associations must actively partake in its development as stakeholders.

“To the Ogbomoso High School Old Students, let this celebration be the beginning of the impetus of what this institution should be in the next 10 years. In its present form, a tour round the premises of this school will clearly reveal massive infrastructural decay. Many buildings are in very poor state. You need to monitor and maintain many of the heritage structures within the school premises. You should start an “adopt a building/location” approach among the old students of the various sets who have passed through the portals of this historic institution.

“As a rider, the school is in dire need of an ultra-modern multipurpose hall, that befits a school of the age, status and stature of Ogbomoso High School. This should be considered as a priority legacy project to remember this diamond jubilee. Christening this proposed Hall, DIAMOND JUBILEE HALL, will be a good idea worthy of consideration by you all old students.”

Highlighting some uniqueness of the school such as being the first secondary school in Ogbomoso post-independence, first mixed school and first to be founded by government in the town, he issued a clarion call, “Ogbomoso High School must be great again. It has the potentials to be great not only in Oyo State but also in the whole of Nigeria and beyond. Distinguished old students of OHS, do not shy away from your responsibilities. You can do better than what you have done and what what you are doing. Always remember your root; endeavour to remember your source. Please, rekindle your CAN-DO Spirit. Where there is a will, there is always a way.”

In his address chairman of the anniversary planning committee Hon. Olanlokun Olakanmi prayed that the 60th anniversary would “rekindle our collective passion for services and inspire us to strengthen the foundation laid by our predecessors.”

The principal Mrs. Rachael Ajala while exuding joy noted “We look forward to the future with hope and anticipation. We envision a future where our students continue to excel, innovate, and make meaningful contributions to society.”

Also in his address the president of OHSOSA Mr. Z.O. Owolabi commended the old students for their past efforts towards giving back to the school including fencing, classrooms and offices’ renovation, provision of toilets facilities, furniture, scholarship awards to students, assistance to former teachers etc, individually and collectively, while appealing for greater commitment from old students and government.

The event similarly featured cultural entertainment, launching of appeal fund towards construction of a new hall, the old hall having fallen.