AKINWALE ABOLUWADE 08023927215.
It was a time of celebration of success for the Seminary-St Anne’s School Old Girls Association as the executive of the association, led by Simisola Onabanjo, rolled out lists of projects that were completed and donated to St. Anne’s School, Molete, Ibadan under her watch.
Among the projects which were inaugurated on Friday were the Anna Hinderer Utility Centre and the Archive and Museum. According to the Old Girls, the projects are parts of their widow’s mite and a way of giving back to their alma mater.
During the 2023 project commissioning and Annual General Meeting of SSASOGA on Friday, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who expressed his joy over the commitment and heart of service demonstrated by the Old Girls, lauded them for their hearts of service and untiring spirit at supporting the School.
Makinde, who was represented on the occasion by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Salihu Abdulwaheed Adelabu, described the initiative of SSASOGA as exemplary during the commissioning of some of the projects in the school.
Noting that the passion of the Old Girls at sustaining the legacy of quality education and spirit of discipleship of young girls was unparalleled, he said, “Some of you are 60, 70, or 80 years old, and you are still passionate about the education of people below 18 years old. I encourage you to keep it up.
“We appreciate you a lot. I am highly elated this afternoon because I have a mother. He who trains a girl builds a nation. The beautiful job you are doing, please keep it up. That is the message from the governor. I can’t thank you less on behalf of the governor of Oyo State for the wonderful works you are doing in this school.
“The Oyo State Government through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology would be absolutely willing and cooperating with you. We are going to cooperate in area of governance. I just asked some questions, what is the population of the students and I was made to understand that it is a little bit below 5,000. What is the teacher-student ratio, and I was made to understand that there are approximately about 100 teachers. Are there subjects where they are lacking specific teachers; they said they would get back to us on this.
“We are going to look at that. In the area of infrastructures, we are going to give all necessary support because the governor is looking forward to cater for infrastructural gap in our schools. The ‘Renewed Hope’ of President (Bola) Tinubu is planning to inject 32per cent of the budget to education.” The commissioner said that the Makinde government in Oyo State would not do less in terms of delivery in the education sector.
The commissioner promised the association that the government would help them resolve the land issue between the school and the church, saying that rather than being a threat, the church should ensure that the land belonging to the school is protected and not encroached upon.
In her address on the occasion, the president of SSASOGA linked the passion of the Old Girls to the efforts of the missionaries that worked tirelessly, at the expense of their lives, to nurture them to becoming who they are today, with quality of service and self worth.
She stressed that the passion in them sprang from the will to give back to the school, the desire to continue to remember the labour of their missionaries, teachers, and heroes, as well as the desire to join the government in ensuring that no girl child is left uneducated.
Onabanjo said, “Government alone cannot fund education. So, we have to help the government to help ourselves and our children. That is the clarion call. That is why we are doing so much.
“If the government supports and encourages us, we will work better. The government and the entire state will be better for it.”
Akinade Alamu, Chairman, Oyo State Teaching Service Commission, expressed joy that SSASOGA is among the few passionate old students’ associations in the state.
He specially lauded the Onabanjo-led executive for dedicating their time and resources towards the development of the school as well as their achievements for the association, saying, “It is the passion we have for this association that brought us here to celebrate with you. Because of the short history I have heard of the people connected with this association, I will continue to be interested in the development of SSASOGA.”
Lasun Babajide, Permanent Secretary of TESCOM, stressed that to properly expose students to quality education, the school management and the Old Girls should effectively engage, adding that when students have a complete education, they would be proud to join the old students association and be committed to develop their alma mater.
In the vote of thanks, Prof. Bisi Sowunmi, an Old Girl, lauded the state government and the members of SSASOGA as well as its executive members, noting that Onabanjo exemplified selflessness and commitment towards the success of the group.
Sowunmi expressed optimism that the state government would live up to its bidding by fulfilling its promises to improve the quality of education in the school through infrastructural provision, increasing the number of teachers and recovery of the encroached land.
She said, “Yoruba people say that it is easy to merely mouth promises; that will not be your own portion in Jesus name. As you have spoken so shall it be in the name of Jesus. All the promises you have made, you are quite conscious, and you were deliberate in committing the governor and yourself. We are taking you by your words.
“You have integrity; you won’t say something and refuse to do it. What you have said was being recorded and it can be played back to you.
“I want to thank the president. The work she has done is amazing. She is a spirit filled and spirit led woman. She doesn’t have to speak in tongues for us to know that the holy spirit is in her and that holy spirit is guiding her. For her to conceive the idea and for holy spirit to enable her, we are thanking God for her. What is more important than your life? – sacrificing it. May you not run dry.”
The projects commissioned by the Governor were the Anna Hinderer Utility Centre and the Archive and Museum Building.
During the SSASOGA 2023 AGM on Saturday, the various committees, coordinators, secretaries, and branch leaders presented their reports, while the external auditor presented the financial statements and analyses.
As she bowed out as the national President of SSASOGA, Onabanjo, urged the Old Girls to continue to offer their talents, time and resources for the development of the school and to also regularly reach out to one another by maintaining their friendships and relationships.
