AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
The newly inaugurated national executive of the Seminary Saint Anne’s School Old Girls Association (SSASOGA) has unveiled plans to revive the boarding house system of St. Anne’s School, Molete, Ibadan, as part of efforts to restore the school’s legacy of academic excellence and character formation.
The National President of SSASOGA, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Kehinde, made this known on Saturday, January 31, 2026, while delivering her address at the swearing-in ceremony of the new national executive members and house captains of the association.
Mrs Kehinde said the new leadership would prioritise the rehabilitation and reactivation of the school’s boarding facilities, noting that the boarding system played a critical role in shaping the discipline, culture and camaraderie for which St. Anne’s School was once renowned.
According to her, a boarding house committee will be constituted after consultations with the Board of Trustees (BOT) of SSASOGA. The committee is expected to reach out to stakeholders within six months and commence concrete work on the boarding facilities.
“Our focus going forward is the boarding house. A boarding house committee will be set up after discussions with the BOT. Their assignment is to ensure that within six months, we begin tangible work on the boarding house,” Kehinde said.
She explained that the association intends to fully furnish the boarding facilities with reading chairs and tables, while also equipping the school with at least six functional reading rooms to enhance academic activities.
She added that the executive would encourage different sets of old girls to collaborate in providing sporting facilities such as a lawn tennis court, badminton court and volleyball court to boost sports development in the school.
Addressing members at the ceremony, Mrs Kehinde expressed gratitude for her re-election, describing it as a privilege to serve the association for a second term. She recalled her journey from serving as First Vice President between 2020 and 2023 to becoming National President in 2024, noting that the experience had been both humbling and fulfilling.
She stated that SSASOGA, a registered organisation with the Corporate Affairs Commission, has continued to grow in strength and relevance, supported by the commitment of old girls across Nigeria and in the diaspora. According to her, the association has deliberately repositioned St. Anne’s School as the central beneficiary of its interventions.
Mrs Kehinde highlighted several achievements of the current administration since its first inauguration on January 27, 2024.
One of the earliest initiatives, she said, was the introduction of coaching classes for senior students preparing for final examinations, a programme that later evolved into structured early-morning coaching sessions with the support of the teaching staff.
Another major milestone was the relocation of residents from the school hostels, a process she described as challenging but successful. She disclosed that two hostel buildings have since been fully renovated, with a third scheduled for renovation. The renovated buildings now serve as staff rooms, vice-principals’ offices, craft rooms and reading rooms.
She also noted that SSASOGA had strengthened its institutional presence, building on the foundation laid by its pioneering national president, Mrs. Similola Onabanjo. According to her, the association is now well recognised by the Oyo State Ministry of Education and the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), with staff and students of St. Anne’s School seeing SSASOGA as a dependable partner.
Mrs Kehinde said the association has applied for government approval to participate in the screening of new intakes into Junior Secondary School 1, an intervention she believes would further improve quality assurance in the school.
She listed legacy projects executed during the last tenure to include the installation of solar lights within the school, reconstruction of the school gate, donation of laboratory equipment by SSASOGA UK, renovation of St. Catherine and St. Clare houses, construction of the Fayemi Vocational Centre, and capacity development programmes for teachers.
Calling for greater commitment from members, Mrs Kehinde urged old girls who are yet to participate actively to join the association’s efforts, stressing that government alone cannot restore the school to its former glory.
“The present students must be given the opportunity we had in terms of education, character formation, discipline and culture through the boarding house system. This legacy must be handed over intact,” she said.
She also appealed to younger members of SSASOGA to take ownership of the association’s future, describing them as critical to sustaining the vision.
In her conclusion, Mrs Kehinde appreciated the contributions of old girls at home and abroad, expressing confidence that collective effort, renewed commitment and faith would ensure that St. Anne’s School, Molete, remains a beacon of quality education for generations to come.
Earlier, in a sermon titled “Platforms Are Meant for Positive Impact,” Bishop John Oladele made reference to the contributions made by Prof. Bolanle Awe under the government of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, former Premier of the Western Region.
“I do not know why today’s government would not consult Prof. Bolanle Awe if they want to do something serious in the education sector. This is my personal opinion,” he said.
“I celebrate everyone present here, including the executive—both incoming and outgoing. Whether we spend our time for God or not, time waits for no one. As intelligent people, it makes sense to use our time for God.
“Most impactful things in creation exist for others. Mummies in the house, a meaningful life is a life lived for others. Many people think life is all about money; some even make it appear as though money is everything. Money is good, but money is not everything. You will not be poor, in Jesus’ name.
“Jesus Christ spoke about salt and light. We appreciate the importance of light, especially at night. Also, when all ingredients are put together, what makes their taste appreciated is salt.
“Life places us on platforms, and unless we understand God’s purpose for placing us on those platforms, abuse and misuse of such privileges become inevitable. Whatever platform we find ourselves on is a grace and a privilege. You may say, ‘I worked hard for it,’ but that is not entirely true. I know people who have worked harder than I have and are still looking up to me. Everything is by the grace of God; it is an undeniable reality.
“When life places us on platforms, it is for us to impact others. I am speaking to these executive members: the Lord will cause you to make impact. Leverage on past successes to ensure the organisation is taken to the next level.
Significant impact is possible when we understand that it is not about us, but about the organisation and the people. Life is not important except for the impact it makes on others. As someone once said, what you do has three times more impact than what you say or hear.”
He also made reference to the late Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo, who once said, “I am introducing the policy of free education so that the son of my driver will not be a driver to my son, and so that the son of my cook will not be a cook to my son.”
He noted that Awolowo understood the purpose of the platform, as well as the symbolism of salt and light. Although Awolowo died in 1987, he said his legacy continues to endure.
The newly sworn-in national executive of SASSOGA are Mrs Olufunmilayo Kehinde as National President, Mrs Olubukola Odumeru, SASSOGA National Vice President 1; Prof. Kunbi Olasope, SASSOGA National Vice President 2; Mrs Taiwo Adedeji Abidakun, diaspora SASSOGA Secretary; Mrs Adenike Doherty, National Social Secretary; Mrs Caroline Oke, National Treasurer; Mrs Gbemisola Adepoju, National Secretary General; Mrs Olubunmi Balogun, Assistant National Secretary General; and Mrs Adesola Ajani, National Youth Coordinator.
Others are Mrs Olufunmilayo Akinlotan, National Welfare Secretary; Mrs Adebimpe Mary Fatoki, National Financial Secretary; Mrs Odejoke-Maxwell Ibidun; Hon. Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile, National Legal Adviser; Mrs Tolulope Fagbayila, National Publicity Secretary; and Mrs Abiola Otaniyi, National Auditor.
The six House Captains are Mrs Adetokunbo Ogunlesi (new Onanuga) Captain of Captains; Mrs Kehinde Adegbule-Larts, St. Margaret; Mrs Olufunmilayo Akinlotan, St. Hilda; Mrs Ayobami Adebayo, St. Faith; Mrs Oyewole Oluwabukunmi (nee Onatade), St. Mary; and Mrs Nike Ogundiran, St. Clare.
