Let the strong support the weak, Professor Sonde charges alumni members

The Global President of Egba Obafemi Community Grammar Old Students Association, Professor Funsho Sonde has called on members of the class 83 set to come together with a view to supporting each other.

He said that though fate made some financially weak, but can be very useful in so many other ways.

The Professor made the call at the second Reunion/ Annual General Meeting of class 1978 to 1983 set in Abeokuta recently.

He emphasized the need for the strong to constitute the habit of lifting the weak amongst them as the sole panacea for building a strong and an all-inclusive old students association.  

While commending the class of 83 set for organizing such a befitting reunion, Professor Sonde used the occasion to draw the attention of the set to the myriads of challenges

currently facing the 49 years old school. 

“While we rejoice with each other today, let me remind you all of the challenges we all need to jointly face in our alma mater, the building housing classes four and five that we used then are in a state of dilapidation, the entire school needs fencing to guarantee some level of security and a conducive learning environment.

“Some classrooms in the Junior school section need renovation, the laboratory facilities that used to be the pride of the school during our time is totally gone as bushes and big trees have taken over the place, there is a federal government’s project that has also been long abandoned and even the PTA started a structure that could not be completed,” Professor Sonde said.

Earlier in his welcome address, the chairman of class 83 set, Olusiji Oyesile praised and thanked members for their cooperation and support since the inauguration of the exco two years back. While soliciting for their continued support, Olusiji stated that more social interactions, offering of financial assistance to deserving members, campaigning and winning the enviable position of the global president of the old students association for the set, opening of bank account to ensure transparency in the management of the set’s finances among others were the gains of the set since the inaugural meeting two years ago after leaving the school in 1983.

Olusiji also charged members to be ready to participate fully in the activities lined up for the celebration of the golden jubilee of the school next year. “We are all aware that our school will be marking its 50th founder’s day next year, a lot will be expected of us and I crave your indulgence to support and co-operate with the planning committee not only in the area of rendering financial support but also ingetting contacts, mobilization and of course offering our physical presence at all the programmes” he said.

In his goodwill message, the immediate past Global President of the Association, Alhaji Dada Mutiu expressed his gratitude to members of class 83 for the honour of inviting him as well as presidents and secretaries of other sets to this reunion meeting.

“Today, we offer profound thanks to the Almighty for the divine grace of life and preservation that allow us to witness this joyful gathering, please permit me to appeal to this distinguished set for your continuous constructive criticisms, honest and strategic insights on issues which are germane to the overall progress of the old students association of Egba Obafemi Community Grammar School,” Mutiu concluded.

In his comment, a mentor and one of the teachers that taught the class, Oludare Ogunmodede expressed his delight seeing young boys and girls of those years now fully grown and become worthy characters in the society. Stating his readiness for a continued support and mentorship, Ogunmodede enjoined all to continue to be worthy ambassadors of the school and also provide leadership for the upcoming ones.

The annual reunion meeting and AGM also witnessed the election of Liafis Aina as the auditor while new members were elected to strengthen the Exco. Consequently, the members of the exco that will run the affairs of the set for the next two years include, Olusiji Oyesile; Chairman, Isimot Ogundeyin; Secretary, Olusola Edun; Treasurer, Abiola Adeyinka; PRO, Sakiru Sowemimo; Socials/Welfare, Kikelomo Tanimonure; Chief Whip and SakiruTejuoso as Diaspora representative.