The National President of St. Patrick’s Grammar School, Ibadan Alumni Association, Chief Ayo Aluko-Olokun has called on the government to deepen relationships with alumni associations for the maintenance and upgrading of facilities in schools.
During the 64th Founders’ Day of the school last week, he said: ‘We want the government to include different alumni associations in the management of the schools. Currently, several schools rely on former students for infrastructure and maintenance, and even to pay salaries of security guards’.
Aluko-Olokun commended the school’s alumni sets and branches for their renewed commitment to improving the facilities in the academic institution.
Six projects completed by various alumni sets and branches were commissioned during the celebration. They are: a new entrance signage from the Lagos branch; two e-library computers from the 1976 set; an ongoing construction of a sporting complex by the 1995 set; two CCTV cameras from the 2003 set; an upgraded physics lab from the 1981 set; chemicals and equipment for labs from the 1988 set; ongoing Home Economics lab repairs from the 1982 set; and renovation of a block of six classrooms by the 1980 set.
The Founders’ Day usually unites alumni, students, and staff in honour of the school’s establishment.
The day featured four significant events, including a lecture on “Alumni Associations in the 21st Century: Relevance, Challenges and Opportunities”, which was delivered by Prof. Labode Popoola of the University of Ibadan.
The day commenced with a Mass at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, officiated by Revd. Fr. Ekene Ugboegwu. Distinguished persons in attendance included the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr. Dayo Mobereola; and the Director-General of the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, Prof. John Obafunwa.
In his admonition, Fr. Ugboegwu emphasised that the spirit of Saint Patrick (the patron of the school), is hinged on morality, spirituality, service and forgiveness. He urged the old students to put the pains of the past behind them and work together for the sake of the school, and serve as good examples to the current students.
The Head Tutor/Permanent Secretary of the Teaching Service Commission (Zone 2), Mrs. Omolara Faniyi, praised the alumni association for helping to maintain the school alongside the government. She reminisced about the school’s poor condition about 10 years earlier when she would visit to mark West African School Certificate examamination scripts, and she emphasised how much progress has been made since then.
In his lecture, Popoola, an alumnus and former Vice Chancellor of Osun State University, noted that alumni associations must work towards creating networks that would contribute to the growth of schools by mobilising resources for infrastructure, scholarship and endowments. They also preserve the heritage, traditions and values of their institutions.
He said that alumni associations are indispensable in educational ecosystems and that they reinforce academic quality, provide socio-economic support, strengthen institutions, and their collective impact extends far beyond the walls of the schools.
The alumni association unveiled the inaugural edition of its SPACO Alumni Compendium, which documents the school’s history, highlighting notable members. It includes an admission register from its establishment in 1962 onward.
Awards were presented to Emeritus Archbishop Felix Alaba Job, who was recognised for his contributions to education and Catholic schools; Mobereola, who was honoured for mentorship and support of the school; and Prof. John Oladapo Obafunwa, who was acknowledged as the first Alumnus Vice Chancellor and for ongoing service to the school.
Barrister Fred Akokhia was acknowledged for his ongoing leadership as both a student and alumnus of the school. a chartered accountant, Mr. John Taiwo Onobote was recognised for his generous support, leadership, and contributions toward the improvement of the school; while Mr. Babatunde Adejumo was honoured for generously sponsoring academic prizes for students at the school, as well as for his dedicated service to the Alumni Association.
The 1981 set was recognised for infrastructure improvements and academic support at the school; the 1980 set was honoured for supporting academic excellence, sponsoring projects, and adopting a building for upgrades and maintenance.
The 1985 set was acknowledged for its generous support and sponsorship of development projects at the school; while the 1983 set was acknowledged for its exceptional contributions to infrastructure, academics, and athletics, which have advanced student progress at the school and the 1995 set was appreciated for dedication to enhancing infrastructure and sports, as well as ongoing academic support provided to students.
In the other category, the Lagos branch was recognised for being the oldest, most active, and highly supportive branch of the school, while the United Kingdom branch was acknowledged for its consistent and generous contributions towards infrastructure and academic excellence, as well as devoted support for Alumni Projects at the school.
