A retired Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State government, Mrs Rhoda Ayinde has been elected National President of Eva Adelaja Girls Secondary Grammar School Old Students Association.
In the recent election, other officers elected to the association’s National Executive Council included Vice President, Mrs Abiodun Adams; General Secretary, Mrs Nkiru Ojuolape; Assistant General Secretary, Mrs Ibukun Oreoluwa; Treasurer, Mrs Olufunmilayo Ogunlana; Financial Secretary, Mrs Bimpe Ogunleye; and Assistant Financial Secretary, Mrs Shade Femi-Shofu.
Also elected national officers were Social Secretary, Mrs Abiola Williams; Assistant Social Secretary, Mrs Iyabo Sanya; Publicity Secretary, Medline Tador Assistant Publicity Secretary, Prof (Mrs) Aderonke Samuel; Whip, Mrs Adeola Afolabi, Welfare Secretary 1, Mrs Omolara Koya; and Welfare Secretary 2, Mrs Ayo Akintade.
In her acceptance speech, the new President pledged to promote the growth and progress of the alma mater and contribute to the enduring excellent existence of the coming generations.
She committed to promoting true friendship, comradeship, and assistance among the old girls, as well as bonding among all sets, including those in the Diaspora.
Ayinde also said her administration would partner with the school in the provision of relevant needs towards the progress and development of the younger generations.
She paid tributes to all old girls who have contributed immensely towards the development of the association and further pledged to run an all-inclusive administration.
In her handing-over statement, the immediate past President, Dr Denrele Somorin commended all those who individually and collectively worked with her to achieve significant strides for the association.
She also appreciated the efforts of the Board of Trustees and the electoral committee through the electioneering process and wished the new team the very best.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Madame Toro Adeyelure commended both the new and outgoing executives and urged the new administration to imbibe team spirit.
One of the major assignments of the new national officers was a courtesy visit to the alma mater. Led by the National President, they were received by the Principals of the Junior and Senior schools.
Ayinde appreciated both Principals for their exemplary service in maintaining the good standard of the schools. “The scenery of the schools shows that both the teaching and non-teaching staff are doing a lot. We pray that God will be with you and help you to take the schools to great heights”, the president said.
She said that the team came to identify areas of concern and develop partnership for the upliftment of both two schools to impact positively on the students.
“We are here to build on the legacy of past executives, nurturing the students, character development, moulding them to become women of substance and emerge as better generation,” she said, adding “together, we can make our nation a better place”.
Ayinde further said that “we want to be part of the orientation programme for new intakes of Junior Secondary School by sharing our experiences to motivate them. We will also like to participate in the valedictory service for Senior Secondary Schools with a view to induct the three graduands into our association. We want to catch them young”.
Responding, the Principal of the Senior Secondary School, Mrs Olayinka Soyoye emphasising the impressive presence and impact of the association in virtually all areas of the school.
She appealed to the association not to rest on her oars in assisting the school in renovating SSS1 block, and hostel for SSS students who are all now in full boarding. The school, she added is also in dire need of a school bus.
The Principal of the Junior Secondary School, Mrs Olanrewaju Buhari called the attention of national officers to the urgent need to build a befitting school hall in addition to the provision of two solar street lights.
She presented to the National President, the award given to the association given the Lagos State Government Education District 2 last May, in recognition of its valuable contributions to the district.
