Former Permanent Secretary, Kwara State Ministry of Works, Alhaji Garba Yusuf Manjo has emphasized the need for sustainable partnerships between public schools and former students cognizant that government can no longer be the sole funder of education in the country.
Alumni associations, he added, have critical roles to play in rescuing public education from deteriorating infrastructure which are a result of poor funding.
Alhaji Garba Yusuf Manjo, who was the keynote speaker at the 45th-reunion dinner held by the class of 1981 of Government High School (GHS), Ilorin, on Saturday, had ‘Significance of Alumni Associations in Education Development’ as his keynote topic.
He noted that members of alumni associations are not passive observers but rather important and strategic stakeholders and key school infrastructure partners while adding that being lifelong ambassadors and custodians of school traditions, old students are uniquely positioned to transform their alma maters.
They also according to him provide valuable professional experience, financial support, mentorship, and positive role-modeling to the current students.
Urging old students to support their schools, Alhaji Garba Manjo told the Government High School, Ilorin class of 1981 that they can support their alma matter through establishment of a permanent Alumni Endowment Fund and an Educational Trust Fund, execution of at least one signature developmental project annually, a structured Scholarship Endowment, regular Career Mentorship Programmes, an Annual Distinguished Lecture, and a comprehensive alumni database.
He also opined that school reunions should move beyond mere social gatherings and instead focus on producing lasting developmental programmes.
While submitting that investing in public education is the only way to secure an enduring legacy for future generations, he also closed his speech with an action-triggering statement;
‘We inherited Government High School, Ilorin, from those before us. We owe it a duty to preserve, strengthen, and bequeath it in a better condition to those who come after us’.
In his welcome speech, president of Government High School, Ilorin class of 1981, Elder Sunday Aduroja expressed joy that members of the class of 1981 had the opportunity to once again, interact physically 45 years after leaving high school.
He described the class of 1981 as unique saying ‘we were involved in taking decisions on the school’s current badge and the motto, members of the class of 1981 constituted 75% of the school football team that won the most prestigious ‘Soladoye Cup’ in 1979 and we also won march-pasts held during children’s day (27th May) and the Independence day (1st October)’
He also said the class of 1981 has been connecting with and supporting the school’s alumni parent body.
‘During the GHS National Headquarters’ 50th Anniversary in 2017, 2 refrigerators were presented on behalf of the class of 1981.
We have ensured regular payment of annual dues which presently stands at #60,000.00 and for the 2026 event of the GHS 59th Anniversary, we donated 10 dozens of the highest quality plastic chairs to GHS’ Elder Aduroja added.
Giving his speech, chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Abubakar Oluwatoyin, who is the Founder of Abdulrazaq Abubakar Toyin (AATU), Ganmo, Kwara State, said it is very important for the old students to support their alma mater cognizant that they act as a strong bridge between the past and the future of their respective schools.
Alhaji Abdulrazaq Abubakar Oluwatoyin also urged members of the class of 1981 to sustain the bonds of love and camaraderie saying ‘old students associations are formed to keep the bonds of love and camaraderie growing among the members to assist and uplift one another which could be by way of political appointments, award of contracts referrals .etc’.
He also noted that reunion events and the contributions made to the development, growth and progress of former alma mater will deeply inspire the current students by making them get considered as tangible role models.
Alhaji Abdulrazaq Abubakar Oluwatoyin, who was represented by the acting Vice-Chancellor of AATU, Professor Olugbenga Olatunde, also donated N1 million in support of the activities and programmes initiated by class of 1981.
Talking to Team@orientactualmags.com, a member of the class of 1981, Mallam Yusuf Oluwakayode Ashiru called the reunion dinner ‘memorable’ while adding that it featured a warm atmosphere.
He noted that the event provided an opportunity to meet and interact physically with some people he had not seen since leaving high school 45 years ago.
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of awards to some distinguished Nigerians and members of the class of 1981 including Alhaji Adebimpe Olaitan, Elder Sunday Aduroja , Professor Mutalib Lambe Adeshina, Alhaja Mulikat Elelu and Barrister Abdulkadir Aliu.
Dignitaries at the event held at Royal Rock Hotel &Event Centre, Gaa Odota, Ilorin include former Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Mohammed Raji, Professor Adeniyi Aremu, Engineer Wahab Magobon, Alhaja Aisha Lawal nee Abdulrazaq , who was represented by Mr Babatunde Gegele, National President of Government High School (GHS) Old Students Association, Engineer Isa Toyin Ishola, Mr Ajani Asa and Dr Olalekan Oginbi, a lecturer at Kwara State University, Malete.
The Master of Ceremony, Alhaji Shehu Oniguguru read out names of the award recipients and when it came to the turn of late Dr Abdulrasheed Oba, majority of the attendees of the event were moved to tears.
The deceased medical doctor, who died on December 31, 2024, was posthumously honoured with an Award of Appreciation.
Elder Sunday Aduroja noted that apart from being instrumental in the class of 1981 WhatsApp group coming into being, he had also been the prime mover and the one who led the charge and brought former schoolmates together while supporting them financially and morally-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you
