Hyacinth Chinweuba
As part of efforts and commitment towards building a better society, the old students of Oshodi Secondary School, Tolu Complex, Olodi Apapa, 1992 set were at BarCam Hotel & Suites recently for their 27th anniversary & reunion.
The old students associations have been challenged to see themselves as important stakeholders in the drive to achieve high moral and academic transformation of their alma maters.
They have also been tasked to function as purveyors of infrastructural transformation in these institutions, as leaving such tasks to the government and parent teacher associations produce little or no fruits.
One of the old student, Mrs. Evelyn Usman, an Assistant Crime Editor of Vanguards Media, stated that “our gathering is a reunion of 1992 sets Oshodi Secondary School wayback in Ikorodu Olodi Apapa, otherwise known as Ajegunle area of Lagos”
“So we just consider why we need to meet ourselves after 26 years of being together to see how far we have gone and how we can motivate those of us that have not really reach a limit and Its a way of trying to know ourselves more at the same time” Usman said.
According to Usman, old students must not lost touch with their alma maters, rather, they should consistently re-unite and think about what they could do to develop where they have been moulded and transformed to become who they are.
“Sometimes when the old students come around, they say to us, this is not our school. Our school used to be very beautiful. It was as if we were overseas, but because of transition from government to mission and to government, there tend to be change of things. They must not forget their alma-mater, the source of their success.”
Mrs. Malomo, applauded the 32-year-old friendship amongst its members, which has recorded unprecedented growth in marriage, prosperity, and opportunities to give back to their alma mater through different areas of interventions.
She said; “consequently our reunion, well the gathering this afternoon is a reunion of 1992 secondary school set of Oshodi Secondary School Olodi Apapa also known as Ajegunle”
The essence of our gathering here this afternoon, is to see ourselves, that is number one. Its a reunion party of this particular set to know how far God has blessed some of us and for those who have not achieved or who are not up to the level some of us have not attain certain level.
Its also an avenue to also bring up ourselves for those, you know because of the economy and the situation of things presently in Nigeria, we want to also use this avenue to assist some of our sets, some members of our sets that have not really attain maybe a particular height in the society this is one of the essence of this gathering to know how far and how to also give back to the school that made us what we are today”
Usman continued: “And you know the notion about Oshodi Secondary School, its a complex in that complex we have fourteen secondary schools all just in a particular location and the notion of Lagosians in particular about that place, it is known for notouriority, to the glory of God today, God has blessed some of us, some of us are managing directors in companies and in different stratas in the society”
Its also a means of sending messages to youths in that environment that they should not give up on themselves, the fact that you are from Ajegunle does not mean it is the end of the world, you are the determinant factor of what you would become in life, yes environment has its own input but you are the determinant factor of what you become tomorrow”
As what you can see some of us here are established business women, they carved an niche for themselves and we are also using this opportunity to tell our upcoming youths there that they should not give up on hope and one day they would find themselves here and become a better person”
It depends on what that individial really want, the fact that one was from there, that person is not different from a child that grew up from other communities in Lagos State, but it depends on what you want for yourself, you are to determine your future and again that is why we are also going back to the school”
This forum also, its an avenue to meet on the next step to take like give back to that school that also made us what we are today”
We intend to go there to provide seats and desks for some of the students who don’t have seats to write on, that’s the next project we are trying to embark on and by the grace of God, by the first quarter of next year we hope to do that to encourage them that there is still hope for the future”
“Even if I am in America today I can beat my chest yo proudly declare myself as a student of Oshodi Secondary School Olodi Apapa” she concluded.
“This is a programme that will continue and that is why we have involved some of our friends. We are also hoping to partner with a non government organisation and some friends in this project of giving a helping hand to our school. We will continue to work with the school to intervene in their identified areas of needs”
“Twenty-five years ago, I never knew I was going to come back here to do what I am doing today. The privilege you have today is what we didn’t have then, but here we are professionals, doing well in our respective fields of endeavours. I had a choice to be wayward and become a liability to the society, but I made the right choice and put my studies ahead of anything else.
“What we are doing today was not popular during our time, but we are here to inspire ourselves and tow the good path of life because years to come, you will equally stand here to say that a set inspired us and that is why we are giving back. I wouldn’t know where you will be tomorrow, but if you become the president of Nigeria, remember your school, the teachers and the old students that impacted your lives” he stressed
The teacher of Academy, Mr Akinsanya, gave the charge during the 27th Anniversary Re-union for the 1992 sets, under the auspices of Oshodi Secondary School, Tolu Complex, Olodi Apapa.
“The idea is for us to carry out this initiative as a small group from the main umbrella body so that other sets and even the bigger body can borrow a leaf from us. We intend being a source of motivation for other groups”
The teacher also thanked the set for their continuous assistance saying that their presence has been a source of great inspiration.
“The school has always done well academically within the district, in the state and even in external examinations”
