Old Students of Ayede Grammar School, Ado-Ekiti, 1981 Set, have organized a reunion, 38 long years after leaving the institution.
The maiden edition of the re-union of the association was held at the Fountain Hotels, Ado Ekiti.
In her welcome address, one of the members of the association, who was also the Senior Girl for the 1981 Set of the school, Mrs. Yemisi Esan, expressed her appreciation to God who made it possible for the event to hold.
Mrs. Esan, while acknowledging the presence of old colleagues urged the members of the association to reunite for old time’s sake in order to ensure and maintain a strong and warm relationship that once existed among them.
She appreciated the efforts of the initiators and coordinators of the event for their time and energy to ensure that the reunion was successful.
Mrs. Esan also used the opportunity to pray for the souls of some of the association’s members who had died.
She advised that well meaning members of the association should extend their generous hands to other members who are in need of assistance to ensure more development.
“We have been longing to have this gathering for a very long time. We give the glory to God and appreciate those whose efforts and contributions made the meeting of today come to reality. It is our hope that by the time we will meet this same time next year, most of the people that are not here but wished to be here today but for one reason or the other could not make it will all come -both home and abroad,” Mrs. Yemisi Esan said.
Also speaking at the reunion, the Coordinator of Ayede Grammar School for 1976-1981 Set, Mr. Olusegun Ogundipe, explained that the essence of coming together of the set was to celebrate the goodness of God over their lives.
“We were about 135 who graduated from Ayede Grammar School in 1981. And we observed that some people are no more with us. So, for those of us who are alive, we felt that this is the time for us to come together and celebrate the goodness of God in our lives.
“Secondly, there is little we can do online. That’s why we deemed it necessary for us to come together. We have been online for almost two to three years now but coming together physically to meet each other after 38 years of leaving the school will go a long way to help us to know ourselves more and know our challenges.
All members of the association turn-by-turn came out to personally introduce themselves and tell more about their journeys through life so far.
Majority of them who spoke to journalists expressed their happiness and reiterated that their coming together once again will add value more to their lives.
They promised to give necessary assistance to one another and also to celebrate with one another whenever the occasion demands.
Air Vice Marshall Ojuawo Rufus advised that the set should find means to join the already existing Alumni Association of their Alma Mater, rather than forming another group.
Some of the alumni present at the reunion included Oluwole Abiri, Adeusi Olulayo, Ajewole Tayo, Jide Abiodun, Abiodun Olatunji, Adeyemi Kehinde, Fidelix Falajiki, Amudipe Iyabo Taiwo, Abe Rotimi, Air Vice Marshall Ojuawo Rufus, Ayanyele Comfort Modupe and Olowooye Ogunmoroti.
Others were Elemese Bosede, Ajulo Abiodun, David Falade and Omotoso Fabunmi.
Packaged by Emmanuel Adeniran
