The Ibadan Grammar School Old Students’ Association of North America (IGSOSANA) has called on government at all levels to demonstrate greater commitment to tackling security challenges in the country.
The association urged the government to strengthen measures to protect lives and property, particularly in schools nationwide.
The President of the association, Mrs Olawumi Olafunmiloye, made the call during the 113th Founders’ Day celebration of the school on Monday in Ibadan.
Olafunmiloye said both public and private schools in rural and remote areas should enjoy the same level of security and infrastructure development as those in urban centres.
According to her, there is an urgent need for synergy between government and key stakeholders in the education sector to enhance security across schools.
She also stressed the need to address infrastructure decay to create a conducive learning environment for students.
“Our alma mater remains of great importance to us, and there is a need to collaborate with government in the areas of security and effective school management.
“We urge government to prioritise security and education, and ensure a safe learning environment for students,” she said.
On the association’s achievements, Olafunmiloye said it had spent more than N6 million on renovating and upgrading the school’s laboratory and technical drawing studio.
She added that some students would also benefit from the provision of school uniforms and sandals.
The president further said the association currently had three teachers on its payroll and was supporting the school in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and other programmes to complement government efforts.
Olafunmiloye, a member of Ikeja Platinum Lion Club, noted that funds had also been earmarked for the completion of the school’s perimeter fencing to curb theft and improve security.
“We have over 40 students on scholarship in universities, with two already graduated under the scheme.
“We are also inducting some of our scholarship beneficiaries into the Leo Club, a youth arm of the Lions Club, to prepare them for leadership and community service,” she added.
Also speaking, the association’s Welfare Director and School Ambassador, Mrs Adeyanju Lawal-Nurudeen, urged government to increase budgetary allocation to the school.
Lawal-Nurudeen also called on other chapters of the association to give back to their alma mater to bridge infrastructure gaps and improve students’ welfare.
In her remarks, the special guest of honour, Dr Latonja Eppinger, urged the government to invest more in the education sector to raise standards to global levels.
Eppinger, the Queen Mother of Umuokanne town in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo, also appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to support government efforts in securing a better future for children.
She reaffirmed her support for the association’s projects at the school.
Earlier, the President of Ikeja Platinum Lions Club, Mrs Olubimpe Gbaiye, said the inauguration of a Leo Club in the school would help mentor and empower students, while fostering a culture of community service.
Gbaiye reaffirmed the club’s commitment to supporting programmes that benefit students of the school.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured student empowerment activities, project exhibitions, the induction of the Ikeja Platinum Leo Club, and a tree-planting exercise.
The event was held in collaboration with the Ikeja Platinum Lions Club.
Credit: NAN
