Kunle Adelabu
As part of their resolve to always give back to their old schools, members of the Oriwu College Old Students’ Association of Nigeria (OCOSAN), Class Set of 1997, have perfected plans to distribute 100 ready – made school uniforms to students of the premier college in Ikorodu Division.
According to the Chairman of the set, Mr Shakioye Olatunji, speaking at the maiden Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the 1997 set of the premier school, held at the Oteju hall of the Ikorodu Town hall, on Sunday, April 11, 2021, 100 uniforms would soon be distributed to students in both Senior and Junior Secondary Schools of the school.
Four students represented both the junior and senior secondary arms of the premier college represented the students at the event.
In the initiative tagged, ‘Dress A Pupil’, 50 students will be presented with the uniforms in each of the schools.
However, the number of the uniforms may increase going by what happened on the day of the launching of the project, as a chieftain of the OCOSAN National body and Grand Patron of the set, Alhaji M.M. Bolarinwa who was the Chief Launcher, handsomely donated towards the project which he rated highly.
He also called on others to support the initiative so that more uniforms can be provided for the students.
Others that donated towards the project were Revd. Canon. Bamidele Osunyomi, an Adviser to the set and also an old student of Oriwu College, Magistrate Azeez Alogba, Magistrate in Lagos and member of Class of 1997, Hon. Gbenga Oshin, a former Member, Lagos State House of Assembly and member of OCOSAN 1984 set, Hon. Gbenga Akinyemi and Engr. Sunday Itameta, a member of the set among others.
Mr Shalioye Olatunji Oluwaseun, Chairman, 1997 Set, Oriwu College Old Students Association of Nigeria (OCOSAN), speaking at the AGM, said that the association has continued to thrive by impacting positively on the alma mater and members of the set.
He described his first year at the saddle of the set as successful despite the outbreak of the COVID – 19 pandemic which, according to him, affected the activities of the set.
“I am proud to say that our association has continued to thrive and achieved its set goals of delivering values to our members and giving back to our alma mater”, he said.
“By all accounts, last year has been a very successful year but this would not have been possible without the hard work and perseverance of members and the unrelenting efforts of my executive team, all of whom have contributed their time and skills to improve and sustain our association.
“From the records, this meeting is the first of its kind in the history of the association and it has become necessary to hold an annual general meeting because of the need to give account of what is committed into our hands”.
While stating that his administration will continue to take welfare of members seriously, he added that only members that are showing commitment and dedication to the body will be considered for welfare packages.
“My focus as the President of the association since I assumed office is to look into the welfare of members, and also to give back to our alma mater from time to time.
“As we all know that it’s only a thief that reaps where he does not sow, our welfare packages will only be offered to members who have committed themselves to the association in the payment of annual dues and subscription”.
Mr Shalioye also announced preparations for the marking of the 25th year anniversary of graduation of members of the set from Oriwu College.
“This year 2021 marks the 25th year that we all graduated from our dear Oriwu College Ikorodu, therefore, a committee will be set up at this annual general meeting to plan a laudable silver jubilee anniversary celebration. I urge all members to give support to the proposed committee”, he said.
Alhaji M.M. Bolarinwa, a chieftain of the National body of OCOSAN, commended members of the set for their organization and for deeming it necessary to give back to their old school.
He also charged other sets and students to learn from the gesture of the 1997 set and contribute to the growth and development of Oriwu College.
“I am highly impressed by your organisation, system and civility. It is greatly commendable to remember your alma mater and give back to it”, he said.
“Many students have forgotten where they came from and it is by the grace of God that people in your set still remember the school.
“Wherever and whatever you are today are imbibed in you by where you are coming from and you should not forget that”, he charged.
“It is the seed that we sowed in Oriwu College that is germinating today in your set and thank God that you saw the need to give back”.
Alhaji Bolarinwa also charged members of the set to ensure that their former teachers are always remembered for honour whenever they gather or are planning important events.
“I thank you for remembering to impact on students of your former school despite the economic challenges and the effects of COVID 19″.
The Chieftain of the national body of OCOSAN, who went back on memory lane, said that the present school uniform being used by the of Oriwu College, was introduced by former Principal of the school, Mr A.A. Badmus, as part of the reorganisation of the premier college in Ikorodu Division and as part of the mandate given to him by the then Commissioner for Education, Otunba Adeniran Ogunsanya, SAN.
“I am sure that the students will forever remember this gesture”, he said.
Revd. Canon Bamidele Osunyomi also expressed his joy over the initiative by the class set of 1997 regarding the planned distribution of uniforms to students of the school.
He recalled how he found it difficult to get a uniform to wear to school due to the death of his father, while describing the gesture as laudable.
“I am happy to be associated with your set. You have made me proud.
“You have the grace of God to see the need to buy and present school uniforms to students in your former school because with good uniforms people can easily tell the kind of school that you are from.
“Whatever you can do for anybody, ensure that you do it when it is relevant and timely too”, he charged.
“You can never tell what these students that you are giving uniforms today will turn out to be tomorrow”.
He also commended the set for their accountability and transparency in financial dealings.
“Going through your AGM reports, I saw pure transparency, accountability and probity”, he said.
Hon. Oshin, a member of the 1985 set and former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, described the gesture as a wake-up call.
“This is a wake-up call for me and I have been thinking of what to do as well”.
The former state lawmaker, who narrated how his father twice denied him admission into two other schools and forced him to wait till Oriwu College granted him admission, also said that he will engage his set and others to support the initiative.
Magistrate Azeez Alogba, in his own remarks, commended his colleagues, especially the executive body, for the laudable initiative and pledged his support.
At the AGM, the Secretariat, financial and welfare reports presented by Fatunde Omoshola Olawale, Modupe Adepitan Ayinde and Kemi Shonubi Mustapha respectively were adopted by the members present.
