By Opeyemi Olawore
The 1996 set of old Students of Oba Akinbiyi High School 1(OAHS 1), Mokola, Ibadan have blamed successive governments in Oyo State for the infrastructural decay in public primary and secondary schools.
In his keynote address, Prince Adedayo Babalola who spoke on behalf of the 1996 set of old students of Oba Akinbiyi High School 1, during the reunion appreciated the Government of Oyo State for recruiting best, qualified and seasoned teachers into the public primary, secondary schools and tertiary institutions across the State. In his words,
“I am aware that over 5,000 teachers were recruited last year into public secondary schools. However, this is still not enough to revamp the deteriorating state of education and infrastructure in our public schools. Many of our public schools need aggressive renovation and face lifting. It appears the government who is the proprietor of public institutions is chewing more that she can bite, with poor funding and infrastructural decay confronting schools and Oba Akinbiyi High School 1 in particular. Should we now say we were lucky in our days?
“It is on this note that I want to call on the government at all levels to rise up to its responsibilities by prioritizing the funding of education in its yearly budget and urgent renovation of school buildings, especially in Oba Akinbiyi High School 1, Mokola, Ibadan. Teachers must not give up because it is a ministry committed into their hands by God. Teachers should be encouraged with good remuneration. Students must jettison the get-rich quick syndrome and embrace hard work and integrity as virtues.
“Alumni as one of the critical stakeholders must not fold their hands, while the ancient landmarks are removed. We must rise like Nehemiah, not like Samballat and Tobiah in Nehemiah 2:18-19, to build the waste places of our dear Alma mater. Alumni must be willing to contribute their time, talents and treasure for the advancement of our dear Alma mater. Oba Akinbiyi High School 1 must rise again and maintain this standard. Parents should not go to sleep or contribute to the problems of these innocent students. Encouragement and discipline must start from home. Home is our first school!“All hands must be on deck towards salvaging the falling standard of our educational system. We cannot do all, but we can do the little we can.
“Drops of water make a mighty ocean.”“In addition, we must all return to God as our basis as stated in II Chronicles 7:14 that: “If my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Prince Babalola congratulated OAHS1 ’96 Set Alumni for hosting the Reunion programme after 26years of departure from school. He also congratulated the awardees (former teachers) on their well-deserved awards.
He posited that the reward of teachers is not only in heaven, while maintaining that dedicated teachers would be rewarded on earth.
Some of the teachers who were awarded include; former Principal, Deaconess M, B. Olajide, Dr. Ukamaka Evelyn Akuche, former Physics Teacher, Pastor Samuel Ola Atilola, Mathematics and Mrs. Alice Arowodasa.In their goodwill messages, the award recipients and Prof, Temitayo Ewemoje, an Alumnus of Oba Akinbiyi High School 1 and member, school Governing Board recalled several efforts made by Oba Akinbiyi Alumni ranging from payment of salaries of PTA teachers, sinking of boreholes, renovation of buildings, among others.
They called on the alumni not to give up but be willing to do more for their Alma mater, while congratulating the 1996 set for the team spiritedness which led to the hosting of the reunion after 26years of departure from the secondary school.The Senior Boy, Mr. Bernard Coker and the Senior Girl, Opeyemi Olawore who spoke on behalf of other Alumni expressed joy and gratitude to God for the opportunity to come together for the first time after several years.
The duo announced readiness of the 1996 set of Old students to sponsor the payment of 2022/2023 WAEC fees of three academically sound and morally serious students.
They further revealed that the set will offer scholarship to overall best student to commence college education in the United Kingdom provided all conditions are met and permissions sought from parents, while promising to contribute their quota towards the advancement of their Alma mater.
They thanked their former teachers for laying solid foundations for their educational advancement.
They prayed for God’s continued protection, good health and blessings for retired and serving teachers.
The reunion featured worship session by a gospel artist, Ambassador Elizabeth Adegbite, an alumnus of OAHS 1 and musical performance by another alumnus who is a Fuji musician, Mr. Akinyemi Akintunde popularly known as Akikanju Omonla. Earlier, a team of Alumni led by Mr. Akinwale Akindiji had visited Oba Akinbiyi high school 1 in order to encourage students and for needs assessment.
The reunion programme was fun filled and full of excitements as alumnus from home and abroad converged to bring back old memories and chart a way forward for Oba Akinbiyi High School 1. Mokola Ibadan.
