Gbongan High School: Alumni Awards Scholarship to 15 Indigent Students

Gbongan High School: Alumni Awards Scholarship to 15 Indigent Students

Not less than 15 brilliant indigent students of Gbongan High School, Gbongan, Osun State were awarded scholarship by the Old Students’Association of the school.

First of its kind in the history of the institution, the scholarship covers students both in junior and senior classes. It includes their school levies, school uniforms, school lunch, textbooks, exercise books and other educational materials that they will use throughout their secondary education.

The old students association also renovated three classrooms in the administrative block, changed the roof a block of 3-classrooms, school hall and 2 offices upon approval from the planning department of State Basic Education Board.

It further purchased and fixed water pumping machine, constructed water system toilet for the administrative block. Also, the association employed not less than 10 teachers to augment shortage of teaching staff and assist in various subjects.

Representing the association, Femi Ade Olojede informed that the scholarship was made possible by one of the alumni, in person of Mrs. Bolaji-Thomas (Nee Durosaro) of 92 set. She had contacted her Italian friend couple Galin and Denise Gruttaro who showed interest in sponsoring five students of the school. However, it was discovered that their donation could cater for more pupils and the number of students was increased to 14.

Another old student, Mrs. Iyabo Phelps (Nee Olayinka of 1986 set) also shared intention to sponsor a pupil for the same benefits like the first 14.

Olojede noted that the scholarship and other gesture for the school were planned when the school was reclassified and merged with another junior school during the administration of the immediate past government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

He stressed that the concerted efforts swiftly made by the old students’ association, traditional ruler of Gbongan, Oba Adetoyese Oyeniyi, the Olufi of Gbongan, Pioneer Principal, Pa Joseph Ojeleye amongst other stakeholders assisted in reclaiming the school under the current administration of Adegboyega Oyetola.

Olojede used the medium to remind the representatives of the State Commissioner for Education in the state of his pledge to build a block of six classrooms in the school should the old students association fulfil its promises to renovate the school.

Representative of the Osun State Commissioner for Education who also doubles as the Tutor General for Osun West Senatorial District, E A Onatola tendered state government’s appreciation to the old students’ association for assisting in renovating some of the school’s buildings. He said their gesture was highly commendable.

On her part, the principal of the school, Mrs. O I Farotimi commended the pioneer principal of the school, Pa Dr. J. O. Ojeleye for laying a good foundation for the schools. She said that through his singular efforts and hardworking staff, the school had produced professors, doctors, justices and many highly placed people in the society.

Mrs Farotimi expressed gratitude to the donors of the scholarship award, noted that the beneficiaries had written a letter to thank the donors.

She said many more pupils are in need of the scholarship.

In her words, “There are more of the students to be helped because a lot of them are “social orphans”. A lot of them are from broken/separated homes, they are the ones bearing the brunt. Some of them have to do some menial works before they can come to school, we have some that will work and the parents will collect their proceeds from them leaving them to suffer in vain.

The traditional ruler of Gbongan, Oba Adetoyese Oyeniyi who was represented by Oosa of Gbongan, High Chief Adisa Olabimiji applauded the old students association for the scholarship award describing it as unparalleled.

The awardees are Ogundipe Opeyemi SS1, Oyediran Timileleyin SS1, Abioye Roseline SS1, Olaposi Isaiah SS1, Amos Tunmise JS3, Olaniyi Bukola JS3, Adedeji Idowu JS3, Yisa Sasili JS3 and Olatunbosun Emmanuel JS3.

Others are Olawale Aanu JS3, Aliu Yusuf JS3, Odebiyi Victoria JS2, Olaoye Bose JS2, Ojewale Aanu JS2 and Isakunle Marvelous JS1.