The need to provide a conducive environment and essential facilities to facilitate learning in educational institutions has been stressed as key to getting positive outcomes from students at all levels.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, made the call while delivering the keynote address at the first reunion and 38th anniversary of the Alumni of Ansar-Ud-Deen Secondary School, Surulere (AUDSS 87/88 GOLD).
Iba Adams, speaking on the theme, “Back to our root, from seed to legacy – how far we have grown,” called on governments at various levels to replicate what the Unity Party of Nigeria-led government of Chief Lateef Jakande did in Lagos State, by encouraging everyone to get basic education through its free education initiative.
Adams recalled how the state government usually gave all students free textbooks, notebooks, and mathematical sets on resumption every term.
He also recalled how public pipe-borne water taps were available in strategic locations along streets at that time, ensuring that students had water to drink and refresh themselves while trekking long distances from school to their homes.
“If any student had health concerns, he/she would complain to the teachers, and such student would be referred to the health centre. He or she would be given priority treatment free of charge.
“I also remember the time we spent together during the Principal Cup competitions, Inter-Secondary Football Competitions and Inter-House Sports. It used to be beautiful days when schools discovered talents through those competitions,” he said.
Adams noted that those competitions served as good hunting grounds where talents were discovered for the national teams and other national competitions such as the African Nations Cup, Athletics Championships, and the like.
He stressed that the solid foundation and free education sponsored by the government at that time ensured that most of his classmates became medical doctors, respected legal luminaries, seasoned engineers, chartered accountants, and accomplished professionals in various fields of endeavour.
Delivering a health talk at the event, Dr Ibode Olumide advised participants on the need to value their health and go for MRI tests once every year for healthy living and longevity.
He gave tips on how to stay healthy and handle the various diseases that could affect them due to ageing. He listed some of those diseases to include diabetes, hypertension, stroke, kidney failure, and the like.
One of the teachers, Mr Segun Bashorun, a Government teacher at the time, who was present at the event, praised the students for organising such a gathering.
He noted that it would inspire other alumni of the school to do similar things and aspire to greater heights in life.
Another teacher who was also present at the occasion, Mrs Abimbola Puddicombe, who taught Biology, expressed delight at seeing students she taught have become leading lights in various fields of endeavour.
The President of the alumni, Austin Hunpe, encouraged his fellow members not to underestimate the power of small actions, consistent effort, and the cumulative effect of progressive steps in life.
He noted that with determination and the grace of God, there were many possibilities for humans in life.
While remembering some of his old schoolmates who had passed on, Hunpe—who almost broke down emotionally—appealed to his old schoolmates to continue to maintain the platform and keep the unity, saying that it would enable the group to bond together, network, build capacities, and do so much for each other.
Also, the Chairperson of the Anniversary Planning Committee, Mrs Kehinde Arigbabuwo, described the gathering as a homecoming and a time to reflect on shared memories.
Awards of recognition were given to Mr Bashorun and Mrs Puddicombe, just as some alumni members were also recognised for being active.
