WELCOME ADDRESS DELIVERED AT THE 2016 REUNION OF AHSO OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION BY COLONEL GABRIEL A. AJAYI (RTD) NATIONAL PRESIDENT ON 17TH DECEMBER, 2016.

March 3, 2025
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1.    I welcome you all to this memorable Reunion in the name of God Almighty and on behalf of the National Executive Council of our great Old Students Association. We do this to the glory of God and our old school of which you are all part.  I am very delighted to see old students from across the country and in diaspora from Europe, America, Middle-East and from the uttermost parts of the world.  I say a big welcome to all of you who have crossed more than seven rivers and even oceans to get here. I wish you memorable stay and wonderful Reunion experience.

2.   The Reunion will afford all of us a unique opportunity to undertake on the spot assessment of the present state of our old school and how far our efforts have yielded positive results. I believe this would then propel us as old students to   make more sacrifices in form of financial, material and intellectual contributions towards restoring the old dignity of our school. Some of the developmental plans and proposals have always been passed across to all old students after each National Executive Committee meeting. While we are here rejoicing, embracing old time friends and colleagues, shaking hands and exchanging banters, we must not fail to remember those we would see no more and who have been called to higher glory.  May their souls rest in perfect peace.

3.    I am using this opportunity to thank members of the Planning Committee of this memorable golden Reunion. Prince Richard Agunlejika sir, Chairman of   the   Planning   Committee, we appreciate you and all other indefatigable members who toiled tirelessly, selflessly and relentlessly day and night to make this Reunion a possibility. I thank the numerous old students who have contributed enormously for the Reunion and for the ongoing Rehabilitation and   Renovation of the school.  Permit me noble brothers and sisters to acknowledge the following old students amongst others who have contributed immensely to the development of the school in recent times. Okebiorun Foundation for award of scholarship to some brilliant but indigent students in the school Engr. Segun Okebiorun, Alhaji Abdul Lateef Bakare, Engr. Eniola Fajuyitan, Mr. and Mrs. Ajelabi, Mummy Bishop Bola Odeleke, Mr. Gideon Odewunmi, Mr. Ezekiel Faniyi, Mr. Olalere Olaleye and Honorable Fredrick Awote.

4.    My appreciation would not be complete if I fail to mention the great men and women of our ABBS Operation Team and the members of the school Renovation, and     Rehabilitation     committee     ably     led     by     Mr. Gbenga Babalola-Ojo.  I also appreciate Mr. Ayodeji Odidi for allowing us the use of his Lejoka Abiola Avenue Guest House as the secretariat of the old students Association. I also sincerely thank all the members of National Executive Council for their sacrifices and promptness in answering the clarion calls for meetings and other executive activities. I will say you have all been very wonderful   and   you   deserve   the   cheers   you    receive.   I   am   also acknowledging the devotion and sense of belonging displayed by some old students domicile around llesha, Ife and Oshogbo who always find time to attend our National Executive Council meetings in participatory Observer capacities.   Let me also put on record my appreciation of Hon (Dr.) Famurewa for citing one of his Federal Government approved constituency projects in our school. We are very grateful.

5.   I have below some proposals to be considered for approval and subsequent implementation during this convention:

  • Establishment of a welfare committee to establish a Fund for the welfare of the indigent siblings of departed old students.
  • The   present   Renovation and   Rehabilitation   committee   headed   by Brother Babalola-Ojo to become Standing Committee on Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and future Infrastructural development of the school.
  • A Think Tank body to work together with ABBS Team capable of formulating   long   term   strategic   innovations   for   the   positive   and progressive growth of the school.
  • Sponsoring and management of Science and Technology and Agricultural Pioneer clubs in the school by the Old Students’ Association.

6.   Brothers and Sisters, while I commend the Education Reforms and new innovations introduced by the State of Osun, I humbly plead with the state Government to take into confidence local stake holders and those likely to be affected into confidence. The government should seek and consider inputs   from    schools Parents-Teachers Associations, Old Students’ Associations, Private   School   Owners, Retired   Educationists   and   Local community leaders.

7.  Once again, I welcome you all and wish you a memorable stay in our old environment consuming our old environmental meals especially Bean Cake and Pounded Yam with ‘Efo worowo’.

God bless our Old school, God bless our Old Students’ Association.

Colonel Gabriel A. Ajayi (Rtd) Acm, FssPsc(t) FIIPS

National President AHSO Old Students’ Association.