Ladies and gentlemen, I congratulate every one of us for crossing over to 1st January 2024. It is not by our power, but the grace of Almighty God, for which we are always grateful.
January Ist marks the beginning of a new calendar year, calls for celebration and provides an opportunity to review the past, and strategize for the future. May Allah protect and guide us and our families all through the new year and beyond.
This month’s address will touch on some of the activities of the current Executive Committee (Exco) since inauguration and provide an insight into EXCO’s aspirations for the current year.
These activities include:
Ø For the first time in the history of the Association, the current Exco organized a Retreat on 5th August 2023 during which deliberations were held on the key mandates and agreements were reached on the Pillars for delivery and goals realisation in a convivial atmosphere.
Ø The annual Prize-Giving and Valedictory Service ceremony was organized on 5th October 2023 with a large turnout of buddies, parents, government functionaries, community, and religious leaders. Over N600,000. 00 (Six hundred thousand Naira) was contributed by the buddies for distribution to deserving students both in cash and in the form of educational materials. The best Teachers and Youth Corper were recognised and awarded cash prizes whilst all the Youth Corps members were collectively given a cash sum of N100,000 for their display of exceptional enthusiasm during the service year and at the event.
Ø A total of 56 buddies subscribed to the Association’s Group Life Assurance Scheme (GLAS) in 2023/2024 Assurance year. Even though this number falls far below our expectations, we appreciate those who registered, and cannot but continue to appeal to our members to please consider this GLAS as the minimum sacrifice they can make to take care of any “EVENTUALITY”
Ø In addressing our health and wellness issues, we will be broadening our Platform’s programs Contents by introducing various health topics to be addressed by Subject Matter Experts to provide first line of information to Buddies. It is also important to advise Buddies to please inquire about the States Health Insurance Schemes which have been introduced by some State Governments like Osun and Lagos. These Schemes may not provide Top End Medicare, but they do provide basic Medicare that could resolve most of the ailments before they develop into bigger issues. For Buddies above 60 and interested, The Ijesaland Geriatric Centre, Ilesa, built by the Ijesa Community, is the best and biggest in West Africa, and is relatively low cost which members can take advantage of. We must not wait till issues deteriorate before alerting others of our situation.
Ø The Association has been of help to some buddies in addressing their personal concerns locally and internationally especially as related to their children’s educational advancements. We will continue to support ourselves in this area.
Ø The Association moved swiftly to salvage a Buddy, who was a one-time Senior Prefect of the school, when his case of ill health was brought to our attention. He was taken to 6 different hospitals in Ogun, Lagos, and Osun States at different times with the Association footing the bill out of the funds raised specifically for him from members. We provided other non-medical interventions. Even though we had to discontinue our efforts on account of lack of cooperation from him and/or his family, we remain very proud of our efforts on him. I owe several buddies who contributed financially, morally, and spiritually to this life-saving project, a huge debt of gratitude. I cannot but mention, the involvement of Sir and Lady Gbenga Babalola-Ojo, Pharmacist ‘Sayo Oluwasetire, Mr. Johnson Ajilore and our indefatigable Secretary General, Mr. Gbadegesin Aasa of “Oro Sunnunkun” fame for their selfless services on this matter. May God reward all those who gave out of their Time, Treasure, and Talent in this endeavour abundantly.
Ø In our quest to make our students more computer literate, the Association is planning to establish a Digital Centre in the school. This will also improve their IT knowledge with a view to preparing them for JAMB and the challenges of admission to tertiary educational institutions. We have been informed, even though unofficially, that WAEC is considering Computer Based Testing (CBT) for their examinations from 2028, hence, we consider our decision to establish the Digital Centre as a proactive step in the right direction. In this regard, I must affirm that I am thrilled with the kind of responses received following of my appeal on the school’s digital project. Truly, we are “KO NI AFARAWE”in both words and deeds. Our giving spirit is highly commendable. As an Executive body, we appreciate these gestures. We shall never take them for granted. I am making a solemn promise that we shall make judicious use of the fund. We have a total of N10,051,225 (Ten million, fifty one thousand, two hundred and twenty five Naira) at the close of the fund raising door at midnight of 31st December 2023. I am pleased to inform all buddies that even though the door is closed, Exco will be opening the WINDOW for more donations at 08.00 am on January 1st, 2024.
Consultations are ongoing to constitute The DIGITAL CENTRE IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE, now that we have the funds required in place. Our observations and suggestions on security and maintenance of the facilities would be passed to the implementation committee when it is in place. I cannot but mention the heavy-weight contribution of the sum of N2,178,000 from our brothers and sisters in North American Chapter. The leadership roles played by our elders Messrs Olalere Olaleye, (Bros Bobby Herrington) and Broda Adegboye Adebayo (Bros Ade2) and coordinating duty played by my brother Dr. Adewale Alonge (Lonjee) is appreciated by me and the EXCO. Many thanks for this sense of patriotism by all who made the required sacrifices to put their names on THE DONORS LIST. Like I always say, Atakunmosa High School, Osu has turned into a global family, and we must take full advantage of it.
Ø Our visit to the school on 24th December 2023 at the instance of our brother, Mr. Bukola Ekunseitan, (Fine Bukky) from the United States of America was meant to assess the situation and plan for the future of our school.
Ø I am pleased to inform you all that as part of our efforts to improve the students’ performance in English Language, we have hired another teacher for the teaching of this important subject. We are also intensifying efforts to ensure that more experienced hands are brought into the system. I want to thank members of the Education Committee, ably led by my brother and 1st Vice President for being there all the time.
Ø As indicated in my last two addresses, there is a scheme on the way to deforest the school compound and make productive use of the land for the purpose of investment, teaching, and beautification. We want to eschew a culture of waste as much as we can; nothing will be allowed to waste or go into dilapidation. May I reiterate that these efforts would probably show that our school has a tradition of resourcefulness, productivity, and entrepreneurship.
As promised in my December address, our various Committees and 2 new ones will be put in place for the smooth running of our activities and plan in a sustainable and result oriented manner for the future. We shall be utilizing the diverse experiences of professionals in our midst for the benefit of the school and the society at large. Many of our older buddies will stand behind the scenes, playing advisory roles.
As usual, on behalf of the Executive body, I wish to rejoice with those individuals and families who marked their birthdays or celebrated marriages of their children in the month of December. The family of my brother and predecessor in office, Major General Lawrence Oluwafemi Jokotola (Rtd), is hereby recognized. May Allah continue to bless our families.
As reported on the platform, Mr. Gbadebo Adeyemi, a member of the1969/73 set passed on to glory on Thursday, December 28, 2023, after a brief illness. A delegation of the set and the Old Students Association paid a condolence visit the family in Ibadan.
On a final note, I implore all of us to please take care of our health and advise those who are close to us to do so. Let us not forget the importance of exercise and rest at the appropriate time.
May the grace of God continue to abide with all of us. Amen!
THANK YOU ALL and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Lateef A. Bakare, FCA January 1, 2024