Protocols.
My dear compatriots of Atakunmosa High School, Osu family, I heartily welcome you to the sixth month of the year.
As usual, we have enjoyed God’s grace for being alive and we shall continue to praise and worship him in all ramifications.
My experience since this executive came to office has shown that we have a lot of wonderful people in this family, and I am indeed very proud of them. Our sacrifice, interest and contribution both in cash and kind have proved beyond any iota of doubt, that we are a special breed, and my prayer is that our type will increase in Nigeria. Thank God for the good foundation we all had from this great school.
I am delighted to report that the Association’s efforts to retain one of the former Vice-Principals, Mr. Olumide Odedele, upon his elevation to the post of Principal was successful. It is a demonstration of resilience on the part of the duo of Prince Adedokun Agunlejika, who combines the role of Chairman of Education Committee with his position as our First Vice President, and our ever ready, Go – To – Person, Emeritus Secretary General, Mr. Mustafa Olu Ibironke and the value of relationship that made this possible despite all the odds. We are indeed very grateful to all those concerned without forgetting all the Osun State Government officials, right from the Honourable Commissioner for Education to the Commissioners in the Teaching Service Commission of Osun State. Mr. Olumide Odedele is a graduate of The University of Ilorin with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education (Chemistry). The incoming Principal has proved his mettle in various activities in the school in the last five years. He won our Association’s award for the best performing teacher in the school on two occasions. His students scored 100% in Chemistry in the last two years and has been instrumental to the development of the ongoing Digital Centre Project in the school. He is to take over from the outgoing Principal, Mr. M. S. Folorunsho who is due for retirement in a couple of months. Let me state here categorically that Mr. Odedele was chosen by us after a very rigorous and transparent selection process conducted by a Committee of 5 experienced Educators under the Chairmanship of Prince Adedokun Agunlejika. We are indeed very grateful to them. On behalf of all of us, I wish Mr. Odedele all the best in this position.
I have also mandated a 3-Man Panel under Prince Agunlejika, to work with Mr. Odedele on THE WAY FORWARD for the school and I expect this Team will present a report to the Executive Committee in due course.
The Digital Centre Project is progressing satisfactorily as the Committee is leaving no stone unturned. In the next few days, we expect some delightful information. During my last visit to the Centre on Friday, 17th May, 2024, I directed that the facilities for the computers should be increased from 20 to 30 as we have enough space to occupy 30 computers with 15 twin desks. I believe this will optimize the available space and save us additional costs when we expand the service offerings in future.
Let me quickly use this opportunity to thank all buddies for their prayers and financial contributions to this project. It is the dawn of a new era. To the Committee members under the leadership of our Iron lady, Mrs. Kofoworola Ajelabi nee Ogunbiyi, I salute you all for your time and sacrifice. God will reward you all for this labour of love to humanity.
By the grace of God, immediately after the formal launch of this project, our Vocational Training and Agricultural Projects in the school will be unveiled. We want to ensure that there is no dull moment in the activities of the Association, and OUR SCHOOL WILL BE THE ENVY OF ALL OTHER SCHOOLS IN THE WEST!
May I seize this opportunity once again to remind us that we should pay attention to our health as individuals and as a family. The Group Life Insurance Policy of the Association is due to be renewed on June 30, 2024. I would encourage us to take advantage of this policy for ourselves and spouses. We do not pray for death, but it is reasonable to engage in things that would be of help in case of any incident. On a related note, I urge our members who qualify to register for the Ijesaland Health Insurance Scheme for Elders, being sponsored by The Ijesa Community Development Assembly, one of our Social Intervention Groups to which I belong as a Trustee.
Ladies and gentlemen, for the sake of emphasis, I wish to say that whenever you have any health challenge, please talk to a confidant among the old students who can bring this to our notice. Sometimes, we may be of help and still respect individual privacy wishes. I believe this is one of the fundamental objectives of a dynamic Old Students’ Association.
I have noticed a slightly elevated level of sensitivity towards the Platform Administrators who delete messages that are not related to our Main Platform. We appointed them as GATE KEEPERS, and we need to tolerate them whilst discharging their duties. This issue is RULE RELATED and if we set the rules, we should just follow it without exception. I urge those that engage in Multi-Platform postings to please be mindful of our School’s Matters Platform and ensure that postings on THIS PLATFORM relate to THE SCHOOL!
In my usual style, may I seize this opportunity to rejoice with those buddies who marked their birthdays and celebrated the wedding of their children during the month. We thank God for all these, and I pray that God, in His infinity mercy would continue to bless all our esteemed families. I cannot but express my delight for our show of love during the burial of the mother-in-law (Late Madam Olabisi Olayinka) of our big brother and member of the Board of Trustees of the Association, Elder Olalere Olaleye, on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd, May, 2024 in Lagos. She was our mother too, going by the fact that her daughter, Mrs. Olaleye is an “Associate Buddy”. May God honour you all.
It is also gladdening to note that some individuals and groups are interested in lending a hand of fellowship for the provision of amenities in the school.
May I appeal that any SET or GROUP or INDIVIDUAL who wishes to embark on one project or the other should please formally inform the Secretariat of the Association for ease of planning and coordination. We look forward to seeing more scholarships, foundation, special projects and activities coming up in the school very soon. May the Lord enrich the purse of every one of us.
In conclusion, I want to say thank you for your support and the confidence you repose in the leadership of the Association. My fervent prayer is that the Association will continue to grow from strength to strength. May Allah, the most merciful and most compassionate, bless us all more than our expectations in the months ahead.
THANK YOU ALL.
Lateef A. Bakare, FCA, FBR
June 1, 2024