Protocols,
My dear compatriots, I welcome you all to November and marching on to the year end. I give thanks to God for keeping us alive and praise Him for His mercy and compassion.
Let me start by appreciating all members the Executive Committee for the support you offer to me all the time. This appreciation also applies to all buddies for rallying round the EXCO as occasion demands. We have not and will not take this for granted.
Let me recall that the last two months, (i.e September and October 2024) had been very eventful and unique in the history of our Association in particular, and Osun State in general. The official commissioning on Monday, 23rd September 2024, of the Digital Centre, financed exclusively by the entire old students and their families, and the modern toilet facility built by the 1974 SET was unprecedented in the history of any school in the State. We glorify God Almighty for enabling us to complete these projects successfully and celebrate the accompanying two-in-one ceremony without any hitches. Once again, I acknowledge and appreciate the attendance and the participation of many old students, State Government officials, parents, teachers, and students at the befitting occasion. My prayer is that the Lord will continue to bless all members of the Association and our respective families.
Let me publicly acknowledge the fact that members of the 1974 SET have set a new precedent in our quest for development of our school by marking their 50th Year of graduation from the school with this modern toilet facility. I know it is a lot of sacrifice on their part in terms of Time, Talent, and Treasure. We appreciate this gesture as EXCO, and we want to seize this opportunity to appeal to other SETS to follow this good example. Those who have celebrated their 50 years of graduation can still make an impact. After all, it is better late than never!
Furthermore, you may not need to wait until 50 years; a little contribution from any SET or individual would make a difference in the activities of the school and would be acknowledged as appropriate. I pray that the Association will continue to grow from strength to strength. Amen.
Ladies and gentlemen, the tempo of our activities must not reduce for any reason whatsoever. I guess we just wanted a short break to reenergise! As I have hinted on some occasions, we have a few individuals and a SET, who are working behind the scenes to ensure that the Association lives up to the motto of the school, “KO NI AFARAWE”
The official commissioning of the Digital Centre was just the beginning of other related projects around the ICT space. The upgrading of the teaching methods in the school with the use of projector and hoisting a website for the Association are being envisioned. Details of our efforts in this direction would be unfolded at the right time. We are already putting on our thinking caps to give the School and the Association the best.
In addition, you would recollect that ahead of the Federal Government’s introduction of some trades into the secondary school curriculum, we had mentioned our determination to make our students productive in the society and useful in their personal life. The spadework has begun, and we hope to give practical expression to these ideas early in the new year.
At the appropriate time, we also hope to work with one of us, Prince Abiodun Lufadeju, who is the brain behind the School-to-Work Project in the State to domesticate some programs for our students. Being under the apple tree, they must be partakers in these goodies!
Meanwhile, I rejoice once again with all buddies who marked their birthdays in the month that has just ended. I thank God for the life of our dear sister, Mrs. Kofoworola Ajelabi nee Ogunbiyi, (our own Anti Kofo) who reached the age of seventy years on Sunday, October 13, 2024. I pray that the Lord will increase her strength and give her good health and a long life to serve God and humanity. I appreciate the honour accorded her by many buddies who attended the programs in Lagos. I thank you all and pray that the Lord in His infinity mercy would bless you and your esteemed families.
I also want to appreciate buddies who attended the farewell programs of our departed sister, Late Mrs. Rachael Komolafe on Friday, 18th October 2024 in Ilesa. She was a very productive member of the Association in her lifetime. May God grant her soul a peaceful repose and protect the family she left behind. Amen.
At this juncture, I want to acknowledge the initiative of the members of 70/75 SET to beautify the school compound by planting flowers, ornamental trees, and palms in the school. I appreciate their intention to make AHSO one of the most beautiful schools in the State in the next few years. Need I say more?
Let’s keep our secrets secret. However, let me advise other sets to move fast as Anti Kofo’s Set has a lot up their sleeve!
On a final note, my humble piece of advice as the year is running to an end is for us all to stay safe and pay attention to our health.
Let us be mindful of the condition of our roads and avoid unnecessary trips. LET US GO DIGITAL! USE YOUR PHONES AS MUCH AS YOU CAN!
May Allah, the most compassionate, most merciful, bless us all more than our expectations in the months ahead.
THANK YOU ALL.
Lateef A. Bakare, FCA, FBR
November 1, 2024