Protocols.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I welcome all of us to the year 2025 and thank God for His grace. Let us praise Him for the gift of life. No doubt, God has been gracious and merciful to us all as individuals and as a group. Once again, we return all glory to Him.
The year 2024 has been an action-packed and glorious one for us as an Association.
In Osun State, we have raised the bar of Old Students participation and contribution to their alma maters. I appreciate the support this Executive received from you throughout the period. May God continue to bless you all for generously assisting us in every given situation. We cannot afford to take this unusual understanding for granted.
I shall continue with my appeal to public-spirited individuals, SETS and CHAPTERS of the Association in various parts of the world to continue to support our vision. No contribution is small at this point of our development. I pray that the Association will continue to grow from strength to strength Ladies and gentlemen, the rhythm must continue. We cannot afford to relax at this stage of our development. We have at all times reaffirmed our determination to make our students more productive in the society and useful in their personal lives.
Therefore, we are calling for Volunteers who would be able to drive some of the developmental projects in the school; particularly in Agriculture and Vocational Studies. Where it is not possible to be practically present in the school, you can channel your ideas through our Secretary, Mr. Gbadegesin Aasa on telephone/WhatsApp No. +2348034542416, who would get in touch with the appropriate quarters.
Let me quickly once again use this opportunity to appreciate a few individuals who are working tirelessly behind the scene to ensure that the Association measures up to the motto of the school, KO NI AFARAWE. I am immensely grateful to them for being there for us.
As to the academic activities in the school, I believe that the Education Committee will soon come up with certain measures that will continuously scale up the present standard of things. I want to mention here that the Association is going to be involved in a Library Development Funding Project in due course with a view to meeting the information need of the school, and getting the students accustomed to the use of modern Library facilities. I am sure buddies who are experts in this specialized area would afford us their services.
I am delighted to inform you all that the Association has purchased a projector and a big screen Board for the school to upgrade teaching activities. Work is also progressing on the Association’s website. Many thanks to Mrs. Kofoworola Ajelabi and her team for their untiring efforts.
Next, I want to thank God for the lives of our buddies who celebrated their birthdays in December. I pray that the Lord will increase their strength and give them all, good health and long life. Many thanks to Ilesa branch of the Association and many other old students who attended the wedding ceremony of the Farotimis at Ibadan recently. I recognize in particular, the presence of our former President, Major General Oluwafemi Lawrence Jokotola (Rtd), all the way from Kaduna. The Lord will honour you all. I say a big congratulation to Elder and Mrs. ‘Niyi Farotimi.
Let me also inform all Buddies of my appointment as Ajiroba of Ijesaland by our new Kabiyesi, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adesuyi Clement Haastrup, Ajimoko III, The Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, on December 29, 2024. I pray that God will grant His Imperial Majesty the Solomonic wisdom to fulfill his laudable ambition to reign with dignity, integrity, compassion and bring peace and prosperity to Ijesaland.
On a sad note, it was indeed painful to learn of the death of our former school Principal, Mr. Michael Folorunsho early last month. He had just a few weeks to his retirement before the cold hands of death struck. As attested to, Late Michael Folorunsho spent most of his teaching career in our school both as a class teacher and Principal. His contribution to the development of the school and commitment to duty have been publicly acknowledged. May God grant him eternal rest. Meanwhile, I want to implore many buddies to attend the funeral arrangements slated for Friday, 10th and 11th Saturday of January 2025. Details will be posted on our new media platforms for our information. May God grant his gentle soul a peaceful repose, provide for and protect the members of the family he left behind.
As we are starting a new year, my humble advice is for us all to stay safe and pay attention to our health. Let us look at how we can do certain things differently in the new year to bring about more gains or achievements for us in our personal lives and businesses. May God help us all.
Finally, I pray that may Allah, the most merciful and most beneficent, bless us all more than our expectations in this new year.
THANK YOU ALL.
Lateef A. Bakare, FCA, FBR