Gradually, year 2023 is running to an end as we have enjoyed the grace of God to witness the eleventh month. It is the manifestation of Almighty God’s grace, for which we should always be grateful.
Let me start this month’s address by appreciating all those buddies and families who made the 2022/2023 Valedictory Service/Prize-Giving Ceremony held on Thursday, 5th October 2023 at Osu a huge success. As buddies, we rose to the occasion and provided the needed fillip to the aspirations of all the governance organs of the school, to wit: The EXCO, The BoT, The BoG, The PTA and the School Management. Your response to the appeal for support was impressive as many buddies joined the list of annual donors. The attendance by the old students and the parents was quite remarkable and should promote healthy competition amongst the pupils in future. Your EXCO is very appreciative of the gestures, and we have not taken your contribution for granted. We also hope that in the years ahead, we shall do better than this as we raise the bar of excellence in our Alma Mater.
As promised, the Stakeholders’ meeting was held on the same day (Thursday, 5th October 2023) and several decisions were taken on the strategies of improving the academic and moral performances of the students. This crucial meeting took place shortly before the Valedictory programme with a representative of The Tutor General of the Osun East Senatorial District of the State Ministry of Education, many members of EXCO, BoT, representatives of the Parents-Teachers’ Association and the Academic staff of the school. I am happy to report that the Education Committee under the indefatigable leadership of Prince ‘Dokun Agunlejika, our 1st Vice President, has hit the ground running on the outcome of the meeting.
However, one big challenge before this Executive is how to get a mini ICT centre ready for the school before the close of the term. It is practically impossible for the students to perform well in Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Examination without having a good knowledge of computer-based test (CBT) methodology. As Oliver Twist, in that popular literature book, we have come again to request for your individual and group assistance in the provision of computer hardware and software for the school. It is our intention to have a minimum of ten sets of computers in the school. Whoever can lend a helping hand in this regard should please chat me privately by WhatsApp or Direct message on telephone line +234-807-709-9000 or the Secretary on +234-803-454-2416. We are already working on the security of these proposed items and insurance cover for the critical infrastructure being provided in the school.
Riding on the resolve of Osun State Government to recover all school land that has been encroached upon for whatever purposes, the EXCO will, apart from finalizing the registration of the Survey already carried out, we will be approaching appropriate organs of government or the office of Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, Oba Dr. Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, CFR, LLD to get the original perimeter survey of the school land as donated in 1962.
In the meantime, we intend to make use of the available land for agricultural purposes by way of investment and teaching. In this regard, we are working out a pilot project as Proof of Concept that will stand us out in our experience as an Old Students’ Association. Buddies who are experts in this area or interested in any agricultural project should please allow us to drink from their fountain of knowledge. I cannot but mention the determination of buddies who are OSU indigenes in ensuring that the forest at the back of the school is cleared against the next drying season. The 1988 SET has actually set the ball rolling a few years back; we shall ensure that your effort is not wasted.
I am pleased to inform you that our enlightenment programme on health and general wellness will soon take off. Let us take the advantage of the period to get properly informed.
Information is very vital to our well-being as individuals and groups. EXCO is also considering the re-introduction of our Monthly Personality Program from January 2024 to bring out the best in us for the benefit of the younger buddies.
They can benefit from the experience of older buddies and can make their own journeys shorter.
Let me, at this juncture, and on behalf of EXCO, express our sincere condolences to our members who lost their loved ones during the month that has just ended. We pray that Almighty God will forgive their sins, grant their souls a peaceful repose and give their families the fortitude to bear the loss.
On the other hand, we wish to rejoice with those individuals and families who marked their birthdays or celebrated the marriages of their children recently. We pray for continuous blessing on our families. May things of joy never depart from our family circles.
In my usual way, I want to encourage more buddies to participate in our Group Life Insurance Scheme. It is to provide a level of financial support to beneficiaries in case of any eventualities.
Ladies and gentlemen, I wish to express our deep appreciation to you all for being there for us. No doubt, ours is a unique family. I pray that by the grace of Allah, our collective efforts shall be bountifully rewarded. Welcome to the month of November.
THANK YOU ALL.
Lateef A. Bakare