Eniola Yekini
The Omuo High School Alumni Association (OCHS) Omuo-Ekiti, has celebrated its 56th Founder’s Day, marking a significant milestone in the school’s history.
The old students re-affirmed its commitment to giving back to the institution through mentorship, infrastructure support, scholarships and partnerships that strengthen teaching and learning.
The alumni association also commissioned a N100 million library donated by the 1979/80 sets for the use of the students of the institution.
The OCHS association President, Dr Segun Abe who spoke during the 56 Founder’s Day celebration which took place at the school premises in Omuo Ekiti, appreciated various alumni associations sets who have commissioned one project or the other for the development of the school, while thanking individual leaders who attracted and constructed gigantic projects to improve teaching and learning in the school.
He paid tribute to the teachers both past and present whose labour and sacrifices have produced men and women of substance across diverse fields of human endeavor. “Your impact transcends the classroom and continues to manifest in the lives of your students.
“Your foresight and commitment laid a strong foundation upon which generations of students have been nurtured, trained and prepared for service to society. We have as many as fifty sets produced by the school.”
The OCHS alumni association President urged the students to emulate the old students by carrying themselves as the living future of the great institution. “Wear the school values with pride, let excellence (seek to excel) be your habit, curiosity your compass and service your signature.”
In his address, the Principal of the school,Mr Ajobiewe Adeolu said that the pioneering set of the school remained the pathfinders whose youthful strength and sweat converted a space that was once farmland and forest to an intellectual garden dedicated to the flowering of knowledge and excellence.
He expressed his gratitude to the alumni association for their relentless efforts to improve the learning condition of the students through provision of infrastructure and mentoring, as well as scholarships.
In his goodwill message, former Secretary to Ekiti State Government and pioneer President of the alumni association, Mr Foluso Daramola, appealed to all old students to work relentlessly to keep the flag flying.
“For many years, I carried a quiet burden and concern that our Association remained largely inactive, despite repeated and sometimes desperate appeals for its revival.
“It was a source of deep discomfort and sadness to me especially during my tenure as Commissioner for Education in Ekiti State whenever I attended the reunions and anniversary celebrations of other schools. On those occasions, I could not help but feel disturbed, knowing fully well that my own alumni association was in a state of comatose.
“Let this revival not be a fleeting moment, but a permanent culture. Our school deserves our consistent presence, our collective wisdom, and our unwavering support.”
Some highlights of the 3-day events included the career and mentorship sessions, medical outreach services, the annual general meeting of all the sets, the election/affirmations of the Executive members, traditional burn fire and gala night.
Other highlights included the Award honors to 7 people including the late Mr. S.A. Omole (first principal), late Mr. J.A. Fapounda (former principal) and late Pa S.A. Olarewaju (teaching staff).
Others included late Mr. Kehinde Ijagbemi (teaching staff), elder Olorundare Felix Adeleye aka Vernacular (non-teaching staff), Mr. Jimmy Ajobiewe (former principal) and Dr. Charles Olorunda (member of the first set).
The OCHS was established in 1970 and has graduated notable personalities in various fields of human endeavors among the 50 sets it has produced.