The National President, Christ School Ado Ekiti Alumni Association, Mr Kunle Jinadu, has expressed the resolve of the group to rebuild and redevelop parts of the infrastructure of the 90-year-old secondary school.
Jinadu said a 6-month renewal agenda has been set to drive the alumni efforts at raising billions of naira to actualise the goal.
He spoke in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, during the school’s 90th Father’s Anniversary sponsored by the 1988/1993 alumni Set.
The alumni president said, “90th anniversary, which we have tagged the ‘Granite Anniversary’ says so many things to us. Firstly, for the long-standing of the school, secondly, for the fact that, after so many years of government having taken over the ownership of the school, we are celebrating the 90th anniversary in the hand of the original owner. You will recall that the school about three years ago had been returned to its original owner, which is the Anglican Diocese, so it is a great event for us. And lastly, it is also an opportunity to start preparing for the centenary, which is the hundred years.
“If you notice everywhere in the world today, all the way through to December, you will be seeing celebrations in so many countries about Christ School, Ado Ekiti.
“The school has been returned, certainly not the way it was handed over to the government and a lot of infrastructures are dilapidated , yet the Alumni have always been supporting and develop the school over the years but now we are in a season of renewal, the decision of our body is to constitute a renewal agenda which we are celebrating over the next six months for the activities which starts today and will take us up to December for the grand finale. It is an opportunity for us to raise much money to renew and rebuild the school”.
The President Christ School 1988/1993 alumni Set, Mr Bello Hakeem, who are also celebrating their 30th reunion, said their intention was to give back to their alma mater and encourage the students.
He said the Set has been doing a lot for the school and students by giving scholarships and building infrastructure in the past.
“For this year, we still gave our annual scholarship to 14 students boys and girls, some got 50, 000 naira each, various forms of supports were also given to the school programmes, some classrooms were also renovated and exercise books have been purchased to be distributed to all the students of the school.In the 1988/1993 set, we were about 200, but we have over 180 of us who were around for this reunion,” he said.
The Ladies President, 1988/1993 Set, Mrs Foluke Daodu, who noted that the alumni have been trying their best to develop the school, called for government supports as they alone can’t meet all the needs of the school and take this school to greater heights.
The Christ School old students were also at the palace of Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, to inform him of their plans and to receive royal blessings.
Addressing the alumni, Oba Adejugbe said, “Ado Ekiti community never regretted given out the expanse land to the Anglican communion then for the establishment of the Christ School , the name of the school lifted the town and put it in world map through those who passed through the school”.
The monarch, who noted that there are a good number of the school’s old students across the globe who are successful in their various fields, urged the leadership of the alumni association to use their contacts and connections to raise the funds for the renewal move.
“We are happy when the school was returned to the Anglican communion. Government has a lot of school to take care. I want to charge to join hands with the church to develop the school and bring back to its rightful place”.
Various speakers, including Mrs Adenike Babatola, who is the Vice President, Christ School Alumni Association, UK and America, took turns to bare their minds on the Founder’s Day anniversary public symposium with the topic: “Restoring Christ School Back To Glory Days”.
They stressed the need for the school to be repositioned structurally, spiritually, culturally and in terms of respect for teachers and seniors.
Venerable Ajayi of Ekiti Anglican Diocese, urged them to have good knowledge of Christ and follow good example like those who established this school for our state and country to continue to grow and develop.
“This 90th anniversary being celebrated is to encourage the young ones to be good citizens of Nigeria. The Alumni who are here today, they have done their best and leading good example for the younger ones to emulate”.
The principal of the school, Venerable Archdeacon Oso Ebenezer Oluwarotimi, said, “We are here to celebrate and mark June 30, 1933, when Christ School was established in Ado Ekiti by Henry and Dorothy Dallimore.
“Exactly today, the school turned 90 years old . It is a joyful thing that worth celebrated. It is telling our young students to love Christ ‘s School, that when they grow up and become successful in life to return their love their alma mater that took care of them when they were young”.
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