The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), has called on government to return public schools to their original owners to allow stakeholders, including alumni associations, contribute fully towards the development of the institutions. Ogunwusi made the call on Saturday, during the inauguration of projects worth N50 million at the St. John Grammar School, Ile-Ife, in Osun. The projects were executed by members of the St. John Old Boy’s Association (SJOBA). He decried the level of decay in the country’s school system and lamented that founders of the schools, which were mostly Churches and clergymen, left great structures which had deteriorated due to lack of proper maintenance. “I call on our government to allow real owners, especially alumni of our schools, to take charge in order to restore the glory of our education sector. “They know better because they have been through the system and are in the best position to effect the required changes towards prosperity. “Look at the projects we’re inaugurating today; we’re talking of projects worth N50 million. It will take the government a longer period to do something like this. “That is if they even find it necessary in the first place because of the large number of important demands competing for government’s limited resources,” Ooni added. The monarch asked the old students if they could enroll their children in their Alma Mata, judging by the current standard, but got a negative response from the audience who agreed with him that it was better to let old students step in, to play active roles in the interest of the upcoming generation. Osun governor Gboyega Oyetola, in his address, applauded members of the SJOBA for the projects which included a gate and a fence worth N18 million, and a full-size bronze statue of the founder, Rev. Father Fabian Cloutier, worth N5.1 million. He also commended the quality of other projects like the modern toilets constructed at the cost of N12.5 million, library renovation which cost N5 million, and the renovation of two blocks of classroom which cost N15 million. He also commended the quality of other […]

St. John’s Old Boys Association (SJOBA), has joined well-wishers to celebrate Bashorun Dele Momodu, an accomplished writer, media entrepreneur, prodigious author and famous socialite, as he turns 60 today. Momodu attended the prestigious St. John’s Grammar School, Ile-Ife in Osun State and graduated in 1976. A statement by the Publicity Secretary of the association, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, said that Momodu cut his literary teeth and nurtured his talents and craft as a future writer in the conducive intellectual environment of the school. “Bashorun Momodu has demonstrated the virtues and values of missionary education that combines spiritual and academic enlightenment. “We are indeed proud that a product of our institution has shown the world of media the quality of our nurture,” the statement said.   Source : The Nation

RESTRICTED by the government regulations on COVID-19, the old boys association of St. John’s Grammar School, Ile-Ife, has devised an electronic poll system to elect its new executives. The device also enabled members of the association in over 20 locations in four continents to fill their ballots and vote. Members voted from Nigeria, Canada, United Kingdom, United States, Denmark, Australia, South Africa, among other countries, last Saturday. Mr. Lanke Bakare, who handled the technical details, said: “We used Google Forms. Google Forms are used to create online surveys and quizzes. These are sent to other people for completion and received back for analysis. It allows you to design the format you want your survey to take and the type of response you want. Responses are automatically collated and easily copied to windows for further analysis.” According to the Secretary of the Electoral Committee, Mr. Yomi Layinka, 218 members participated in the election of the 11-member executive of the association. Layinka, who was the Special Adviser to former Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, said the committee also held series of interactions with the candidates on the association’s Telegram platform fielding questions from all over the world. The new executive council comprises Dr. Festus Osoba (President), Olajide Makinde (First Vice-President), Jibola Awoseyi (Second Vice-President) and Ike Diaku (Third Vice-President) Others are: Prince Debo Adefisan (General Secretary), Obafemi Obadare (Assistant General Secretary), Kehinde Bamigbetan (Publicity Secretary) and Barrister Temitope Elusogbon (Social Secretary). The team also includes Taiwo Adedire (Financial Secretary), Olaolu Omifare (Treasurer) and Adedapo Adeyeba (Auditor). Accepting the mandate on behalf of the new executive, Dr. Osoba hailed the electoral committee for its ingenuity and thanked all members for participating in the digital election. He said: “We promise responsible leadership that benefits the membership. We promise to communicate and give direction; empower others and leave a good and befitting legacy. We realise that you will only follow us if you trust us. We have a clearly defined and well-communicated vision as outlined in our various manifestoes.”   Source : The Nation