Peace Obi
Twenty-seven years after graduating from the Lagos State University (LASU), the alumni class of 1990 recently held its maiden reunion party in Lagos.
Tagged ‘Meet and Greet’, the planning committee said the event was organised to bring the members together and to chart the way forward towards the execution of the various programmes and projects the group intends to embark on.
In a chat with THISDAY, the Coordinator of the group, Mr. Lanre Bajulaiye said though they are members of the national body of the institution’s alumni, there is need to build a social network that would not only make a positive impact on members and their families, but also to give back to their alma mater and the society.
He said the class of 1990 is set to collaborate with the institution in achieving its set goals, adding that the members would conduct a needs assessment before embarking on any project.
“We just thought it wise to come together and we intend to take it to our colleagues in the diaspora, so that we can have different chapters.
“We have in our midst people who have made their marks in the society today. The essence is to empower ourselves, our alma mater and the student body through network. We will be looking at things that are very germane to the development of our school. “Presently, we have a very dynamic vice-chancellor so we will interact and interface with the school authorities as well as the students to know the school’s areas of need. We will be looking at things that will make impact, like scholarships, capacity building, projects, among others.”
Bajulaiye added that the way to build a better society is for stakeholders to critically look into the education sector; increase investment and become more responsible to their duties. Calling on parents and teachers to shun malpractices in the system, he urged parents to get more involved in the education of their children. “What I have discovered is that most of the times, the blame is put on the children. Meanwhile, some parents don’t even know what is happening to their children.
“There is need for parents to be more involved. You discover parents buying results or even question papers for their children. You ask yourself, ‘what kind of foundation are they laying for these children?’
“Parents should go back to the basis. We are the first set of teachers before these children get to school. We should put back the good values that were placed in us into our children; that is how we can get a better society.”
Speaking also, the initiator of the reunion party, Mrs. Yemi Kolade, said she was surprised at the turn up of members. She said what started five months ago when the urge to have an organised body of old students for some reasons, has recorded an impressive response from members.
She stressed that 27 years is a long time the set stayed without keeping in touch with each other, adding, “I decided to start tagging ourselves. That was when we realised that we can bond, we can be of help to each other and give back to our alma mater.
“Initially, it was like a child’s play but today, we have about 150 people in the group. Most of those attending today’s event are in Lagos. We intend taking this far. We plan to organise vacations for members, bring our families together, among others.”
