Having the mindset that government alone should not be saddled with developmental responsibility, a group of old students of Abeokuta Grammar School specifically the set that got admitted in 1985 and graduated in 1991, has earmarked about N13 million for the development of the school.
Coming under the aegis of Abeokuta Grammar School Old Boys Association (AGSOBA) 8591, the set, which coincidentally is marking its 25th anniversary of graduating from the school, said it decided on its action by giving back to the alma mater, which was the basis of success, which its members have recorded so far in their endeavours.
President of the set, Mr. Oludare Olateju who led some of the members to the school’s 108 anniversary celebration in Abeokuta, Ogun State last week, noted that the set’s focus now is the renovation and equipping of the school’s Home Economics block after which attention will be shifted to other projects. He believes that if all sets could emulate them, the school will be restored to its past glory. The project, according to him, will gulp over N13 million.
“Since we left school, the spirit of Abeokuta Grammar School has always been with us everywhere we go. Even in our university days, we had those of us coming together but because of our situation then, we were not earning money, there was very little we could do, but in the last 3-4 years, we have come together to organise ourselves and we run via committees. So we have the welfare committee, the investment committee, the social committee, the mentoring committee, mobilisation and publicity committee, and for each of these committees, we have chairmen (the cell leaders), we have different projects that will take care of the present day students, members of our sets, and the school as an institution,” Olateju said.
According to him, the second phase of the Home Economics project includes procurement of about 30 computers in one wing of the hall.
“We have a member who is an IT expert based in Switzerland. He has been able to secure some of these from the Switzerland government and when the time comes we will bring them in. We have engineers among us that have given their talents, time and resources to put infrastructure in place for all of these. So, if you look back, if we have about 10 active young sets doing one thing or the other,” he said. Also, Dr. Jamiu Owodeyi, Chairman Mentoring Committee, disclosed that AGSOBA 8591 seized the occasion of the anniversary to reward excellence by giving out laptop each with full one year subscription on wifi to the best JSS student, best SSS student, and the best teacher for the year.
African Church Cathedral Salem Kick Starts First Harvest
Adedayo Adejobi
Last Sunday, the African Church Cathedral Salem, Yaba, Lagos, bustled with interesting activities as the church members from far and wide converged in a colourful ceremony to commemorate their first community/cultural harvest.
For this century year old church, the occasion was significant because that was the first time the church would be having a combined harvest nationwide. Until last Sunday, the churches had their harvest separately but this time, it was decided that all the African Church Cathedral Salem should have a combined harvest and to introduce culture into it.
In his message, the Provost and Archdeaconry Chairman of the church, The Ven. Moses Sunday Makanjuola stated that promoting culture is also a good way of teaching and inculcating moral values in the society and that religion cannot be separated from culture. “So everyone came together in their various cultures to worship God and celebrate his goodness to them.”
He also emphasised the need for all Nigerians to turn to God for solutions for all the challenges we are facing as a nation.
Speaking on the anti-preaching bill aimed at curbing religion extremism in Kaduna, Makanjuola said it was not a way of curbing anything but rather it is a persecution against the Christendom. He said persecution is not new to Christendom because Jesus Christ was also persecuted and he had foretold that his disciples will also be persecuted and for this, the Christians will always prevail just like Jesus did. According to him, “Persecution will only move us forward.”
The grand patron of the church Bashorun P.A. Sholola also added that the need for godliness and contentment are very vital to achieving the desired peace in our nation. Also speaking on the deviation of preaching salvation to prosperity, as it is in many churches, Bode Shobola the Cathedral People’s Warden said it is the reason there are many problems now. “People need to be taught values of life not placing all attention on money. Salvation is the most important and this is what the church should know and teach its members.” Describing the turnout of event, Eng. Kunle Shogbesan, the Chairman, Harvest Committee said he’s pleased and look forward to even a better one next year with more room for improvement.
