Alumni of one of the early secondary schools in Ilorin, Kwara state, the Ilorin Grammar School (IGS), has called on the state government to build perimeter fence around schools in the state for security reasons.
Speaking during the 20th reunion ceremony of the Class 2000 of the school in Ilorin at the weekend, the chairman of the set, Mr. Shola Lawal, said that lack of perimeter fence had encouraged vandalization of school property by miscreants.
“The major problem we are facing is the fence demarcating IGS. Many people are trekking through the school to different places. These are the people who vandalise property of the IGS”, he said.
Lawal, who appreciated the state government for giving approval for building of dinning hall, boarding facility, laboratory, among other requests of the association, said that delay in implementation was due to recent recession and hoped the projects would come to fruition before the end of first quarter of next year.
He said that members of the group, started with WhatsApp group, had renovated six class rooms, constructed one, supplied 49 computer sets, and furnished the computer room, adding that, “we are still looking forward to do more.
“We started with renovation of the school gate at about N30,000 when we tasked ourselves between N1,000 and N2,000 because we saw the gate had dilapidated”, he said, while he canvassed for endowment or trust fund among members for emergency or for members in need, “to keep the flag flying, preserve the name and remain good ambassadors of the school”.
Also speaking, the national president of the old students association, Alhaji Alabi Folorunsho Owolabi, urged those in advantaged positions in the association to extend their hands of fellowship to others.
“Some of us are in advantaged position why some are still looking for the glory of God. Please, let’s extend our hands of fellowship. I want to implore some of us who say I do not have Lexus Jeep I will not go to old students meeting. They say if others are parking cars I will park motorcycle. I will say let us go, may be you may find your helper there.
“Those of us that came with Lexus Jeep should remember those that came with motorbike Those that came with motorbike can also render assistance to those that came with Lexus jeep. For the fact that we have Lexus jeep today does not mean that we won’t need the assistance of those who dont have anything. What is essential is oneness. It is through oneness we would be able to get the full advantage of being in the same environment”, he said.
Owolabi, who said they have about 45 sets of IGS old students’ associations, noted that the 2000 set had been very special, “not because they have money but the commitment of members and what they have been able to donate”.
The principal of the school, Alhaji Abubakar Toyin, who was represented by Mrs. Ibrahim Alifa, expressed gratitude of the school management.
Highpoint of the programme was the presentation of gifts to six senior secondary school students of the school who had distinguished themslves in their various classes, while one of them, Shola Aminat, who spoke on behalf of others, expressed gratitude for the kind gesture.
