To promote the general advancement of its alma mater, the Old Boys Association of  Ibadan Boys’ High School has raised N30 million to rehabilitate structures in the college.

The money was raised at the Gala Night held to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the school in Ibadan.

Mr Taiwo Obe, the association’s School Anniversary’s Publicity Secretary, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that some of the projects earmarked for rehabilitation include laboratories, classroom blocks and hostels.

Also speaking with NAN, Chief Bode Amao , the President of the alumni association, said the group decided to embark on rehabilitation projects to restore the school’s lost glory.

“The old boys decided to use the occasion of the anniversary to raise money when we saw the dilapidated state of the school’s facilities.

“The effort to uplift our alma mater by these laudable projects is highly commendable.

“So, we set to work and by the Grace of God and the support of some old boys, we have been able to raise the money.

“We still need about N10 million to complete the projects we have earmarked and return the school to its glory days,” he said.

One of the late founder’s children, Mr David Oyesina,  said he was grateful to the old students for their efforts, adding that the occasion would have made his late father very proud.

According to him, he felt elated that his father’s vision had outlived him and the first generation of students.

He urged the government to return schools previously established by private individuals to their rightful owners in order to check the falling standards of education.

“One of the ways to improve the falling standard of education in the country is to return the schools to the original owners.

“Primary and secondary schools form a huge part of a child ’s formative years and it can influence how a child turns out in the future.

“When schools were run by the missionaries and private individuals, the standard obtained then was equal to global standards.

“Right now, the old boys association of this school is currently making efforts to revive the boarding system of the school because we appreciate that the foundation of a child’s education is built from the primary and secondary schools,” he said.

NAN reports that the Ibadan Boys’ High School, popularly known by its moniker– “white white” –was established in 1938 by the late Chief Timothy Oyesina.

The school, which is the second secondary school founded by an individual, has produced notable individuals who had contributed significantly to the development of the country.

Among them are two former Oyo State governors, Sen. Rashidi Ladoja and late Chief Kolapo Ishola; a former Managing Director of  Daily Times of Nigeria, Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi; and Late Chief Adebayo Faleti, a  Yoruba cultural icon.

Prof. Chukuka Okonjo, the father of a former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, was the third principal of the school between 1952 and 1955.

Okonjo was given an Award of Excellence for his stint at the school during the gala night. (NAN)

– Oct. 29, 2018 @ 12:15 GMT |