St. Gregory Old Boys Mark Golden Jubilee, Renovate Labs

Ugo Aliogo, Omotayo Ajayi and Christopher Ike

St. Gregory College Old Boys Association, 1967 set recently marked its golden jubilee with series of activities aimed at bringing about unity among members.

The programme, which kicked-off with a thanksgiving mass witnessed an award of academic excellence to the best senior teacher and students in the senior and junior secondary school.

Speaking at the event, the National President of the association, Dr. John Abebe, said the significance of the celebration was the unity they have built over the years, which he said has kept them together despite all odds.

He disclosed that 12 laboratories have already been renovated by the old boys and would be launched in January next year to mark the college’s 90th anniversary and cross-over to 134 years of existence.

Abebe said the focus of the project is to raise the standard of learning in the college, adding that the association would also raise money to carry out other projects.

“My area of focus has been getting the old boys back to do things for the college. I remember when I came in as the national president of the old boys association it was not easy getting members to attend meetings, but now things have improved. As a matter of fact, the annual general meeting that brought me in, we had 500 members, it has never happened in St. Gregory’s College. We are delighted and we are maintaining that focus of bringing in more members, with more people you can achieve more.”

In his remarks, the Secretary General, Mr. Edward Sappor said the college has a project team which is the standing committee, adding that it is a collaboration of the board of governors and the old boys.

He stated that when the college was handed over in 2001, their first projects were the renovations and rehabilitations of the laboratories which were already in bad shape, saying, “we got our architects to come with two different designs options.

“We finally settled with the design with 12 laboratories, there were subjects that were not part of the school curriculum, but they are now part of the curriculum because of the education system which government placed into it. Whatever the policy of government is, the church will implement, but choose its standard.

“We began the project just about 18 months ago; some of the materials used for the project were imported to reduce the cost. One of the ways we are financing it is to solicit financial support from old boys of different sets and individuals. We have a break down, for anybody who funds a particular aspect of the project we put a plaque in commemoration of whoever does it.”

In his remarks, the Chairman of the association, Mr. Yinka Ajala, described the last 50 years as wonderful for them, adding that during their days in the college, the reverend fathers ensured that they received overall educational development and inculcated in them the spirit of discipline.

He explained that the training they received in the college helped in strengthening their foundation and positioned them as shining examples among their peers from other schools.

He said there is need to continue with the development drive of the college, adding that it cannot lag behind in the issue of education excellence and growth. “This will ensure that those coming after us will build on the legacy we have left behind.”