CMS Grammar School Celebrates164th Founders’ Day

Funmi Ogundare

As CMS Grammar School, Bariga, Lagos, prepares to mark its 164th Founders’ Day celebrations, the President of the Old Grammarians’ Society (OGS), Mr. Olu Vincent has commended the old boys for their efforts in ensuring that the school regained its lost glory.

Briefing journalists on the activities, recently, Vincent recalled the devastation of the school’s infrastructure and the destruction of its values before the government returned it to the mission in 2001. He described the period as one of the darkest moment in the history of the school, saying that the students at that time, lost the very best of its traditions and culture.
He explained how some notable old boys had put pressure on the government for the return of the school to the mission, saying that they also ensured that a lot of developmental projects were carried out over the years.
According to him, “consequently, upon return of the school, there was need for massive infrastructural development which we are yet to complete. The old boys believe that they owe the school an obligation to ensure a restoration of the glory of the school. This has been encapsulated in our yearly attestation of loyalty to the school.
The president disclosed that the OGS is making plans towards ensuring that all the students would, by October this year, be fully residential in the school so as to prepare them for life after school and imbibe its values. He added that it will also be commissioning a medium water supply system with over 40,000 litres storage capacity and treatment plant for the school, courtesy of 1983 celebrating set.
Other projects, the president noted, include; installation of CCTV cameras in strategic areas, WiFi router for intranet access to education materials, laying of optic fibre for the school’s computerization programme by OGS America, among others.
He expressed excitement about the performance of the students in various examinations, saying that it has justified the investments they have put in place for them to excel.
“The proprietors of the school must be acknowledged for their determination to ensure academic excellence and inculcating sound moral values with the feat of God in the students. Most of them have secures admissions in various universities in Nigeria, while only a few travelled abroad for further education,” he said.
Other activities slated for the Founders’ Day include; prize giving celebrations for the students, career talk which will be chaired by a former General Manager of PENCOM and Mr. Adekunle Ajanaku as father of the day, as well as a lecture that will be delivered by a former Permanent Secretary in Lagos, Mr. Lekan Ogunbanwo. Presentations will also be made by notable old boys who have excelled in their chosen careers.
The Principal of the school, Rev. Jacob Ogunyinka commended the OGS for their efforts in developing the school, adding that their impact has greatly improved teaching and learning among the teachers and students.