CMS Grammar School OGS Honours Old Boys for Preserving College Legacy

Funmi Ogundare

The Old Grammarians’ Society (OGS), CMS Grammar School, Bariga, recently honoured some old boys who have demonstrated exceptional performance, ingenuity and a tireless commitment towards preserving the legacy of their alma mater.
They included: a senior advisor on National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) and Chief Executive of Indev Group, Dr. Chike Madueke; a retired director with the Lagos State government, Olakunle Lediju; Managing Director, Hygate Nigeria, Olaide Adesanya; a medical doctor and President of Old Grammarians’ Society (OGS) America, Prof. Adeleke Ogunmefun, among others.
Speaking at the merit award ceremony, held at the school hall, the President of the OGS, Cyril Ogbekene said the group has always rewarded excellence and consistency; and ensured that the students are motivated to aspire to be the best at all times.
The president, who was a recipient of the award in 2010, stated that it is a culture the OGS celebrates yearly.
He stated that the criteria for the award include nomination of someone by a class set and interrogation of the person’s resume to ascertain his qualification and standard.
“Everybody has the capacity to be the best they can be and that was why I described them as shoulders and heads above the rest.”
He recalled that when the school withnessed a decline in standard, his set hosted the annual founders’ day celebration to mark its 25 years of leaving school, adding that as the president, he insisted that the programme was held in the school so that the old boys can go round to see the environment.
“Everything you see here has been a progressive rehabilitation of the structure that we left and we encourage people to do more. The projects have been monumental,” Ogbekene stated.
One of the honorees, Mr. Olayiwola Fafowora of the 1983 set, said a school’s alumni association is essential to its growth and wellbeing.
He expressed satisfaction with his set’s achievements, saying, “we are very proud of ourselves and what we have been able to achieve because everybody is engaged and involved in different projects to promote the ideals of the school. As the first secondary school in Nigeria, we need to set the standard for others to follow and take the legacy seriously,” he stressed.
Another honouree of the 1982 set, Mr. Afolabi Leigh attributed the virtues he learnt to the school and his old principal, saying that without him, he wouldn’t have become what he is today.
“I have to give honour to whom it is due,” he stated while expressing delight about the honour which was in recognition of his efforts for OGS United Kingdom.
He explained that he was part of the team that formed the OGS UK, made up of about 500 members saddled with the responsibility of supporting the school.
“Currently we are embarking on the solar powered project which is our initiative. We are now teaming up with the OGS America to complete the first phase of the project.”
He argued that if the running and management of the school are left in the hands of the old boys, they are likely to deliver better and contribute to its growth and development.
In his remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Senator Akin Odunsi applauded the achievements of the award recipients who have ensured a continuous restoration projects in the school and that quality of education gets back to standard.
“I am equally proud of the students and academic staff of the school and dedicated professionals who contribute to the continued success and growth of the school. Your collective efforts have brought us to where we stand today, and your commitment to excellence is the driving force behind our shared accomplishment,” he stated.