MHSIOBA Holds First Reunion, Advocates Alumni Takeover of Schools

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan 

The Old Students’ Association of Methodist High School, Ibadan (MHSIOBA), has expressed its committment to the development of the school, appealing to the Oyo State government to hand over the school to it for effective management. 

The National President of the association, Dr. Lekan Abioye, said this during the gala night to round-off the mega re-union of the old boys with the theme, ‘Education, innovation and possibilities for a better nation’.

He stated that government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of running its schools, adding that the association has committed a lot to make the school a source of pride to its members and deserves to be appreciated by the government.

He disclosed that since he assumed leadership of the association in 2019, the association has executed several projects such as renovation of legacy building by the 1982 set and construction of a befitting entrance gate by the 1981 set, among others. 

While unveiling the medium/long term development plan for the school in terms of infrastructural development, Abioye maintained that the association is all about giving back to humanity and working towards making the lives of members better. 

He said, “the Oyo State government has been doing its best to add more support to give quality education, however the government alone cannot do it and that is the more reasons it becomes so important that the alumni associations come to the aid of their schools to revive and manage them.

“With our investment, support and care for our alma mater, we know that very soon the government will be looking at handing over our own school to the Methodist High School Old Boys Association to manage and grow because we love our school with passion.”

Abioye, who noted that the association will continue to work as partner in progress with the government and the Methodist Church to move the school forward and not looking for who to blame, enumerated the projects that the association desires to have in the school.

The projects include coastal school van; standard science laboratories for Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Introduction to Technology; renovation of hostel buildings; renovation of teaching staff residential buildings; and construction of standard lawn tennis/basketball lawn.

Others are internet connectivity to the school; completion of event hall; standardization of ICT centre; completion of library and equipping it with latest books to match the present curriculum and completion of the perimeter fence. 

Present at the ceremony were the first principal of the school, Pa Gabriel Osinbowale; the first student, Prof. Yemi Akinrinmade, past and present principals, past and present teachers, as well as students of the school. 

Highlights of the event included the presentation of award to the Oyo State government, and distinguished sets and members of the association.