…promises to do more to uplift the School’s infrastructures

By Chris Onuoha

The 1993 Set of Government College Ikorodu, Old Students Association (GCIOSA) held a memorable event to mark their 30 years anniversary of exeunt from their alma mater with a project launch. The set, in their various walks of life, converged at the school premises Thursday, July 6th to unveil a solar powered electrification installation at the school premises. The event was also used by the alumni to fraternize with other members of the main College Association of the GCIOSA from inception.

On ground to unveil the project was the special guest, Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, Senator for Lagos East, ably represented by his Media Aide, Enitan Olukotun. Others were representatives from Honourable Babajimi Benson MHR, Ikorodu Federal Constituency House Rep; Ademola Somide, President of GCIOSA main Alumni; the Principals of the School’s junior secondary section, Modupe Adefolarin and Olusola Awolesi of the Senior secondary section and members of the School Alumni.

According the Chairman, Project Organising Committee, Engr Prince Daniel Ekiyoyo, who also served as the immediate past President of GCI Old Students in UK, said the aim of embarking on the project is one of the association’s cardinal objectives to give back to their alma mater for making them what they are today.

“Today we are marking our 30 years anniversary. And one of the better ways to celebrate it is to bring ourselves together to do something good for our alma mater. We decided on the solar light electrification project that runs across the school’s admin block through the Junior Secondary School session down to the hostel area. This is because we believe it is an innovative idea like green energy that would provide security for the students. We feel this is actually in synergy with what the government of today is trying to do,” Ekiyoyo said.

He mentioned that a junior science laboratory was recently launched by the Set in collaboration with the general Old Student’s Association of the College. “We have also supplied about 50 computers to both junior and senior students as our contribution to upscale IT knowledge of the students,” remarked Ekiyoyo as he mentioned that other members of the general old students association were present to felicitate with them.

“Their presence is to identify and fraternize with us as we celebrate. In the past, we have leveraged their advanced experience and network to our own advantage in terms of providing resources. And that is what alumni is all about – to get together, renew acquaintances and network. We have many of our old students in various careers and professions including government establishments that we can not ordinarily reach, but on an occasion like this, we meet physically to renew acquaintances.

“One good thing about the GCI alumni in general is that we have been motivating and challenging each other to do things for our alma mater. Some have built an e-library for the school, some provided water projects and toilet facilities. Others are equally enhancing the sport facilities in the school. We also do assessment projects to reward the best students, and performing staff in the school,” he said.

However, Ekiyoyo noted that other projects the ’93 Set intends to do include renovation works in the school, and providing needed new structures to help the School maintain its status quo as it gears up to celebrate its 50 years anniversary next year, 2024.

Also Speaking, the President of the general association of the Ikorodu Government College Alumni, Ademola Somide in his speech, extolled the efforts of the ’93 Set of the College and urged them to do more for the betterment of the alma mater.

“Today is another important milestone in our delivery to our alma mater. This is not the first time we are launching projects in the school. We opened a library and another Set also launched an e-library. I see it as one of the real objectives of our existence so that the students can benefit and learn.”

Somide who said he belongs to the third set in the school; that is 1976 noted that the school structure was new back then when they were admitted, adding that some number of the first built structures have lost their strength and are dilapidated. He mentioned that the effort of the Alumni to do a facelift of some of the structures is in line with a give back initiative by the old students who are now well positioned in the society. “While we go ahead to support the school. We also urge the government to add up to it, ” noted Somide.