By Ebele Orakpo 

Worried by the current brain drain or Japa syndrome and its negative impact on the nation, the Abeokuta Grammar School Old Boys’ Association, AGSOBA, will be spending quality time to discuss and lead advocacy on this phenomenon popularly called the Japa syndrome, during its 116th Founder’s Day Anniversary.

According to a release made available to Vanguard, the Global Publicity Secretary of AGSOBA, Tosin Adesile, noted that the anniversary which began on Monday, 15^th July, will end on Sunday, 21st July, 2024 in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The seven-day event with the theme: Brain Drain & Its Impact on the society, will feature an anniversary lecture on the theme of the celebration to be delivered by the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Professor Olusola Kehinde, tomorrow, July 17,2024. After the lecture, the alumni association will commission a couple of projects, recognise outstanding Old Boys, induct the latest set of graduating students into the AGSOBA family as well as hold her Annual General Meeting to elect new leaders.

Speaking on the program of events, President-General of AGSOBA and Executive Director, Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, ANED, Chief Sunday Oduntan, expressed joy at the pride of place occupied by Abeokuta Grammar School, AGS, amongst the comity of legacy schools in the country. Oduntan said the alumni’s efforts at making sure AGS remained the pride of all by continually contributing her resources to the growth and development of the school is non-negotiable.

“Our school has continued to maintain the lead in academics as well as in various extra-curricular endeavours. Over the course of 116 years, the school has delivered matchless excellence in academics, sports and even arts. We have produced some of the finest names across the Nigerian and indeed global space. This is our legacy, this is our heritage of which we are proud of,” he said. 

Oduntan thanked all old boys, home and abroad, for their unflinching support in building the school particularly the building of a new hall to support learning in the school.

“From North America to the UK and Ireland; from Lagos to Abeokuta and Ibadan, we have gotten a strong alumni base that has continually given their finances to keep the school on the path of academic excellence.”

Apart from the anniversary lecture, other activities include a valedictory service and call to AGSOBA, Staff appreciation dinner, a social Variety Night and the Annual General Meeting where new executives will be elected and an award/dinner night. Various projects in the school would be commissioned while special Jumaat and Thanksgiving services will follow.

AGS established in 1908 in Abeokuta, has produced a long list of distinguished old students in all walks of life.

They include the late Oba Oyebade Lipede, the late Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedapo Tejuosho, the Osile of Oke Ona Egba; Afrobeat legend and activist, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, his brothers, legendary paediatrician, Professor Olikoye Ransome-Kuti and the academic, Dr. Beko Kuti; Professor Olufemi Peters, Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria; Mr. Tunde Kelani, legendary filmmaker; Retd Air Vice-Marshal Al-Amin Daggash, former Chief of Defence Staff; Hon. Lanre Laoshe, former member, Federal House of Representatives; Daniel Anidugbe aka Kizz Daniel, popular Afrobeat artiste, amongst others.