By Dada Ahmed.
Ordinarily, anniversary is the annual recurrence of a date marking a notable event in the life of an individual or organisation. However, while the event may not mean much to many, the manner in which it is celebrated make it much more indelible in minds for many years.
The recent celebration of 45th anniversary of Gss Afon in Kwara state by the old students of the school lays credence to this assertion. More importantly, those concerned say it serves as a collective resolve of a group of people in demonstrating uncommon attitude towards an educational institution that laid solid foundation for their enviable position and the impact they are making in the society.
It may sound odd to see old students of secondary school in Nigeria, many of who are highly placed, and making great impact to the social, economic and political development of the country to display extraordinary humility in authority and perhaps, humble in affluence, for the cause of their alma mater.
Quite contrary to this school of thought, the old students of Gss Afon, the first secondary school to be established in Asa Local Governnent Area of Kwara state way back in 1976, displayed uncommon attitude recently when they pulle down their agbada,kaftan and english wears and the ladies jettisoned head gears,and other wears in preference for adorning in school uniform of shirt and trouser for the men and sketch and blouse for the ladies. The blue and white attire was a reminiscent of the school days which made them look like “sweet 16” or “young boys”.
These responsible Nigerians, many of them in their 40s,50s and early 60s, were at the school they left almost 40 years ago to pay back to the school that laid solid foundation for their enviable heights in the society.To
them, appearing in such attire is a further confirmation that they are not just proud products of Gss Afon, but in keeping to their promise “not to make its name go rot” they stand in consonance with the principle of their school anthem and for the fun of it.
Some of the old students found in such a rare appearance include;professors, legal luminaries, directors, security experts, technicrats,businessmen and women down the ladder of positions of responsibility in public and private sectors of the nation’s economy.
The old students described the anniversary as a unique opportunity to see other mates whom they have not seen close to 40 years to share thoughts,ideas for good and to also appreciate God almighty for the long life and protection as well strengthen relationship to boost the unity of the state and the country at large..
Others believe that the event enhances their resolve to further champion the cause of the 46-year-old school.
The programme was full of warm embracement,hugging, calling nicknames,jokes, exchange of pleasantry, and expression of nostalgic feelings about the school by the old students who came from many states of the federation,the FCT and US to witness the well organised event.
Gss Afon was established in 1976 by the regime of Maj.-Gen. George Agbazika Innih in response to the increased number of pupils leaving primary school then with burning desire to receive secondary school educatuon as a platform toward fulfilling higher educational aspirations.
The anniversary was also an occasion to commission projects executed by the old students to enhance the physical infrastructure and esthetic value of Gss Afon as well as reunionise to enable them help their alma mater much better and boost relationships.
The old students, among who are professors, medical doctors, businessmen and women, politicians, top civil servants technicrats, clad in school uniform, cruised in a convoy to Afon and were accorded warm reception by the students of the school with display of the rich cultural heritage of the people of the area.
The old students responded with hot dancing steps to melodious songs provided by DJ, a development that electrified the school premises to an almost uncontrollable happy mood while it lasted.
At a session where the old students robbed mind with the management of the school on the way forward for the school in many ramifications, the pioneer principal, Chief Solomon Aboyeji and the current one at the helm of educational institution commended the old students for paying back to their alma mater in a tremendous way.
The duo urged the old students not to relent efforts, adding that the school needed more grounds to cover in meeting the standard obtainable in other secondary schools in the state.
The old students were ushered into the football field, where they raced gleefully to cheer athletes competing laurels in the school inter house competition.
At the end of the one hour competition, Blue house emerged champion, followed by Red house, trailed behind by Yellow house and down to Green house.The winners and loosers were seen engaged in a joyous mood hugging one another.
Earlier,the old students had tackled the current students in a novelty match which ended in a goaless draw.
The pioneer principal of the school, Chief Solomon Aboyeji, the current principal,Alhaja Kalejaiye and other important dignitaries,who graced the occasion were seen nodding heads in admiration of performance of the athletes maximising their sporting talents for victory.
The grand finale of the anniversary which came up at the Kwara Hotel Hall, Ilorin, saw one of the old students of the school, Prof. Suleiman Folounsho Ambali,displaying the stuff he is made of in academics, in a paper he delivered entitled,”Curbing Moral And Academic Decadence In Public Secondary Schools- The Role Of Alumni Associations”.
The lecturer, reminded the alumni of Gss Afon that “Our alma mater needs urgent rejuvenation, repackaging, remodeling and reawakening for the benefit of the present and future generation of students,and even the entire society.”
He also reminded his fellow old students that, “The spirit of “Be led and to lead” which Gss Afon imbibed in us has been our guiding principle and provided the necessary impetus that has guided us to greatness.”
He expressed optimism that the competitive race, embarked upon by the old students of giving back to the alma mater, in a way would positively re-engineer Gss Afon to meeting its vision, mission and goals.
“It is imperative that more developmental projects will be achieved,if we break into syndicate groups,based on years of graduation,” he, however, advised.
Alhaji Yaqoob Mobolaji Abdurraq, Chairman, Executive council of Alumni Association of the school and the Chairman,Local Organising Committee of the event,Dr. Shittu Raji, had earlier said that the old students took the decision to host the event, to pay back to Gss Afon for the critical role it played for the realisation of their educational ambition and in paving way for other benefits for them and the society in general.
The energy-sapping but well-planned event came into seamless end with sumptuous dinner, fund raising,unveiling of Alumni Magazine/Album and presentation of awards.
The awardees include: the pioneer principal of the school, Chief Solomon Aboyeji, the second principal, Mr Debo Awotunde and Lawyer AbdulRazaq Akorede Shehu, while late Abdullahi and late Prince Adeyemi Bakare,who were old students of the school,received posthumous awards.
The occasion has earlier witnessed the commissioning of the school transforner by Engr.Bolakale Kawu and Physics laboratory in Afon by AVM Salami Raimi,who is an old student of Gss Afon and enrollment of 23 Alumni of the school, including two of their deceased members, cutting of anniversary cake, planting trees at the school compound and having meeting with opinion leaders of Afon,among others.
Every old student of Gss Afon that graced the anniversary expressed satisfaction over the successful outcome of the programne and commended the executive members of Alumi for a well organised anniversary.
They described the 45th of their alma mater it as a milestone event in the history of the efforts by them to pay back to the school that impacted so much on them and one educational institution, in their life,they vowed “not to make its go rot”.
The old students also expressed determination to do more for the school in the nearest future, as they parted ways on a happy note, saying that they could not wait to witness similar event soon.
One of the first set of the school, Alhaji Isiaka Ibrahim, in his reaction said:”No doubt, the event will remain a popular demand in the heart of all alumni members; whether present at the occasion or not. It looked cinematic to me, seeing my classmates and other schoolmates whom I had lost contact with for decades.
“The Annivasary/Reunion was a class of different memories which, to me, erased number of worries any alumnus might have brought to the venues where we all gathered and celebrated. Call it gathering of professionals, gathering of students (old or present),gathering of Friends, mates, meeting of Colleagues, array of Personalities or Competition and Assemblage of who is who in our Country, Nigeria.
” Whichever way you look at it, the answer you will get, if it comes in a form of question is an “A”.
The common interest, wishes and aspirations of members among other things, coupled with good leadership/organization was the secret of the successes recorded so far.
“While I await another opportunity to come, I besiege God to spare us in His mercy to witness many more of such in life.”
Dada Ahmed, pioneer graduate of Gss Afon, is a Journalist and a media consultant.
ahmeddada008@gmail.com.
