The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has pledged to support infrastructure development and other educational programmes in schools across Oyo town, particularly Oliveth Baptist High School.
The monarch made the pledge on Sunday during a fundraising ceremony and thanksgiving service marking the 50th anniversary of the 1972–1976 set of the school’s old students’ association. The event was held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
He commended the old students for giving back to their alma mater, saying responsibility for running schools should not rest solely on the government.
The Alaafin said, “I want to appreciate you for the good works that you are doing by giving back to the school that made you who you are today. You are building on the good legacies of the founding fathers and the various principals who had presided over the affairs of the school in the past.
“I am assuring you of my support for every one of your programmes that are aimed at raising the standard of education in the school. Let me also pledge my support to the various programmes of schools across Oyo town.”
Also speaking, Chief Wale Babalakin stressed the need for different sets of old students to work together to achieve the school’s development goals.
Commenting on the 1972–1976 set’s plan to take over the management of the school, Babalakin said its administration should not be left solely to the government or the mission.
He said, “The Mission will be doing commerce with the running of the school. This will not augur well for its all-round development.”
Earlier, the president of the 1972–1976 set, Adeoye Mapederun, said the association would complement the government’s efforts to restore the school to its former glory.
He spoke at the unveiling of renovated classrooms at the school in Oyo, disclosing that nearly N10m was spent on renovating a block of three classrooms.
Mapederun said the renovation was part of the association’s efforts to improve the school’s facilities and create a conducive learning environment for students.
“We found that this particular block was totally in disrepair. There was no roof, no windows, no blackboard, nothing. So, we decided to start with these three classrooms to ensure that we brought them up to standard,” he said.
He added that the renovation included the installation of ceiling fans and the provision of other facilities to make the classrooms more comfortable.
Mapederun said the expenditure was slightly below N10m, describing the project as the beginning of the set’s planned interventions at the school.
He disclosed that the old students intended to raise funds for further projects, noting that another classroom block on the premises was also in a deplorable condition.
The president said the project was being undertaken alongside interventions by the national body of the old students’ association, adding that members of the set remained committed to the school’s development.
Explaining the motivation behind the intervention, Mapederun said the old students wanted to give back in appreciation of the quality of education and facilities available during their time at the school.
“When we came to this school about 50 years ago, everything was working. We had the best of education and the best environment. Everything you could talk about was in place,” he said.
He lamented the deterioration of the school’s facilities since then, arguing that government intervention alone might not be enough to address its challenges.
Mapederun also disclosed that the national body of the Olivet old students’ association was considering taking over the school’s administration, subject to its ability to raise sufficient funds to sustain the plan.