By Isaac Oseni

  The 81 Class Set of Oke-Ona Grammar School Abeokuta, Old Students Association (OGSOSA) that produced the likes of Chief of Staff to Ogun State Governor, Alhaji Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, has celebrated their 40 years of graduating from the School with donation 400 copies of textbooks that cut across all subjects for the use of the students, payment of year 2021 West African Examnation Council fees for 40 indigent students, Cash rewards and recognition Award for four outstanding teachers who had impacted their lives during their school days.

   Speaking during the presentation and unveiling of the 400 books at the school premises, Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Abayomi Arigbabu, who applauded the '81 Class Set for the uncommon gesture towards the development of their alma mater, called on all other old students, as well as public spirited individuals come up with initiatives that would complement the present administration’s commitment of providing affordable and qualitative education in all the Schools.

    “This donation and other presentations by this Class Set to their alma mater is a welcome initiative and the State government is indeed proud of the Old students.The textbooks donated by the group are for subjects such as Mathematics, English, Physics, Chemistry, Economics and other relevant subjects that would be required by our young students to gain admission into tertiary institutions of learning” he submitted.

      Earlier in her welcome charge, the '81 Class Set Chairperson, Chief Mrs. Omolara Ariori disclosed that the group was formed in the year 2017 ,under the umbrella of OGSOSA Worldwide to give back to their alma mater, noting that the Class of '81 Set had executed two projects in year 2018 and 2019 respectively.

    Mrs Ariori added that the group have also provided a-100 unit of Class desks, Sporting equipment and their accessories, Cash rewards and award recognition to  three Outstanding students in the year 2019 WAEC, and had organized series of Career talks for students in the Accounting and Engineering Courses.

  "Our 40th reunion anniversary is laced with a lot of packages for our young ones to excel, we would be paying for 2021 WAEC fees of 40 indigent students of the school, we equally plan to equip the the school library with about 400 copies of textbooks which cut across all subjects from JSS1 to SS3 classes.

  “Also, we would be giving out honorary recognitions and cash gifts to four of our teachers during our time at the school" Mrs Ariori submitted.

   Giving his remark at the event, Alhaji Shuaib Salisu, who appreciated God for his benevolence and divine protection on the Class Set for 40years, maintained that the award recognition to the teachers was put together to motivate the current teachers of the School towards giving their best to the students for improved academic excellence, saying the gesture would be extended to other teachers that are still alive who also taught the Class Set.

  Alh.Salisu, who emphasized on the unity and commitment of the group as a driving force towards their alma mater development, urged the students to re-dedicate themselves to their studies, respect their teachers and should at all times exemplify good traits that would distinct them from the crowd, maintaining that they are proud inheritors of the school sound academic feats, assuring the group's continued support towards  the development of the School.

  Speaking shortly after the presentation of the books, the Principal of the School, Mrs Olopade Felicia who described the return of the '81 Set to the School as worthwhile and remarkable, reiterated that government can do it all alone, calling on other Old Students groups to emulate the 81 Class set of OGSOSA.

Other dignitaries that graced the occasion include, Ogun State Commissioner for Information and Stategy, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Odusile, Chairman, House Committee on Transportation, Hon. Daisi Elemide, Executive Chairman,Odeda Local Government, Hon. Folasade Adeyemo, and her Abeokuta North local government counterpart, Hon. Adebayo Ayorinde and the Legislative leader of Odeda local government, Hon. Rotimi Adeyemi among others.