The Class of 2006 of Ebenezer Grammar School Old Students Association (EGSOSA), Abeokuta, has made a compelling case for increased collaboration between alumni associations and the government to elevate the standard of education in Nigeria.
The appeal was made during the association’s recent general meeting held at the school premises in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, on Saturday.
In his address, the President and Coordinator of EGSOSA ’06, Prince Usman Seriki, stressed the vital role that alumni associations play in the educational sector.
He reiterated that alumni associations should not only support their alma mater but also partner with the government to bring about meaningful changes in education across the country.
“Alumni associations must work with their schools and support the government to take education to a higher level in the country,” Seriki stated.
He further elaborated on the purpose of the Old Students Association, highlighting its dual role in fostering social interaction among members and contributing to the advancement of education.
According to him, the association provides a platform for members to support each other and their alma mater, which in turn benefits the nation as a whole.
“The Old Students Association exists primarily to foster interaction amongst these entities.
“The basic philosophy behind such an association is the development of a platform for mutual support socially, for their members, individually and collectively, and for the development of their alma maters and, by extension, the nation,” Seriki explained.
He emphasized the importance of giving back to the school, noting that such efforts help preserve the school’s legacy and encourage future generations to strive for academic excellence.
Seriki described the Old Students Association as an alternative means of funding education in Nigeria, acknowledging that the government alone cannot bear the entire burden.
“Giving back to the school is a great way of keeping the school’s legacy going and ensuring that future generations of students have the will to excel more in their academic pursuits,” he said.
“Old Students Association is an alternative means of funding the education sector in Nigeria.
“The government cannot do it alone. Giving scholarships to students of the alma mater and infrastructural development of facilities in the school are ways of funding education.”
Looking ahead, Seriki disclosed that the 2006 set of EGSOSA has plans to make significant contributions to the school, coinciding with their 20th anniversary in 2026.
The association has already identified key areas where they can assist and is working towards actualizing these goals.
“Today, we have gone round the school and we have identified areas of interest that we can assist the school with and we are working towards achieving it,” he noted.
Seriki also lamented the deteriorating state of the educational sector nationwide, calling for increased funding and better training for teachers to reverse the trend.
He urged alumni associations, civil society organizations, and other critical stakeholders to collaborate with the government in creating a more conducive educational environment.
“Similarly, there are challenges in the educational sector at all levels, from basic to tertiary levels, and it is our responsibility to address these situations—not just the government alone, but the alumni association, civil society organizations, and other critical stakeholders must work together towards a better educational environment,” Seriki added.
The Principal of Ebenezer Grammar School,simply identified as Mr. Adebo, who hosted the meeting along with the 1992/1993 and 2001 sets, lauded the contributions of the Old Students Association towards the school’s infrastructural development.
He encouraged other alumni sets that have yet to engage with the school to do so, stressing that the government cannot meet all the school’s needs on its own.
“Let me use this opportunity to commend the Old Students Association of Ebenezer Grammar School (National and individual sets) who have been contributing towards the development of the school in terms of infrastructure and other educational supports,” Adebo said. “I want to charge other sets who are yet to identify with the school to do so as the government alone cannot fill the void needed in the school. They should rally round and see towards sustaining the legacy of the school.”
The event, attended by more than thirty (30) old students, was marked by familiarization, bonding, and joyous celebrations, as attendees reconnected and reminisced about their school days.
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