St. Bernardine’s Grammar School Alumni commissions new projects as FG promises 3-classrooms block, 2-VIP toilets
By Abolaji Adebayo
St. Bernardine’s Grammar School Old Students Association (SBOSA), Oyo has commissioned new projects of millions of naira for the development of the school.
The projects include renovation of blocks of classrooms, rebuilding of toilets, and renovation of administrative offices as well as creation of an Alumni Relations Office within the school.
Speaking during the two-day maiden convention of the school alumni, the SBOSA President, Bldr. Bayo Adelakun said the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Abuja has also promised to construct a block of 3-classrooms with 2-VIP toilets for the school.
Highlighting the achievement of his administration since he took over barely eight months ago, Adelakun said: “Few years ago, this association was a tiny and struggling one, typical of any upcoming association. Today, our old students and scholars cover the globe in their search for knowledge, fame and wealth and their contributions make a difference everywhere. St. Bernadine’s Grammar School unlike others is a living institution whose prayers were answered by God as several generations of students have passed through her and who were impacted with knowledge, some of whom have contributed and paid back in full measure towards the development of the school. Your contribution to the school is sine qua non to the growth and development as well as the goodwill we presently enjoy.
“Distinguished Alumni, permit me to remind you of our promises during my inaugural speech as the in-coming president of SBOSA. We emphasized that during our term; we intend to consolidate on what the previous administration has started and at the end achieve the following: Improve on the welfare process of the association and ensure that members are constantly in touch; Complete all projects of the association; Improve on the communication channels; Strengthening the membership campaign by instituting alumni association at each states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory; Creation of a permanent website for the St Bernardines Grammar School Alumni; Career talks to students of the school; Creation of an Alumni Relations Office within the school. The executives will try to create an Alumni Office where we can meet and conduct business with our alumni and friends; Empowerment programmes for all alumni.
“To the glory of God within the first year of our administration we have achieved many things including strengthening the communication channels and we also ensure that there is a close connection with the older generations’ alumni and the new alumni.
“The administration has also completed all the projects of the last administration; an example is the toilet for the use of the students. Similarly, our administration also renovated the abandoned toilet located towards the North-West of the school.
“Our administration also held career talks to the students of the school so as to ensure they toll the right career path.
“The administration has also created an Alumni Relations Office within the school which will be commissioned today and the office will serve as a one stop shop where we can meet and conduct business of our alumni association.
“In addition, To the Glory of God Almighty, we have also used our influence to gain an award for the construction of a block of 3-classrooms with 2-VIP toilets to be funded by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Abuja through a very well meaning Nigerian from this town, where the construction process shall commence in earnest.
“Also, to the glory of God during our administration two sets, first, the 1975-1980 set renovated and furnished a block of classrooms and offices, and second, the 1988-1994 set renovated the Oguntokun’s building to mark their 25th year graduation anniversary. Other sets have also being contacted and there is plan by each set to also do same.
“Our administration will continue to operate with the mandate that you have given us and we shall not disappoint you. Particularly, we also demand that you continue to support and put us in your prayers so that our school can be compared among the comity of secondary schools in Nigeria and beyond.”
Also speaking, the Coordinator of 1998 set, Engr. Daud Salam promised that his set has also marked some projects to be executed by the members of his set in the year 2020 which according to him may include setting up of new state-of-the-art Library, ICT, and Water projects for the school.
