SOSAHIB president: Old students should tackle education challenges

The National President of Baptist High School, Iwo Old Students Association (SOSAHIB), Franklin Akinola, says constant interventions by old students are needed to tackle the challenges bedevilling the education sector in Osun State and Nigeria at large.

Speaking at the weekend on activities lined up to mark the 70th anniversary of the school, Akinola stressed the need for what he described as robust synergy between the Osun State Government and education stakeholders to address the “poor standard” of education in the state.

For a vast improvement in education, Akinola said old students have a huge role to play “because the government alone cannot handle the education sector”.

The SOSAHIB president added that the common practice in the contemporary world is for stakeholders, including old students and bodies of alumni, not to turn their back on their alma mater when they become successful in life.

He said: “It is a collective responsibility. There is little or no running cost from the government, the budget for education is nothing to write home about. Education is very key to our development.

“We therefore urge the government to allocate more funds to the education sector to address lingering problems. But beyond that, there should be a better system in place to ensure transparency and accountability.”

Governor approves package to retain teachers in rural areas

Akinola also advocated free education from primary level to senior secondary, saying Osun State and the country should prioritise their resources and give more to education.

Speaking on the anniversary, Akinola said: “It is going to be a reunion and an avenue to relive old memories when the old students of Baptist High School, Iwo, Osun State, converge to celebrate the 70th anniversary of their alma mater.

“The school was founded on February 2, 1955. Thus, the old students, under the auspices of SOSAHIB, are gearing up for what promises to be a scintillating celebration.”

The SOSAHIB leader noted that the old students were inspired to celebrate the 70th anniversary, which he described as significant because the school shaped them and contributed to their successes.

Akinola said the event would run for four days starting on Thursday, January 30, with a roadshow to create awareness in Iwo, followed by a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor of Bowen University and the monarch of Iwo.

“On Friday, there will be an anniversary lecture: ‘Baptist High School, Iwo: A Legacy in Question and a Future to Intervene’, to be delivered by Prof. Amos Oyesoji Aremu,” he disclosed.

Akinola stated that after the lecture, there would be a Jumat service at the central mosque which would be followed by a novelty match.

Akinola added: “On Saturday, February 1, we will commission several projects. Later in the day, we will have an award ceremony and fundraising luncheon, where we will institute an endowment fund for the school.

“We are rounding off on Sunday, February 2, with a thanksgiving service at Zion Baptist Church. Thereafter, we will have our departure.”

The Star