Ilesa Grammar School Old Students Association Chides Osun Government For Renaming School

The Ilesa Grammar School Old Students’ Association (ILEGOSA) has frowned at what it described as an abysmal neglect of the association’s stand on the renaming of the school by the Osun State Government.

According to the statement by  Temitayo Odeyemi, National Publicity & Mobilisation Secretary of ILEGSOSA – Ilesa Grammar School Old Students Association, the old students of “Ilesa Grammar School” are not in tandem with government’s decision to rename the school in line with its new education policy.

Restating that it had warned the government of doing such, it said renaming the school is an aberration of the dream of its founding fathers as well as discredit its efforts in ensuring that the school continues in the standard it was established.

ILEGSOSA said although it appreciates government’s efforts to name a magnificent structure after the new title, it disassociated itself from attending the ceremony billed for next Tuesday.

Read the full statement below:

The Ilesa Grammar School Old Students’ Association (ILEGSOSA) acknowledges receipt of a letter from the Osun State Government, through the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, inviting the body of Old Students Association of Ilesa Grammar School as ‘Guests of Honour’ to the opening ceremony of one ‘Ilesa Government High School, Ilesa’ on 24th October, 2017. The National Executive Committee of ILEGSOSA has met to deliberate on the matter and we wish to respond as follows:
1. That the Alumni Association appreciates the State Government for finding it worthy to recognise the body of Old Students who not only take pride in the legacies of their Alma matter, but have also contributed immensely to its advancement through several means over the course of several decades.
2. That the decision to proceed with activities relating to the ‘Ilesa Government High School, Ilesa’ project is in clear disregard of all our efforts and entreaties over the last four years to convince the Government to retain the name of the school irrespective of whatever policy or measures the Government considers fitting to raise standards.
3. That the actions of the State Government, in unambiguous terms, demonstrate calculated attempts by forces who are alien to our culture, to obliterate the memory of the efforts of our esteemed founding fathers, whose spirited efforts in community development speak very loudly in the name ‘Ilesa Grammar School’.
4. That the title ‘Ilesa Government High School, Ilesa’ (to refer to our precious Alma matter, Ilesa Grammar School) only exists in the imagination of its promoters, and will continue to do so, in the time being.
5. That while individual Old Students are free to attend any opening ceremony whatsoever in their private capacities and in accordance with their constitutional rights as free citizens, the Ilesa Grammar School Old Students’ Association as a body of thousands of Old Students completely dissociate itself from the ceremony and all activities connected therewith.
6. That the body of ILEGSOSA will continue to pursue means it considers appropriate, in the circumstances, towards redeeming the sanctity of our common heritage which, in any case, is bigger than any political or family affiliation whatsoever.
7. That ILEGSOSA NEC appreciates all stakeholders who believe in the struggle and have contributed in one way or the other to its sustenance.
Thank you.