Ede Muslim Grammar School at 52: Alumni, Govt, Stakeholders Urged To Revive Institution

…As old Students Celebrate Legacy

…Seek Modern Facilities, Improved Learning Environment

Ede Muslim Grammar School has marked its 52nd anniversary and Founders’ Day with a renewed call on alumni, government and other stakeholders to intensify efforts to restore the institution’s former glory and improve its infrastructure and academic standards.

The anniversary celebration, held on Saturday, brought together old students, school administrators, community leaders and other stakeholders to celebrate the institution’s contributions to education and character development since its establishment in 1974.

Speaking at the event, the National President of the Ede Muslim Grammar School Old Students Association, Alhaji Rasaq Olatunde Bello, Esq., described the anniversary as an opportunity to reflect on the school’s history, honour its founders and mobilise support for its continued development.

Bello said the school, which commenced operations on October 24, 1974, had produced prominent Nigerians, including governors, ambassadors, legislators, medical professionals, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, academics, public servants and entrepreneurs who had distinguished themselves in various fields.

He paid tribute to the founding fathers and mothers of the institution, particularly the late Sheikh Ibrahim Dende Alabi Adekilekun, former Chief Imam of Ansarudeen of Edeland, praying for Allah’s forgiveness and eternal rest for the departed pioneers.

The association president also acknowledged Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, who served as the pioneer president of the old students association, for providing leadership and direction during its formative years.

According to Bello, the association opted for a special prayer session during the school’s 50th anniversary because extensive renovation work was ongoing at the time. He said the 52nd anniversary provided an opportunity for a more elaborate celebration of the school’s history, achievements and future prospects.

On efforts to reposition the institution, Bello said his administration had prioritised infrastructural renewal and the restoration of the school’s academic reputation.

He disclosed that the perimeter fencing project was about 90 per cent complete but had been delayed by ongoing litigation over alleged encroachment on portions of the school’s land.

Bello, however, identified renewed public interest in the institution, increased student enrolment, building renovations and contributions from alumni as encouraging signs of progress.

He disclosed that the 1982 graduating set had undertaken the complete reconstruction of the Senior Secondary School One classroom block, while the Yagboyaju family had provided and maintained the Yagboyaju Block.

Other alumni, he said, had donated chairs, computers and instructional materials, as well as renovated toilet facilities. The Rotary Club of Ede also provided tables and chairs for the school, with the project commissioned the previous week by the District Governor of Rotary District 9126.

The association president further celebrated distinguished alumni who had received appointments under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, including Ambassador Rafiu Adejare Bello, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Obafemi Awolowo University; Dr. Wakeel Lawal, Chief Medical Director of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi; and Ambassador Wahab Akande, Nigeria’s ambassador to Switzerland.

He also mentioned Barrister Mubarak Tijani Adekilekun, SAN, Barrister Asimiyu Oluwaseun Alao, SAN, and Professor Alimi Kajogbola, a former vice-chancellor of a private university in Offa, among the institution’s distinguished products.

Looking ahead, Bello called for support to rehabilitate more classroom blocks and laboratories, establish a modern information and communications technology centre, equip the school library and provide adequate furniture and teaching aids.

He also listed scholarships for indigent students, improved sporting facilities, rehabilitation of internal access roads and completion of the Parents-Teachers Association building project among the association’s priority areas.

Urging alumni to sustain their contributions, Bello noted that the institution’s Diamond Jubilee would be celebrated in 2034, expressing hope that the milestone would reflect greater achievements in infrastructure, academic excellence and student development.

He appreciated the association’s executive committee, the anniversary planning committee chaired by Alhaji Taofeek Kola Aluko, popularly known as Alagba, the school’s management and staff, former principals and teachers, and current students for their contributions to the celebration.

Bello also urged the students to remain disciplined, studious, respectful and God-fearing, stressing that the future of the institution depended on the collective commitment of its stakeholders.

“Ede Muslim Grammar School has given us much. It is now our collective responsibility to give back,” he said.

In his goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary of the Osun State Ministry of Education, Alhaji Murtadha Kehinde Jimoh Adekilekun, congratulated the association’s leadership for organising the anniversary and bringing former students together across different graduating sets.

“I congratulate you all for this reunion, from the first set of 1979 till the last set,” he said.

He described the reunion as an important avenue for strengthening relationships among alumni and called on them to support efforts to address hooliganism among current students.

The permanent secretary encouraged former students to visit the school regularly, interact with the students and guide them on the importance of discipline, responsible conduct and positive academic engagement.

Also speaking, Alhaji Tolib Asifat, identified as the school’s first senior prefect when it was founded in 1974, expressed gratitude to God for keeping him alive to witness the anniversary, noting that many of his contemporaries had passed away.

“I am very happy because many of us have died. I thank God that I am still alive,” he said.

Asifat commended the improvements to the school’s buildings and acknowledged Governor Adeleke’s efforts to renovate classrooms and enhance the institution’s appearance.

He urged the current students to draw inspiration from the achievements of former students who had risen to positions of leadership as governors and commissioners, as well as excelled in various professional fields.

“I implore them to imitate their seniors,” he said, encouraging the students to remain focused on their education and work towards becoming worthy ambassadors of the institution.