Osun State governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has assured that the state would create a standing government alumni partnership board at all levels of education.
The governor made the assurance during a courtesy call to his office by the Old Students Association of Ilesa Grammar School, as part of activities for its 90th anniversary in Osogbo.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the anniversary committee of the School, Dr Wale Bolorunduro said that the association had spent more than N1 billion on various intervention projects in the school.
Bolorunduro said that N500 million was spent on physical infrastructures by members of the association.
However, the governor said that the board would exist at local and state levels with a focus on harnessing developmental support from governmental and non-governmental sources for the development of the schools
“We must capitalise on the rich antecedents of our alumni associations to develop our education system.
“The partnership board when in place, will focus on project development, learning equipment, training support and welfare issues for the school community,” he said
He, however, said that the state government has limited funding capacity for education, hence the need for public-private partnership saying that non-governmental organisations were critical partners in school development
“Your school has produced so many dignitaries and top professionals. Your alumni are top leaders in the private and public sectors.
“In my government, your school has a significant presence within the State Executive Council.
“I must also commend your contributions to the growth of your alma mata. Public-private partnership is a major tool for society development.
“As the government has limited funding capacity, non-governmental groups become a critical partner in school development,” he said.
In his remarks, Bolorunduro maintained “We have had serious interventions by old students to return the Omoluabi ethos that binds us together, through various interventions since the school’s name was returned and premises returned for the objective of producing giants.”
He said that the association would continue to do its best to uplift the school to the desired standard in reproducing great legends such as Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God; retired Justice Alfa Belgore, a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, among others, who were members of the association.
Bolorunduro also said that the association would confer an award of Most Benevolent Leader in Nigeria on the governor at its grand finale on Saturday.
