The old students of St Annes School, Ibadan, under the auspices of the Seminary-St Annes’ School Old Girls Association (SSASOGA), have inaugurated new executive members for the association.
The association, on Saturday in Ibadan, also seized the opportunity to seek support from its members and the government to further develop the school.
The outgoing president of SSASOGA, Mrs Similola Onabanjo, in her speech, appreciated her husband, the association, the school, and the government for supporting her and her executive members in developing the school than they met it four years ago.
Onabanjo listed and appreciated some of the association members who donated solar electricity systems, generators, boreholes, classroom blocks, furniture and other equipment to the school and the association.
She added that to further develop the school, unity, understanding, and collaboration are needed from the members, especially the incoming executive members.
“There is so much to be done in SSASOGA that I would like you to forget the past. We have come this far. What we have done is a scratch of the surface compared to what needs to be done,” Onabanjo said.
She told the incoming executives that they are bound to make mistakes, but that does not mean they will not find favour in the sight of God, assuring them that the association will rejoice more at the end of their tenure.
During the induction of the new executives, Onabanjo swore in the new president of SSASOGA, Mrs Olufunmilayo Kehinde. Mrs Kehinde later swore in the other 13 new executive members.
The other 13 new executives were Mr Olubukola Odumeru, national vice president 1; Mrs Felica Iyabo Stephen, national vice president 2; Mrs Enitan Adegbite, national vice president 3; Mrs Gbemi Adepoju, national social secretary; Mrs Tope Talabi, national treasurer; Mrs Bukunmi Afini Mormah, national secretary general; and Mrs Abiola Otaniyi, national financial secretary.
Other included Mrs Abiade Abiola, national youth coordinator; Mrs Ebun Amaji, national welfare secretary; Mrs Odejoke-Maxwell Ibidun, national assistant financial secretary; Mrs Bolawa Adeosho, national students’ welfare secretary; Honourable Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile, national legal adviser, and Mrs Tolulope Fagbamila, national publicity secretary.
In her address, the new president of the association, Mrs Kehinde, thanked the outgoing president and the other outgoing executive members for giving them a solid foundation to work on.
“We will continue with what is already on the ground, and the important of them all is the education of the girl child so that we will raise godly leaders and great wives,” she said.
Kehinde stressed the importance of teamwork and dedication to the tasks before them, adding that with the help of the association and the financial support of its members, they will deliver on their mandates.
The husband of the outgoing president, Mr Oladipo Onabanjo, enjoined the new executives to stay focused in the face of the daunting tasks ahead of them.
Mr Onabanjo encouraged them to invest their time, energy and treasure in the development of the school and association, assuring them that he would continue to support the association just the way he did when his wife was their president.
The Permanent Secretary of the Oyo State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Mr K. O. Babajide, represented the Executive Chairman of the commission. With him were the chairperson of ACOPPS IBSE, Mrs Alabi Oyedoyin; and the local inspector of education, Ibadan South West, Mrs Awowoyin Oyeleye.
Babajide stressed that by educating the girl child, SSASOGA is helping to develop the state and the country at large. He added that the government only cannot fund education and that what the St Annes old girls are doing pleases the government and the school.
Also present at the event were Professor Bolanle Awe, Professor Bisi Sowunmi, Mrs Tolu Aroloye, other prominent members of the association, some staff and students of the school, and Bishop Adekola Oladale of Abundant Grace Chapel Inc.
