The 1995/2001 set of Ekiti State Government College, Ado-Ekiti, formerly Unity Secondary School, has donated tables and benches to their school’s dining hall to improve students’ welfare and create a more conducive learning environment.
The donation, comprising 40 chairs and 20 long tables, formed part of activities marking the set’s 25th anniversary of leaving the institution.
Speaking at the ceremony held in the school, President of the set, Comrade Markus Adeoye, said the intervention was motivated by the need to address the challenges students faced while using the dining hall, particularly the shortage of furniture that compelled them to eat in batches.
Adeoye explained that the situation disrupted the students’ schedules and affected the time available for academic activities, making it necessary for the alumni to provide a lasting solution.
The set president described the intervention as a demonstration of gratitude to the institution and an opportunity to contribute to the welfare of current students, urging them to remain focused and determined in pursuing their ambitions.
According to him, the students should see the achievements of the alumni as evidence that their present circumstances do not determine their future.
His words, “We graduated from this school 25 years ago, and we felt it was highly expedient and important to give back to our alma mater.
“We learnt that one of the major challenges the students were facing was the lack of enough chairs and tables in the dining hall. They had to eat in batches, which affected their academic periods.
“We therefore decided to provide 40 chairs and 20 long tables so that the students could enjoy greater convenience whenever they came to the dining hall.
“Twenty-five years ago, we were just like them. Today, we can look back and appreciate how far we have come. I want them to keep their heads up, remain focused and determined, and never allow peer-group pressure to distract them from their goals”.
Also speaking, the National President of the Alumni Association, Olalekan Olowo hailed 201 set for their commitment to the school’s development.
Olowo, represented by the National Vice President of the Alumni and member of the 1993 set, Abiodun Akanle, recalled that the 2001 set had previously renovated the school’s health centre in 2019, describing the latest donation as another demonstration of its dedication to improving the welfare of students.
“The 2001 set is one of the fantastic sets we have here. In 2019, they came here and renovated the health centre. Their presence is always felt and we appreciate them for this initiative.
“We want to say kudos to you and wish you greater heights in all your endeavours”. he added
The 1995/2001 Emeritus President, Tope Adigun, used the occasion to recount the institution’s historical evolution, highlighting its significance in the educational development of the state.
Adigun explained that the school was originally established as a Divisional Teacher Training College before it was renamed Unity Secondary School on September 6, 1985 and later became Ekiti Government College in December, 1997, following the creation of Ekiti State in 1996.
He noted that members of the 1995/2001 set had witnessed part of this transition, making their return to the institution for the silver jubilee particularly significant.
One of the alumni, Temitope Dada encouraged the students to embrace mentorship by seeking guidance from people with greater knowledge and experience.
Dada urged the students to remain teachable, stressing that learning from those who had acquired experience in their respective fields could help them make better decisions and prepare for future responsibilities.
Similarly, Dr Peter Boluwaji advised the students to be ambitious, practical and determined in their pursuit of success.
He urged them not to allow their family backgrounds or present circumstances to limit their aspirations, encouraging them to remain steadfast in working towards their goals.
In her remarks, the school’s Principal, Theresa Fajana expressed delight at the alumni’s return, describing the donation as a timely intervention that had addressed a major challenge confronting the institution.
Fajana said she was particularly pleased that the old students had responded to a problem that had affected the smooth running of the school’s daily activities.
She explained that the shortage of furniture in the dining hall had forced the school to organise meals in batches, stressing that the arrangement created difficulties in managing the students’ schedules and affected the efficient use of academic periods.
The principal described the 1995/2001 set as a valuable asset to the school, noting that its contributions extended beyond the latest donation to earlier interventions, including the renovation of the health centre.
She urged the students to learn from the alumni’s achievements and strive to become responsible individuals who would contribute meaningfully to society.
