CMS Grammar School, Bariga marked its 164th anniversary on Tuesday with much fanfare and merry making.
Projects that signposted the anniversary included a 40,000- litre water processing plant for the use of the students and staff.
The weeklong activities which took place at the school premises in Barìga, featured Lectures, Career Talk, Speech/Prize Giving Day, Novelty Match, Founder’s Day Service, Commissioning of School Projects, Luncheon and Students Feast.
Old students of the oldest secondary school in Nigeria, who graduated 60 years ago were also celebrated
Mr Olu Vincent, President of the Old Grammarians Society ( OGS), Mr. Olu Vincent, noted in his address, that his administration achieved some modest successes which impacted positively on the performance of students of the school founded on June 6, 1859.
Apart from the 40,000 litre water project, Vincent mentioned the Sen. Gbenga Ashafa E-Resource Library and laying of the Optic fibre in the school.
He added that the ongoing Solar Power Project and the Computerisation Project will also add value to students’ learning when completed.
He commended the efforts of the Old students and encouraged them to do more in the drive to upgrade facilities in the school.
“We will require more support of Old Boys on these schemes.
“These are projects undertaken by the OGS UK, Europe and Americas; in the last four years. My greatest concern was to ensure that we build this and lay a sustainable working environment for the greatness of OGS, he said.
“I’m thanking God Almighty for these achievements and I appreciate members who gave me hope for leadership and massive votes for my second term in office,” he added.
The OGS President who also called for amendment of its constitution, said there was need to accelerate and complete the process which would be required for the legal backing of processes in place.
“Accounting processes, we have requested and obtained management report from the Auditor and presented to Central Executive Council (CEC) meeting to improve our processes, a legacy that we must maintain.
“Also, unveiling of OGS website, working relationship with proprietors of the school, effective communication with sets, chapters and branches as power must devolve to these various units.
“This is one of the cardinal objectives of the society, where the welfare of the boys can easily be addressed.
“Restoration of confidence in the leadership of CEC which can be evaluated with the multimillionaire naira projects in the school,” he added.
Chairman, Founder’s Day Committee 2023, Dr. Dipo Arigbede said the OGS will continue to support the school in the areas of infrastructure.
He stressed that the commissioning of the ICT Centre, Staff Room and project on Landscaping, courtesy of OGS made the 164th Founder’s Day a significant one.
“We will continue to sustain the tempo of our support as long as CMS Grammar School remains because this is an annual event that the OGS looks forward to and prepares to improve on records,” Arigbede added.
Principal of CMS Grammar School, Rev. Jacob Ogunyinka commended the 1993 celebrating set, adding that the support of OGS was commendable.