It was a day of joy and nostalgia at Idogun High School, Idogun, in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, as the 1985 alumni set of the school, led by their president, Mr. Temijana Michael Olaniyi, donated 1,000 customised exercise books to current students. The gesture marked the 40th anniversary of their graduation from the school.

Mr. Temijana, a retired accountant from the Ondo State civil service, said the visit was a way for the group to give back to their alma mater and support the government’s efforts in improving educational standards.

“We felt the need to leave a mark and contribute meaningfully to the development of our former school,” he stated during an interaction with the school management.

Addressing the students, Mr. Temijana encouraged them to take their studies seriously, stressing that education remains the surest path to success. He also urged them to leverage the Idogun Development Association’s Computer Centre to acquire ICT skills, especially as the federal government plans to transition the WAEC examinations from paper-based to computer-based testing (CBT).

In support of the president’s remarks, another member of the ’85 set, Surveyor Gabriel Oyebola, and a former teacher of the set, Mr. Ajimuda Taiwo, who taught Commerce and Government in 1983, advised the students to be worthy ambassadors of the school and to remain focused on their academic journey.

The exercise books, which were specially branded for the occasion, were later distributed to all the students.

In his response, the school principal, Mr. Olawole Thomas, expressed gratitude to the alumni for their thoughtful contribution. He appealed to other graduating sets to emulate the 1985 set by giving back to the school.

Mr. Thomas also highlighted the school’s pressing needs, including inadequate infrastructure and the absence of an English Language teacher. He praised Barrister Omoolorun Modupe, a former Secretary to the Military Government and Head of Service in Ondo State, as well as Retired Navy Captain Jide Falade, for their personal efforts in employing private teachers for the school.

He concluded by calling on other well-meaning indigenes of Idogun to join in uplifting the school.