By Ilemobayo Oguntusin
Efforts to harness renewed participation of youth in National discourse and prevention of Japa among our youths has received a boost as Abeokuta Grammar School Old Boys Association (AGSOBA), will be spending quality time to discuss and lead advocacy on this during its 115th Founder’s Day Anniversary of her alma mater from the 12th to the 16th of July, 2023 in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
According to a release Signed by Tosin Adesile, Global PRO, AGSOBA explained that the four-day event with the theme:
Theme: “Harnessing renewed youth participation in National Discourse for sustainable economic development and prevention of Japa among youths”
will see the alumni association commission a couple of projects, recognize outstanding Old Boys, induct the latest set of graduating students into the Agsoba family as well as hold her annual General Meeting to elect new leaders.
Speaking on the proposed programme of events, the association’s President-General, Agsoba (Chief) Sunday Oduntan, an Egba High Chief and Executive Director of the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors(ANED), expressed confidence at the pride of place of Abeokuta Grammar School amongst the comity of legacy schools in the country.
Oduntan said the Alumni’s effort at making sure Abeokuta Grammar School continued by being the pride of all by continually contributing her resources to the growth and development of the school is non-negotiable.
“Ours has continuedto maintain the lead in academics and competitions. Over the course of 115 years, the school has delivered matchless excellence in academics, sports and even arts. We have produced some of the finest names across the Nigerian and indeed global space. This is our legacy, this is our heritage of which we are well proud of,” he said.
Going further, Oduntan thanked all old boys home and abroad for their unflinching support in building the school.
“From North America to the UK and Ireland; From Lagos to Abeokuta and Ibadan, we have gotten a strong alumni base that has continually given their finances to keep the school on the path of academic excellence.”
The anniversary celebration will be heralded with a press conference on 12th July, 2023 chronicling the activities of the alumni and achievements of the current leadership in the last one year. Other activities include a Valedictory Service and Call to Agsoba, Staff Appreciation Dinner, Anniversary Lecture, a social Variety Night and the Annual General Meeting where new executives will be elected. Various projects in the school would be commissioned while an Anniversary Dinner rounds up proceedings. Special Jumaat and Thanksgiving Services at the Cathedral of St Peters Church, Ake,Abeokuta will make up the rest of the events.
Abeokuta Grammar School was established 115 years ago in Abeokuta and has produced a long list of distinguished old students including businessman, and traditional ruler, Oba Adedapo Tejuosho, the Osile of Oke Ona Egba; popular Afrobeat Singer, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, his brothers, legendary paediatrician Professor Olikoye Ransome-Kuti and Beko Anikulapo-Kuti; Professor Olufemi Peters, Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria; Mr Tunde Kelani, ace filmmaker; Retd Air Vice Marshal Al-Amin Daggash, former Chief of Defence Staff; Hon. Lanre Laoshe, former member, Federal House of Representatives; Daniel Anidugbe aka Kizz Daniel, popular afrobeat artist amongst others.