A new national executives that will pilot the affairs of Islamic High School Old Students Association, Orita Basorun, Ibadan for the next two years have been inaugurated.
Our correspondent recalls that the members of the national executive were elected in December last year.
The inauguration took place during the bi-annual convention of the association.
The event was held within the premises of the school on Saturday.
The eight-man national executives inaugurated are a lecturer from Lead City University, Ibadan, Dr. Bayonle Busari, (National President) Lateef Adesina (Vice President) and Muftau Olaniyi Zubair (General Secretary).
Others are Omowumi Emmanuel (Assistant General Secretary), Olubisi Abiola Davies Ojo (Public Relations Officer), Ismaila Oyebayo Bello (Treasurer), Quadri Olorunseun Ishola (Financial Secretary) and Nafisat Yetunde Adejumo (Welfare Officer).
Busari, in his acceptance speech, explained that the task before the new executives is enormous but achievable.
He added that the new executives shall make efforts to sustain the laudable developmental programmes embarked up by previous past administrations.
‘I stand before you today to lead a team of newly elected National officers that will pilot the affairs of our Association for the next two years. I am not in doubt that the task before us is enormous but achievable. The stake is high, just as the expectation is challenging.
“Since our election and now we have had consultations and the encouragement that we have received is an elixir, signaling that we are not alone in carrying the torch of further development of our Alma mater and taking the school to a greater height.
“In the run up to the national delegate election, we made certain commitments towards the uplift of our school. I want to assure you that we will stand by all that we said. However, let me put it on record that we can not do it alone. I crave our indulgence and call on all of us to heed our call whenever the need arises, especially in the area of project identification and execution.
“Not only this, there is a need to synergise the execution of projects that the various Sets from our school may want to embark upon. In the light of this, we will liaise with the school management and other stakeholders in prioritising the needs of the school while IHSOSA will remain the clearing house for the execution of such projects.
“The new Executive Committee shall make efforts to sustain the laudable developmental programmes embarked up by previous past administrations. We will also renew our efforts towards the completion of pacesetting stride, made by the outgoing Executive Committee, on the L.A.B. Adigun Alumni Centre project. It is our hope that the project will take off within the 1st quarter of 2024. The same energy shall be deployed to actualise the dream of the Information and Communication Technology Centre in due course.
“One other priority area shall be the proposed educational development project in conjunction with the Islamic Missionary Society (IMS). We will soon announce names of committees and their membership to work together with IMS to actualise this proposal.
“We will also set machinery in motion for the earliest passage of the Constitution of IHSOSA, which is undergoing amendment. Also, in due course, there is going to be a reconstitution of various Committees for effective and efficient discharge of our activities. In the area of bringing more Alumni into the family fold, we will make efforts to encourage and attract full participation and attendance of meetings by members of each Set in the activities of IHSOSA.
“We will make an effort to strengthen the various Sets, especially those that are yet to fully find their feet, and the stabilisation of our National meetings. We will ensure that our meetings are more focused, robust, and impactful. We will also expand the scope of participation through the life streaming of our National meetings, as previously done by our predecessors. We will spare no effort to institutionalise the Distinguished Alumni lecture, Alumni Week, and Founder’s Day and make these fora points of attraction to all members and avenues to socialise and share ideas.
“We intend to strengthen and sustain the scholarship programme already in existence for our indigent students. The school library will be supported by the Association to assist our students and teachers have access to educational resources that will make leaning fun and interesting to them. We are going to liaise with critical stakeholders to ensure the posting of quality teachers and N.Y.S.C. members to complement the staff strength of the school. The environment of the school shall also be given a face lift to make the school attractive and conducive to teaching and learning. Not only this, all past leadership of the Association will be accorded due recognition in a Hall Fame to be established soon.
“I have listened to the various calls and messages that have been put across to us since our election, particularly on the amount payable as annual dues by each set. We have taken notice of the concerns expressed, and I want to implore us that where there is a will, there will always be a way. We should not be discouraged by the amount as this contribution may pale into insignificance in the face of the amount of money needed to meet the various needs of our Alma mater.
“Let me also reiterate it that the welfare of all alumni, without discrimination, shall receive our utmost attention. The same will go for all members of staff and students of our great school. Permit me to end my speech with this borrowed passage from one of Chinua Achebe’s novels:
“A man who calls his kinsmen to a feast does not do so to redeem them from starving. They all have food in their own houses. When we gather in the moonlight at the village ground, it is not because of the moon. Every man can see it in his own compound. We come together because it is good for kinsmen to do so. Therefore, let us continue with the team spirit and enjoy the power of togetherness. Let’s smile not because we don’t have problems but because we are stronger than the problems.
“Alone, I can smile, but together, we can laugh. Alone I can enjoy but together we can celebrate. Alone I can talk but together we can speak. Let’s promote things that unite us more than things that cause disunity. Unity is Great Strength. Everyone is important according to their own unique purpose.
“On behalf of the new Executive Committee, I thank all those who have worked tirelessly, day and night, to ensure the success of today’s event. I thank our Baba, the Emeritus president of IHSOSA, Alh. LAB Adigun for creating the time, despite his old age, to travel down from Lagos to witness today’s event. Ayò yin yóò dalé. I equally thank all stakeholders, elders, and leaders who are present here today for the sustained interest in the affairs of our Alma mater. I pray Almighty Allah continues to shower us with His blessings. Thank you and God bless.”
