SMC Set 74 celebrates 50th anniversary, makes case for giving back to Alma mater.
The President of Stella Maris College (SMC) Okitipupa, 1974 Set, Dr. Bode Thani has charged old students to give back to their alma mater, noting that the best the alumni of schools can do is to keep the sweet memories of their old school days alive by giving back to the system that made them the success they have become. Dr. Thani made this call on Saturday during the 50th anniversary and reunion of the 1974 set of the school.
The old students used the occasion of their reunion to pay a courtesy visit on their first Geography teacher, HRM Oba G.B. Faduyile at his palace and presented award of honor to the foremost Ikale monarch.
The epochal event also featured an inter-class football competition between SS1 and SS2 students of the school; the SS1 students emerged as the overall winner of the football event. Prizes were given to the first, second, and third teams, respectively.
The 1974 set presented two new leather balls, jerseys, boots, and a brand new table tennis board to the school to support sporting activities.
In their bid to support their alma mater, students of the 1974 set have also taken up the responsibility of employing teachers for some core subjects in the school following the complaints raised by the School Principal, Mrs Oyepitan as regards the dearth of teachers for core subjects such as Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Chemistry.
The 1974 set pledged to pay the salaries of these teachers for a year.
Dr.Thani said, “In a way, we can’t separate our greatness from this school, and that is why we have deemed it fit to have a get-together 50 years after our graduation.
“We want to see what we can do to move the school forward because we know that the humongous challenges in the education sector should not be left to the government alone. We all should see it as a point of duty, especially as old students, to give back to this school that played significant roles in what we have become today.”
Dr. Omoyele Akinbamowo, the National President of the old students association, said, “The government can’t do everything. I want to commend the efforts of the sets that are celebrating this year. Both the old students and The Parent-Teachers Associations have roles to play in developing education in our society.”
Speaking during the occasion, the Principal of the school, Mrs. Oyepitan, said she was excited to see the great old students of the school returning to celebrate their oneness and the impact of the school on their lives.“I am so happy seeing this happening during my time. The projects you have donated are magnificent.”
Awards were given to all the 1974 members, who also gave certificates of honor and appreciation to some dignitaries who had impacted their lives in one way or another.
Present at the occasion were Chief Barrister Adetuyi of the 1966 set, Chief Rufus Akinmeji of the 1972 set, Mr. Omoyele Akinbamowo, the National President, Mr. Olowu Poroye, the National Secretary, and Pastor Oyibo Emmanuel, among others.
