…Old Students Inaugurate First National Executive 40 Years After Unity High School’s Establishment
…New Exco Targets Toilets, Roofing, Furniture, Teaching Aids, Student Welfare
Ayomide Awe
The Old Students Association of Unity High School, Ago-Ika, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday inaugurated its first National Executive Council, nearly four decades after the establishment of the school.
The historic inauguration, held on the school premises, also rekindled memories of the late business mogul and philanthropist, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, who, according to the association’s maiden president, Mr Kabiru Ayinla, built the school after the government said it lacked funds to do so.
Ayinla, a member of the 1992 set, who emerged as the pioneer national president of the Unity High School, Ago-Ika, Old Students Association, popularly known as UNISOSA, pledged that his administration would mobilise former students in Nigeria and the Diaspora to support the development of the institution.
He said the new executive would work with the Ogun State Government to improve the learning environment, assist students, support teachers and strengthen unity among old students.
Ayinla said, “I am not going to let them down. I will try to promote and develop the school and complement the effort of the Ogun State Government.
“Government cannot do it alone. As old students, we need to support them by doing projects for teachers and students. It could be financially, gadgets or teaching aids.”
According to him, some of the immediate projects being considered include the provision of teachers’ chairs and tables, renovation and construction of toilets, roofing works, stationery and other teaching and learning materials.
He appealed to members of the association, particularly those living outside Nigeria, to contribute to the development drive, promising that his administration would operate with transparency and accountability.
‘We Will Never Forget MKO Abiola’
Recalling the history of Unity High School, Ayinla said the old students would continue to honour Abiola for his role in the establishment of the institution.
He explained that the school initially operated from the Akin-Olugbade area before moving to its present location in 1986 after Abiola constructed the school building.
Ayinla said the intervention became necessary after the government reportedly told the community that it did not have the funds to build the school.
He said, “MKO is of Gbagura land. He was a philanthropist. This school is situated in Gbagura land.
“Before now, we were using Akin-Olugbade to start this school and it is in Owu area and all communities were trying to have their own secondary school. Parents do not want their children to go to far schools.
“We were looking for who will build the school for us then. Government said they did not have money then. MKO Abiola now stood up to build the school for the government and handed it over.
“We moved from Akin-Olugbade where Gateway Secondary School is now in 1986 to this place after MKO built this place. That is why we would never forget him.”
He said the new executive would build on the legacy by seeking support from former students and other well-meaning individuals interested in the advancement of education.
