…..A Force To Reckon With — AKOGRAMS Alumni President.
…..Aregbesola yet to Reach Peak In Nigerian Politics —say Akeredolu, Owa-Ale
By: Tolulope Oluwole
It was a day of glamour and glitz when Alumni under the umbrella of the Old students Association of Anglican Grammar School, Arigidi Akoko in Ondo State (AKOGRAMS), at the weekend in Akure rolled out drums to celebrate one of their iconic members and immediate past Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Adedoji Aregbesola after his meritorious service to the nation.
The Grand Reception for the former Osun Governor which was held at the International Event Centre, the Dome, Alagbaka Akure in honor of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Saturday, was attended by Students and key members of the Association.
In an address, the National President of the Old students Association of Anglican Grammar School, Arigidi Akoko (AKOGRAMS), Mrs Moji Ajayi, described Ogbeni Aragbesola, Former Minister of Interior, as a force to reckon with and represented the school very well in all key public offices he had served humanity.
Mrs Moji Ajayi revealed that the essence of the event was to appreciate Ogbeni Aregbesola for his tremendous contributions to the development of the School and to welcome an illustrious Ambassador of the School back home. after a meritorious service to the Nation as a Minister.
According to her, Aregbesola is one, out of the many Old Students of the School who had occupied prominent positions at different levels of Government in Nigeria. “It is gratifying to note that he has always demonstrated tremendous love and uncommon commitment towards the development of the School and has equally projected the image of the School positively.
She described him as an icon. a man of vision, honour, integrity, a generous man full of humour, a highly intelligent industrious man.
The National President pointed that Aregbesola’s few areas of intervention in the school includes; Building an 1CT Centre fully equipped with Internet facilities, Sinking of borehole, Purchase of brand-new bus, Supply of Laboratory Equipment, Renovation of dilapidated blocks of classrooms, Financial assistance to some old students to settle medical bills and to meet other exigencies, among others.
Mrs Ajayi, however, challenged each SET and every old student to come on board in the quest to take AKOGRAMS to the enviable position it deserves in the comity of schools not only in Ondo State but in Nigeria at large.
The Owa Ale of Ikare Akoko in Ondo State, Oba Adefemi Adeleke Adegbite-Adedoyin II, opined that Aregbesola has been a responsible person before holding a political post.
Owa-Ale declared that those who think the end has come for Aregbesola, in Nigerian politics and governance will be disappointed eventually, as he will still have opportunity to serve humanity.
Oba Adedoyin maintained that Aregbesola has not reached the peak of his political career, noting that the former governor of the State of Osun still has many years to shine in Nigerian politics.
According to the First Class Monarch, Aregbesola has an innate Omoluabi virtue which makes him an outstanding public figure and a humanist.
Oba Adedoyin said: “Aregbesola is a rare politician with innate Omoluabi virtue. He is responsible, transparent and humane. He is a blessing to many generations.
“Let me state that the end has not come for Aregbesola in Nigerian politics and governance. Those who thinks the end has come for him will be disappointed eventually. He has not reached the peak of his political career. The road to farm will not be blocked to a farmer that has God and cutlass. We shall all be alive to celebrate another good chapter of his life,” the Royal father said.
Prof Lara Olusin, the first senior girl of AKOGRAMS described Aregbesola as a very active, intelligent who can do a lot of things very well, hardworking and someone who never turns back once he sets his goal. She added that he has taken the name of the school to higher grounds.
Mr Adewole Saba, described Aregbesola as humble, respectfuland a pace setter.
The Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi commended Aregbesola for all his efforts to promote progressives ideology, describing him as a leader worthy of emulation, a man of integrity, who have served his fatherland and indeed worth celebrating.
Speaking through the commissioner of education, Pastor Femi Agagu, the Governor Congratulated him for how far God has lifted him, adding that Aregbesola still has a lot to offer Nigeria and it’s not time for retirement, “politicians don’t retire.”
Akeredolu, however charged the old students association of all public schools to partner with the state government to move the education sector forward in the state.
The ersthwhile speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Najeem Salam described Aregbesola as someone who has used his office to help people.
Salam, a key political associate of the former Minister, also said that he is a good leader in every areas and a good leader to reckon with.
In his reaction, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola appreciated the Old student association for their honor, stressing that the reception was touching. He further appreciated God for his successful service as a minister.
“I’m happy and fulfilled, it is by the grace of God and a great privilege to have been in a prosition of leadership for years and to have left and indelible footprints on my part and be celebrated in this manner”.
He stressed that his school is a legend of some sorts and has produced a lot of stars.
Aregbesola said, “When I became governor in Osun, I sought to replicate this idea. Our administration built 11 state of the art 3,000 capacity model secondary schools, in addition to rehabilitating and upgrading the existing ones. Each school has 72 classrooms which can each comfortably accommodate 49 students and six rooms for study groups.
“It is equipped with six laboratories, 36 toilets separated equally for boys and girls, two libraries for science and arts each, facility manager’s office, a bookshop and a sick bay. We introduced Opon Imo the tablet of Knowledge; a digital education tool, ethics and discipline in public schools and even established a state-wide agency on public school discipline.
“We introduced calisthenics and school feeding and health programme. The first one we put into use was Wole Soyinka Government High School in Ejigbo, in 2015. In 2018, 11 were fully operational; With each school graduating 1,000 students every year and a combined output of 11,000, we should have not less than 44,000 world beaters now, if the programme had been sustained.
“These schools were designed to produce world beaters and the fruits were already coming out. A student from our school topped the Senior Secondary School Examination while another topped JAMB examination shortly after we left. But our successor regrettably couldn’t continue with the tempo. Nevertheless, our commitment then was from the understanding that there is no alternative to a sound public foundation education. All
governments must therefore know that no matter how attractive private schools may be, they will never be able to displace government funded public foundation education schools, if we really want to provide education to all the children and stimulate development from bottom up.
“It is a dream we must never give up on. I will remain appreciative of all my friends and associates that have followed me unflinchingly in my career in politics and public administration in Lagos, Osun and across the country. I thank most sincerely the leadership and members of this association and all who made today’s event such a roaring success. I owe you a debt of gratitude. I thank all my friends, political associates and supporters who have come here to honour me from far and near,” the former Minister said.
