Young girls in secondary schools and females in general – in the academic environment – have been challenged to remain focused and ensure that they build and maintain a purposeful future that will allow them stand out as leaders of tomorrow.
The admonition was given at the 42nd Anniversary celebration of the CMS Girl’s Grammar School Akoka, Bariga, Lagos, with the theme: ‘Strengthening The Bond: Past, Present And Future’.
The event, which held on Saturday, May 21, 2022, brought together all past graduate students of the school from 1985 to 2020, and equally served as a platform to reunite the former students with their old principals and teachers; both serving and retired.
Speaking at the event, the National President, CMS Girl’s Grammar School Akoka Alumnae Association, Mrs. Adeola Adetugbobo, explained that education is the passport to the future and every necessary arrangement must be made to get prepared for the tasks ahead.
Adetugbobo said that a condusive learning atmosphere is one of the key ingredients to improving quality education and such provision is sacrosanct within the academic environment.
“Because we know benefits of providing a good atmosphere of learning and to augment the existing infrastructure of the school, today, as part of our mission, we will be donating 100 chairs and desks for the classrooms, as part of our gift to our beloved Alma Mater.
“To the young, charming, brilliant, focused girls and ladies out there, I urge you to devote all your time and energy to your studies, to sustain the academic excellence for which CMS Girls is known. Remember to always keep your face towards the sunshine, and with time, shadows will face behind you.
“You must always be of good character, both at school and at home, even as you uphold the legendary high moral values of our school, as good ambassadors. Remember, you are the future of this school, and will in the course of time, take the baton of leadership. Therefore, follow your dream and pursue your vision with purpose and tenacity. A positive mindset brings positive things.” she said
High standard
Adetugbobo stressed that the school has always set very high standards and goals for itself, by involving in various competitions and extra-curricular activities; stressing that this boosted their morale and confidence to give back to the school.
She added that the wide range of work done by different sets of Alumnae, rekindled their sense of responsibility to the school and the society at large, promising to continue to walk in that path of greatness.
Appreciating gestures
The principal of the school, Mrs Florence Bolodeoku, appreciated the members for their consistent gestures to the school and with the donation of the chairs and desks to the pupils.
Bolodeoku described the donation as cogent, stating that it will further boost learning within the school; while adding that the students will have more chairs at their disposal to seat and get impacted.
The principal, who stated that the school had functional toilets and other facilities provided by the state government to ease learning for everyone, however, appealed to the former students to assist with completion of the abandoned school hall in the school.
According to her: “The hall would complement the existing hall and provide alternative facility for students to write examination and other co-curriculum activities. We will also urge that the ex-students assist with giving the laboratories a face-lift- with adequate equipment that could aid students’ ability to become great scientists.”
Morale booster
A final year student of the school Ms. Ifeoluwa Modebeodero, who was visibly elated to witness the occasion, stated that the gathering of the past students of the school since it was founded in 1980, had boosted the morale of the present students and would make them to follow that same path of giving back to the school and society.
Besides the donation of chairs and desks, the Association also promised a cash reward of N100,000 for the best student in the ongoing West Africa Examination Council (WAEC), examinations, as well as donation of first-aid box, jerseys for sporting activities, among others.
