Thirty years after leaving the classrooms of Christ School, Ado-Ekiti, members of the 1991–1996 set have returned to their alma mater, investing over ₦50 million in projects as they marked their 30th anniversary, themed: “Christ School: Celebrating Our Past, Inspiring Our Future and Building a Legacy Together”.
The 3-day anniversary programme featured a symposium, project commissioning and other activities designed to reconnect members of the set with their alma mater and inspire continued support for the school.
As part of the activities, members of the set staged a road show through major parts of Ado-Ekiti before proceeding to the school for the symposium and other anniversary events.
The set also renovated and equipped the chemistry and physics laboratories, provided 4,000 higher-education-designed books and installed a solar-powered borehole connected to the laboratories.
The projects, according to the organisers, were valued at over N50 million, while contributions to the anniversary activities exceeded N60 million.
Speaking to Journalists shortly after the symposium, the guest lecturer and an alumnus of the school, Prof. Kayode Arogundade, urged old students to unite and contribute to the development of Christ School, saying the institution must be restored to its former glory and positioned as a foremost secondary school in Ekiti State.
Arogundade said the symposium provided an opportunity to reflect on the glorious history of the institution and the values instilled in its students, including morality, uprightness, courage, boldness and hard work.
The professor urged old students to return to the school annually, not only to execute projects but also to strengthen relationships among themselves and create a stronger network capable of doing more for the institution.
Arogundade said the school needed the collective support of the government, alumni and the Anglican Communion to regain its status as a leading secondary school in the state.
He argued that no single stakeholder should be expected to shoulder the responsibility of managing the institution, stressing that government had a fundamental responsibility for public education.
He said Christ School should be developed into a pride of Ekiti State and Nigeria and potentially transformed into a tourist attraction.
The Chairman of the 1996 set, Mr. Ayodeji Adarabioyo, described the return to the school to give back as a dream members had nurtured since their days as students.
He recalled that former students who graduated before them regularly returned to the institution to contribute to its development, saying their example inspired the 1996 to do the same.
Adarabioyo said the set had previously constructed a 10-room toilet and donated musical instruments to the school chapel during its 25th anniversary.
He explained that the latest intervention was designed as a four-in-one project to mark the set’s 30th anniversary, including a feast for students and staff, donation of 4,000 books, renovation and equipping of the chemistry and physics laboratories and provision of a solar-powered borehole linked to the laboratories.
He added that a standing committee had been established to ensure proper maintenance of the facilities.
Adarabioyo said the majority of members of the set supported the initiative, adding that over N60 million was contributed towards the anniversary activities.
He urged members who had not yet joined the initiative, as well as other alumni sets, to embrace the culture of giving back to their alma mater and society.
He also advised current students to take their academics seriously, stressing that dedication to their studies remained a major pathway to success.
The Chairperson of the Central Working Committee of the anniversary, Mrs. Olayinka Michael, described the anniversary as a significant milestone for members of the set, expressing appreciation to God and everyone who contributed to the projects.
Michael said the condition of some facilities at the school was initially discouraging when members returned, but their collective commitment enabled them to transform the identified areas.
She appealed to the school authorities to maintain the renovated facilities, particularly the laboratories, stressing that the sustainability of the projects was as important as their execution.
Michael also urged members of the set who were yet to participate in the initiative to join, commending those who had worked tirelessly to make the anniversary projects a reality.
The celebration brought together members of the 1996 set, school authorities, staff, other stakeholders in a reunion aimed at celebrating the past achievements of Christ School while renewing the alumni’s commitment to securing its future and building a lasting legacy.
