OYEMEKUN GRAMMAR SCHOOL HOLDS WALK-IN-CEREMONY IN STYLE
The newly admitted students of Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure on Friday took to the street in their usual tradition on walk-in to show their formal admission to the great citadel of learning.
The news students walked from the School compound to Catholic Cathedral Junction to and fro with excitement about the attainment of new height.
After the great walk, the students, teachers, parents and members of old students’ association converged in the school hall for the orientation of the new-in-takes of the school.
The event attracted attention of education stakeholders in Ondo State and beyond some of the dignitaries present include, Chairman Lagos Branch of Old Students’ Association of the school, Dr. Niyi Idogun, Chairman Old Students’ Association, home based, Engr. Stephen Olusegun and Engr. Akinpelu Akinmola, a director in Ondo State Ministry Land and Housing and a host of others.
While speaking with journalists, Chairman Old Students’ Association, Lagos State Branch, Dr. Niyi Idogun, congratulated the new students and charged them not to relent in keeping the culture of excellence that the school is known for over the years.
On his part, the home based chairman of Old Boys Association, Engr. Stephen Olusegun said that Oyemekun was the only school in Nigeria that presented SS 2 students for WAEC and they all passed with flying colours that was the reason they adopted the slogan “The Only School”.
In the same way, he noted that the Association of the Old Students was motivated to give facelift to the infrastructures of the school because government alone cannot do it, therefore, charged all the relevant stakeholders to be actively involved in the development of the school.
Also speaking one of the outstanding members of the Old Student Association and Director in Ondo State Ministry of Land and Housing, Engr. Akinpelumi Akinnola charged the new students to be inspired with quality lives of the old students of the school and strive to be the best that God has made them to be.
In his speech the Principal of the School, Mr. Ogunleye Okeowo who was full of joy thanked God for the success of the event which he described as important step of the lives of the new intake.
“As we all know that no one can underestimate the value and importance of education. It is the ladder to greatness in life. Education reforms and lightens every dark path in life. It is a great weapon against ignorance.”
“We are gathering here to celebrate our children, the luckiest ones who have been privileged to be admitted into this great school for quality and best secondary school education. Over three thousand pupils made Oyemekun Grammar school, Akure their first choice but just four hundred and fifty students made it finally.”
Okeowo said the school has been mother to many great Nigerians as the school has produced giants in different fields of human endeavours
“Our school is noted for success in academics and other spheres of life. Our boys represented Ondo State at National Inter-Brigade Military Quiz Competition in Ibadan, July this year; we came second out of Twenty Nine States that were represented. My boys were also at the Police College recently for another competition and they came First.
“In sporting activities, Oyemekun boys made us proud. They represented Ondo State in Ibadan this year in Volley ball, we came First, Relay race, we came First and Table Tennis and we came second. To mention a few,” he stated.
Okeowo used the opportunity to applauded Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for his love and contributions towards the development of education in Ondo State which he described as incomparable.
In his words: “Apart from renovation of schools in the state, construction of perimeter fencing of most primary schools and recently employed over Two thousand primary school teachers in the state.
“He also paid almost all the salary arrears owned by the past government. He paid WAEC fees for all SS 3 students in Ondo State. Over 400 students of Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure who wrote last Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WAEC) benefited from it. This is a laudable contribution of this government. What our children enjoyed in their in their different primary schools from the government they will continue to enjoy such even in the secondary school.
“Now to my favoured children, that you are students of this great citadel of learning is a great privilege. You must do your best to retain your studentship by obeying the school’s rules and regulations. More importantly, you must adhere strictly to the code of conduct given to you, let it guide you on daily basis. You must be hardworking, shun laziness and avoid all distractions. You must be focused and carefully choose your career.
He used the occasion to commend the old students’ Association for their enormous contributions to the school which he described as a welcome development.
The principal also charged the parents and other stakeholders to actively play their role for the benefit of the students and society at large.