The Old Grammarian’s Society (OGS) of CMS Grammar School, Bariga, Lagos, will inaugurate projects and other items worth over N20 million to mark the school’s 160th Founder’s Day.
Mr Adedapo Fashanu, President of the OGS, made this known at a media briefing on Friday in Lagos.
Fashanu said that the 160th Founder’s Day of the school when the projects would be dedicated and inaugurated, had been slated for June 7.
The theme of the Founder’s Day celebration is: `The First and The Greatest ‘.
Fashanu listed the projects and items to include: a Spectators’ Stand for the basket ball court provided by the 76/78 Set costing about N3 million; and New South Gatehouse and Gate constructed by the OGS UK Chapter at N3.4million
He mentioned three 6HP lawn mowers donated by the OGS at a cost of N451,000; Landscape portion of land between the Ven. B.A. Adelaja Hall and the Butterfly building by the 68/70 Class Set at N2.5 million.
Fashanu noted a landscape portion of land between the old dormitory and the butterfly building by the 79/81 Class Set at N 4.2million.
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According to him, three sets of computer systems with three projectors and three UPS at a cost of N 1.1million donated by Emmanuel Kabiawu of the 1991 Class Set would also be inaugurated.
“Also, two 10HP air conditioners are provided for the Ven. Adelaja Hall by the OGS at a total cost of about N4 million, ‘’ he said.
Fashanu noted that there was no secondary school greater than the CMS Grammar School in Nigeria, as the standard of education set for the school was high and different from other public schools.
He said the OGS was concerned about maintaining the school’s standard, saying that it committed a huge sum yearly to encourage the teachers and over N 1.5million to reward excellence.
According to him, the school continued to produce old boys that had ranked among the best in the world and had pioneered different fields of human endeavours in Nigeria.
“Among the products of that school that are pioneers are the likes of Late Herbert Macaulay, the father of Nigerian Nationalism; Mr Akintola Williams, the Doyen of Accounting profession in Nigeria; Late Chief F.R.A Williams, first Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
“Prof. Theophilus Ogunlesi, the first Nigerian Professor of Medicine; Late Dr Teslim Elias, first Nigerian President of World Court; and Late Prof. Babs Fafunwa, first Nigerian recipient of a Doctoral degree in Education.
“Also, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Former Head of Interim National Government; Mr Modupe Alakija, Late Chief Remi Fani-Kayode; Late Art Alade, Sen. Bareehu Ashafa, Chief Adokie Amiesimaka ,among others,’’ he said.
The OGS president noted that CMS Grammarians had continued to do their best over the years to ensure that their alma mater was taken to greater heights by providing facilities.
Fashanu named the facilities that had been provided as: the ultra-modern three-storey Modupe and Folorunsho Alakija Hostel; an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
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He said the OGS had also modernised and upgraded existing faculties such as the Science laboratory, administrative blocks and classrooms, among others.
He said the OGS also provided numerous scholarships and bursary awards to assist the indigent students and rewarded excellent students too.
“We also interfaced with the present students by bringing old boys who have succeeded in various profession to counsel and motivate them in a career talk programme,’’ Fashanu said.
Rev. Sunday Sofekun, Principal of the school, said that compliance with the school’s motto ,which included “God first, Commitment, Integrity and Transparency’’ had brought the institution thus far with a credible record.
Sofekun noted that the relentless efforts of the OGS and the founding fathers of the school had been so passionate.
“The OGS have been spending their three T’s: `Time, Treasure and Talent’ to ensure that the school continues to get better than during their (OGS) time.
“There is hardly a week that passes, without an old school boy visiting to ask of our well-being and in what area they could assist, ‘’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that activities to mark the 160th Founder’s Day of the school will span through June 3 to July 14 in various chapters of the OGS which include: Ibadan, Abuja, UK and the U.S. at different dates.
The activities are: Career talk, Free Medical Check-up, Speech and Prize-Giving Day, Students Feast, Novelty Match, Thanksgiving Service, Dedication of School Projects, Annual General Meeting, Fundraising Dinner, among others.
NAN also reports that CMS Grammar School was founded by Thomas Macaulay on June 6, 1859 and began in a small single storey building at Cotton Warehouse along Broad St., Lagos.
Macaulay presided over the school with great distinction as the Principal until his death in 1879.
The school moved in 1959 to its present site in Bariga, Lagos, during the tenure of Rev. Canon Adelaja, as Principal. (NAN)
