The Oke-Ode Grammar School Old Students Association on Thursday appealed to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara to renovate the dilapidated structures in the school.

The President of the association, Ismail Abdulsalam, made the call in Ilorin during a news conference organised as part of activities for the 2025 Re-union and N100 million Infrastructure Development Fundraising.

He observed that the 35-year-old institution established in 1969, had produced about 6000 professionals in diverse disciplines across the country and in diaspora.

He, however, lamented that the school was deteriorating due to its aging structures, which require rehabilitation.

Mr Abdulsalam commended the governor for the milestones recorded in the education sector including improvement of the standard of education in the state.

He said, “We commend the state government’s effort in giving primary and secondary schools in the state befitting facelifts through massive renovation across the three senatorial zones of the state. We, however, note with palpable sadness that our great alma mater, Oke-Ode Grammar School, did not benefit in the first phase of this massive schools renovation exercise. In view of this, the old students of this great school wish to appeal to our hardworking governor to extend this gesture to Oke-Ode Grammar School because most of the buildings in the school are in terrible dilapidated conditions.’’

Mr Abdulsalam observed that the school’s structures require urgent intervention to restore them and make the environment conducive for meaningful learning.

The president of the association also called for intervention at the computer-based test centre in the school, saying that the CBT policy for school certificate examination is about to take off.

He urged the government to upgrade and re-equip the existing CBT Centre in Oke-Ode Grammar School to make it a hub for WAEC candidates in the Oke-Ode axis in the forthcoming examinations.

Mr Abdulsalam explained that the 2025 reunion of the Old Students includes the launch of a ₦100 million appeal fund for the school and awards of excellence for outstanding members of the association.

He recalled that members of the association had contributed resources to ensure the renovation of some dilapidated buildings, including the library, as well as the provision of educational materials, sets of furniture, and other essential items.

According to him, the association has complemented the government’s efforts by helping to ensure maximum security for students, teachers, and the NYSC corps members deployed to the school.

Mr Abdulsalam said that the reunion would take place on November 22 in Ilorin.

(NAN)