The Ondo State Ministry of Education has commended the old students of United Grammar School, Ode Irele, for their commitment to the school’s development.

Speaking through its Area Education Officer, Mr. Oloyede Akinbuwa, at the week-long Diamond Jubilee celebration of the school on Tuesday, the ministry praised the ex-students for renovating and furnishing five classrooms. It stated that the government cannot handle the infrastructural development of schools alone but can be supported by other stakeholders.

The Chairman of the Diamond Jubilee Celebration, Sir Wunmi Akinmoju, said that scores of alumni from around the world had converged on the school since Monday to renew their commitment to infrastructural and human development in the institution.

Under the aegis of the United Grammar School Old Students Association (UGSOSA), the alumni are organising a quiz competition for secondary schools in the area, a cultural display, and inter-house sports.

On Saturday, the school will hold a public lecture titled “Education and National Development: The Role of Alumni Associations,” to be delivered by the former Vice-Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University and an alumnus of the school, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun.

According to a statement signed by the association’s National President, Elder Bayowale Iji, and General Secretary/Publicity Committee Chairman, Dr. Biyi Adegoroye, UGSOSA seeks to raise the sum of N250 million for the School Development Fund in addition to the four classrooms they have renovated and furnished in the last five years.

The old students will also honour the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olumide Oladiji; Elder Bayo Iji; Sir Martins Akinmoju; Pastor Sam Odimayo; the Deputy Editor of Sunday Telegraph, Dr. Biyi Adegoroye; Mrs. Beatrice Obanla; and many others. The event will climax with a thanksgiving service at the Methodist Church, Ode Irele.

Created on February 21, 1965, in the then Okitipupa Division of South-West Nigeria—now comprising five local government areas: Okitipupa, Irele, Ilaje, Ese-Odo, and Odigbo—UGS has become one of the fastest-growing secondary schools, producing numerous intellectuals, traditional rulers, politicians, professors, and business icons.