It was a moment for display of emotion and nostalgic feelings when former students of Government Secondary School Afon gathered to celebrate fifty years of the establishment of the school, by the Kwara State Government.
The historic event which lasted two days, drew ex students across the country, was climaxed with the cutting of golden Jubilee cake at a dinner and award night for recognising outstanding Contributions of some personalities towards the rejuvenation of the pioneer secondary school in Asa Local Government Area.
The boarding school, which has produced more many Professors, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Major Generals, Deputy Inspector General of Police,Air Vice Marshalls, Deputy Comptroller Generals of Customs and Immigration, Public Relations Experts and seasoned Journalists, Doctors, Barristers and Engineers has had its facilities gone into decay due to policy summersault by successive administrations in the state.
In his lecture titled “Safe School Initiative in Nigeria: Addressing the Insecurity Challenges of External Encroachment on School Lands”the retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Doctor Adebola Hamzat who is an alumnous of the school, called for the strengthening of Safe School Initiative in all educational institutions in Nigeria, through adequate funding, review of legal frame work, pointing out that ensuring the safety and integrity of school lands is not only a matter of security, but a fundamental prerequisite for fostering a conducive environment that promotes academic excellence and holistic development.
In his remarks the Pioneer Principal of the school, Doctor Solomon Aboyeji, who was visibly elated observed that the Presidential tenure of Alhaji Abdul Rasaq Mobolaji Yakoob has carried positive leadership excellence to a higher level, thereby making GSS Afon a cynosure of all eyes,beyond the shore of the country.
The current Principal, Mr Hassan Mustapha and the chairman of the school’s Parents,Teachers Association, Alhaji Yinusa Ayinde disclosed that there has been steady improvement in students’ performance in WAEC and NECO, with more than eighty percent of candidates obtaining more than six credits, in recent examinations, and praised the Alumni Association for playing leading role in restoring the glory of the school, through provision of infrastructural facilities, bursary to indigent students and other forms of positive reinforcement to the current students of the school.
The chairman of Afon Community Alhaji Issa Amosa Alagbede, explained that Afon Community was mindful of the old students’ commitment in renovating the school and restoring the past glory of their Alma Mater and prayed God Almighty to continue to uplift all members of the Alumni Association and pleaded with the old students to be actively involved in the developmental trajectory of Afon Community, through the establishment of agro- allied industries, hospitality business, accommodation and small scale industries.
In his address of welcome, the outgoing President of the Old Students’ Association,Alhaji Abdul Rasaq Mobolaji Yakoob disclosed that the Association during his tenure successful executed and facilitated numerous projects to the school, which include, renovation of classrooms and toilets, refurbishment of computer laboratory, facilitation and construction of boreholes, interlocking of road from the main gate to the school compound, reconstruction school gate, installation of 500 KVA transformer, facilitation of construction of Computer hall and installation of Computers for Basic School students by the chairman of SUBEB in the state, award of scholarship to indigent students and the setting up of Entrepreneurial centre, thereby contributing significantly in providing conducive teaching and learning in the school.
