Ogun commissioner inaugurates Multilateral Grammar School science laboratory

• Hails old students’ selfless service

The Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, has said old students are the only stakeholders in the school system that give back to their alma mater without expecting any gain in return.

He stated this while inaugurating a science laboratory refurbished and equipped at Multilateral Grammar School, Okun Owa in the Odogbolu Local Government area of the state.

A statement by the Secretary of the school’s alumni association, Fola Raheem quoted the commissioner as commending the group for the noble work at complementing the efforts of the state government to revamp the decayed infrastructure in the school.

In his welcome address, the President of the alumni association, Alhaji Lukman Idris, said they decided to undertake the project to improve the quality of science teaching and learning in the school.

He further listed some of the renovation projects that the group had carried out to include staff quarters on the compound and commended the Ogun State Government for completing a new block of classrooms within the school.

Chairman of the association’s Board  of Trustees, Asiwaju Sina Ogunbambo, in his speech implored the commissioner to ensure the large expanse of land donated by the host community was put to a gainful use so that land speculators would not encroach on it.

He stated that the unutilised land was enough to accommodate a tertiary institution.

Multilateral Grammar School, Okun Owa was founded on March 19, 1965 as a successor to a teacher training college that was started by the Western Region in 1950s.

The alumni association on its 55th Founder’s Day held in March 2020 took the laboratory refurbishment as the year project and launched a fundraising amongst the members.

Although the project was hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic, the students, members of staff, Parent Teachers Association and alumni were excited that it was delivered this year.

Also at the event were the Transition Committee Chairman of Odogbolu Local Goverment, Obafemi Onakoya; Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Education, represented by a director in the ministry, Mrs O M Oloko.

Mr Segun Oyebanjo and Mr Fola Raheem, the alumni group’s vice president and secretary, respectively, with some other executive members and old students attended the programme.

The Principal of the junior school and Vice Principal of the senior school promised to make good use of the new facility and ensure its security.

The facility has equipment for Physics, Chemistry and Biology practical, the statement added.