Ikuforiji Hails Epe Grams’ Contribution To Nation Building, Calls For Education Support

By Babatunde Kaka

• Former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Ikuforiji has commended the contributions of the students of Epe Grammar School towards the growth and development of Nigeria

• He admonished the gathering, which he described as patriotic nation builders, to support the next generation of leaders by ensuring that they have all they need to thrive

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that a former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly and Lagos APC Governors Advisory Council member, Honourable Adeyemi Sabit Ikuforiji has commended the immeasurable contributions of the students of Epe Grammar School towards the growth and development of Nigeria.

Ikuforiji disclosed this in his speech delivered at the Epe Grammar School Old Students Association, EGOSA, Biennial Conference tagged “Providing More Than Sixty Years’ Foundation for Nation Building” held in the school premises on Saturday, 12th March 2022.

 

While he commended the members of the old students association for their relentless commitment to keeping the ideals and values of the school, he was also appreciative of the uncommon sacrifice of the founding fathers and pioneer teachers of the school which has produced leaders across all spheres of life in the last 68 years.

“The theme of our celebration this year is providing more than 60 years of nation-building. This theme speaks to the pivotal role that Epe Grammar School has played in successfully producing solid graduates imbued with the knowledge, skills, confidence and patriotism needed to become astute nation builders,” he said.

Hon. Ikuforiji stated further that it was important for him to accept the role of Guest Lecturer against the backdrop of the impeccable roles the school had on the personal and professional trajectories of its products, noting that giving back to the school has become their top priority in a bid to protect and sustain the school’s legacies.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, not everyone here is a medical doctor or a politician, not everyone here will become a lawmaker, not everyone here will become a council chairman, state governor or president of Nigeria. But everyone here is a human being, and every day, we are presented with diverse opportunities to make our impact felt by giving back to society. I have, therefore, come with a charge. In addition to what we have been doing, we should make 2022 the year in which we become more committed to giving back to society, including our dear Epe Grammar School,” he stated.

The former Lagos State Speaker further did a soul searching, where he admitted that he was oftentimes saddened by the “parlous state of most government schools across the country.” While he wondered if his generation was doing enough for the present generation of students in schools, he admonished the gathering, which he described as patriotic nation builders, to support the next generation of leaders by ensuring that they have all they need to thrive.

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Also, apprehensive of the fact that there might be no country to build if schools are not properly funded, Hon Ikuforiji underscored the immeasurable impacts and roles of alumni associations which are strategic players in educational and socio-economic issues, citing the case of Havard University as the largest institution with an endowment fund running into billions of dollars.

“Our goal as patriotic Nigerians and Epe Grammar School Alumni is effective nation-building. We can help to stop the palpable moral decadence in our society by giving our time to counsel the youth. We can donate our expertise by mentoring our students. Human capital is a valuable currency. Some of the best brains are in this room as I speak. The objective is to positively change our country’s story through little acts of benevolence that will ultimately make a difference. For our country to survive, the next generation must be properly educated. If we go by the way our social values are being eroded, there might be no country to build if we do not collaborate with the Government to fund and develop our schools,” he averred.

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