Stanza 704 is in the news again, and for all the good reasons. Unarguably, it is a Stanza known for many trailblazing firsts since exiting St. Charles' some 47 years ago. Check the followings, you won't fault that claim:
- the highest number of Division/Grade 1s (one of the key parameters of examination measurement of that era) and an uncommon 100% pass rate at that time;
- highest number of eggheads, academics and consummate professionals (ProfessorS, Medical/Academic Doctors etc);
- a towering Industrialist and Philanthropist who almost single-handedly bankrolled the building of SCOBA's ALUMNI HALL, the BASHORUN ROTIMI OBEISUN HALL.
This time around, Stanza 704 members deemed it fit to give back to our alma mater from the abundance of God's innumerable blessings in the lives of its members. The first step taken by the Stanza was to, through a Committee of 4 of its members in conjunction with the School's 3 Principals at the time and some teaching Staff), do an assessment of the needs of the school in November 2019.
The Committee included Charleans (Engr.) Adekunle Taiwo, Abiodun Fashina, Segun Olorunsogo and Dr. Victor Tanimowo. They jointly identified a dilapidated block of 2 classrooms and a staffroom requiring a very urgent and timely short-term intervention. The identified block had blown off roofs and ceilings, with serious damaging effects on its doors, windows and paintings. Internal workings of the project were set in motion and cost outlay was put at N3.8m (N3,794,410.00 was actually spent). Project work commenced on October 25, 2020 and under 4 months (3 months, 19 days to be precise - February 13, 2021), project was completed.
THE BIG & GOOD NEWS! The block of 2 classrooms and one staffroom, was commissioned and handed over today, February 16, 2021. The commissioning was done by no less a personality than Hon. Jamiu Olawumi, Special Adviser to Governor Gboyega Oyetola on Education. Present at the Commissioning and handover ceremony were Charleans:
- Professor BB Adeleke - Chairman, Board of Trustees & Board of Governors, St. Charles'
- Rotimi Aluko, SCOBA President
- Majek Owoo, IPP
- Jimoh Salami - Chair, Home Branch
- Femi Olawale (OLAJOH)
- Paschal Ajayi
- Abiola Oloke
- Waheed Salami
- Wasiu Bello, SCOBA's Administrative Secretary
- Mrs. O.B. Durosomo, Principal
- Mrs. Famogbiyile
- Master Victor Ajayi - Snr Prefect
The main thrusts of the speeches of Charleans (Professor) BB Adeleke (BOT and BOG Chairman) and Rotimi Aluko (SCOBA President were:
- admonition to younger generation of SCOBA and current students of the school to draw inspiration from SCOBA's array of erudite Scholars/ Professors and consummate professionals rather than the crop of low-level products of today;
- SCOBA's investment into our alma mater: SCOBA's Alumni Hall, its ....'Back To the Top Project, infrastructural rehabilitation (building reconstruction, re-roofing,
repainting, borehole etc), quality furnishing of classrooms, laboratories, provision of fully furnished computer building, donation books worth millions of Naira to aid/ enhance learning and productivity etc.
Impressed by the efforts demonstrated and fundings deployed by SCOBA in its partnership with government towards improving the standard of education in public schools, Hon. Jamiu Olawumi (SA to Governor Oyetola on Education) promised to (a) ventilate all that he heard and saw to the Governor (b) instruct the State Ministry of Education to write a letter of appreciation to SCOBA (c) give priority to St. Charles' in the scheme of things whenever benefits are to 'flow' to schools from government. To further buttress this, he requested the Principal to always make the school's needs known to government in good time, promising to ensure that government obliges on such needs.
On hand to give the event publicity and colour were Timsed Broadcasting Service (Timsed 94.1 FM) and Timsed International Television (TITV) - both media outfits of that great Charlean and distinguished member of 704 Stanza, Bashorun Rotimi Obeisun.
Join us as we go on a pictorial tour of today's landmark handover of the completed classrooms and staffroom.
Here's appreciating Charlean Wasiu Bello, SCOBA's Administrative Secretary, for sending in pictures of the event and filing in their related stories.
Let's all, through this medium, thank Stanza 704 for this patriotic, generous stride and spirit. We are inclined to believe that this is the beginning of more projects to come from the Stanza. We are also seizing this opportunity to implore other Stanzas, Chapters and Branches (that have hitherto not done projects in recent past) not to fold their 'arms'. They should join in making our alma mater better by giving back to it.
Thank you.
Humility! Humilitas!!
Signed:
Pius Adesakin
Publicity Secretary
SCOBA CEC