Anniversary
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, May 18, 2018 (NAN) The Old Grammarian Society (OGS) of CMS Grammar School says the body will commission project worth N20 million as part of the programmes to mark the school’s 159th Founders Day.
Mr Adedapo Fashanu, President of OGS, told newsmen in Lagos on Thursday that activities for the anniversary would begin on June 4 to July 15.
Fashanu said that various programmes had been outlined to spice up the anniversary which has the theme: “Reinforcing the Heritage of Excellence’’.
“The OGS are proud to be associated with the prestigious CMS Grammar School, our Alma Mater, and we are also happy as the school celebrates 159th years of existence.
“We are indeed celebrating the contributions of old CMS Grammarians to the development of our great school, and to ensure that the greatness of the school is sustained and improved upon.
“I am delighted that five OGS projects such as 100kva generator, ultra-modern technical drawing room, renovated of fine arts studio, books and the renovated technical laboratory among others will be inaugurated on June 6.
“All these projects have been financially bankrolled by the various class sets both home and abroad,’’ he said.
Fashanu said that OGS chapters in other parts of the world would also hold programmes to mark the anniversary.
The president added that an Olympic size swimming pool constructed by Elderman Folarin Coker, Mr and Mrs Modupe and Folorunsho Alakija in 2017 would be inaugurated also.
“Our School has now become the first heritage school to own an Olympic size swimming pool which named “Folarin Coker Swimming Academy.
“We already have three swimming coaches that will be teaching our students how to swim and the swimming pool will be available for the use by other secondary schools,’’ he said.
Fashanu, however, commended OGS members all over the world for their contributions and passion in sustaining and improving the standard of the school’s founding father.
Also, the Principal of the school, Venerable Olaoluwa Adeyemi, thanked the OGS members for their persistent and impactful contributions to the school.
Adeyemi said that the school would not shy away from its responsibility of producing boys that would impact society positively.
“I want to thank OGS for their passionate concern for the school, we give them credit for their immense contributions over the years.
“We place our students first in everything we do, and I am happy that the school is not living on its historic past but has remained relevant over the years,’’ he said.
NAN reports that the CMS Grammar School was founded on June 6, 1859, by Rev. Thomas Babington Macaulay, the father of Hebert Macaulay, an old CMS grammarian and a foremost nationalist.
The school has produced many eminent Nigerians, including Chief Ernest Shonekan, a former Interim President of Nigeria, Otunba T. O. S Benson, the first Nigerian Minister of Information, and renowned accountant, Akintola Williams, the first African to qualify as a chartered accountant. (NAN)
KOA/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)