MKO Abiola built our school when government had no money – UNISOSA President

…The old students inaugurate the first national executive 40 years after the establishment of Unity High School

…The new Exco addresses toilets, roofing, furniture, teaching aids, student well-being

Ayomide Awe

The Old Students Association of Unity High School, Ago-Ika, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Thursday, inaugurated its first National Executive Council, almost four decades after the establishment of the school.

The historic inauguration, held on the school premises, also rekindled memories of the late business tycoon and philanthropist, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, who, according to the association’s first president, Kabiru Ayinla, built the school after government said it had no funds to do so.

Ayinla, a member of the 1992 batch, who emerged as the pioneer national president of Unity High School, Ago-Ika, Old Students Association, popularly known as UNISOSA, promised that his administration would mobilize alumni in Nigeria and the diaspora to support the development of the institution.

He said the new executive would work with the Ogun State Government to improve the learning environment, assist students, support teachers and strengthen unity among old students.

Ayinla said: “I will not disappoint them. I will try to promote and develop the school and complement the efforts of the Ogun State Government.

“The government cannot do it alone. Like old students, we need to support them by carrying out projects for teachers and students. It could be funding, gadgets or teaching aids.”

According to him, immediate projects under consideration include the provision of chairs and tables for teachers, renovation and construction of toilets, roofing work, stationery and other teaching and teaching materials.

He appealed to members of the association, especially those living outside Nigeria, to contribute to the development drive, promising that his administration will operate with transparency and accountability.

‘We will never forget MKO Abiola’

Recalling the history of Unity High School, Ayinla said old students will continue to honor Abiola for his role in founding the institution.

He explained that the school initially operated in Akin-Olugbade area before moving to its current location in 1986, after Abiola constructed the school building.

Ayinla said the intervention was necessary after the government allegedly told the community it did not have the funds to build the school.

He said: “MKO is from Gbagura land. He was a philanthropist. This school is located in Gbagura land.”

“Before now, we used Akin-Olugbade, which is in Owu area, to open this school and all the communities were trying to have their own secondary school. Parents don’t want their children to go to distant schools.

“We were looking for who would build the school for us then. The government said they had no money then. MKO Abiola has now stood up to build the school for the government and handed it over to them.

“We moved from Akin-Olugbade, where Gateway Secondary School is now located, in 1986, to this place after MKO built this place. That’s why we will never forget it.”

He said the new executive will build on the legacy by seeking support from alumni and other well-intentioned people interested in the advancement of education.

The first National Exco emerges

The new executive emerged from an election conducted by the electoral committee chaired by Rofia Ologundudu.

Other members of the election committee were Mr. Jamiu Aramide, Vice President; Mr. Saheed Olajide, Secretary; Mrs. Iyabo Ogunsiji, member; and Mr. Saheed Shittu, member.

The newly inaugurated executive includes Ayinla as president; Mr. Rasheed Ogunyinka, Vice President I; Mr. Gbenga Ogunbayo, Vice President II; Mrs. Olubukola Onabote, General Secretary; and Mr Kehinde Abiodun, Deputy Secretary General.

Others are Mrs. Mojisola Ajayi, Financial Secretary; Mr. Sulaimon Ogunleye, Treasurer; Mr. Olawale Salami, Assistant Public Relations Manager; Mr. Ahmed Tella, Social Secretary; Mrs Abosede Balogun, Welfare Officer; Mr. Abeeb Ajayi, Auditor; Ms. Temitope Yusuff, project coordinator; and Pastor Omotola Oluleye, ex-Officio I.

The inauguration marks the end of the period in which the association operated under a Protection Committee since its establishment.

‘The new leadership has no excuses for not maintaining the results”

A member of the 1986 Board of Directors and Establishment, Elder Rafiu Olayemi, said the board would continue to provide guidance and ensure that the executive operates within the constitution of the association.

Olayemi said the BOT has an advisory responsibility and that it will intervene where necessary to ensure that the new leadership complies with its mandate.

“The BOT under our constitution makes us play an advisory role. We have to advise them and call them to order. They have got the right followers and have no reason not to deliver,” he said.

Olayemi disclosed that the number of UNISOSA members has increased significantly since the Caretaker Committee began its activities.

He expressed confidence that the new administration will translate the association’s growing membership into tangible projects, particularly the provision of toilets and other infrastructure in the school.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Ologundudu, described the inauguration as a milestone in the history of the association.

In his welcome speech, he thanked the members and elders for their support, saying the emergence of the first elected national executive marked the beginning of a new era of leadership, service, unity and development.

“Today marks a significant milestone in the history of UNISOSA. The inauguration of our first national executive leaders is not only a celebration, but also the beginning of a new chapter of leadership, service, unity and progress,” he said.

The event was attended by members of the Board of Trustees, past students from various groups and other stakeholders who witnessed the formal transition to the association’s first national elected leadership.

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