The Saint Joseph College Old Boys Association, 1997 set, has donated science laboratory equipment worth multi-million naira to their alma mater.
The 28-year-old former SJC students presented the equipment as a way of giving back to the college that shaped their lives as part of their Direct Impact Project programmes.
Speaking during the presentation, the Coordinator of the 1997 class, Mr. Ayodeji Fasehun who was represented by Mr. Oluwaseun Sosa Akinsulire, stated that the gesture was aimed at creating a conducive learning environment for the students, especially those in the science classes.
He noted that the equipment, valued millions of naira, was provided to improve the academic standard of the school.
“We thought about it, and after leaving the school 28 years ago, we knew it was time to give back.
"So we met with the principal, who told us that science equipment remained a major challenge, and we contributed to provide them for the students’ use."
Fasehun urged the students to be committed to their studies, remain disciplined, and make effective use of the science equipment for quality education in line with the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
“The science equipment would be used in the Biology, Physics, and Chemistry laboratories.
" We, therefore, urge the science teachers to utilise the materials and teach the students effectively.”
Reacting to the gesture, the Principal of St. Joseph's College, Ondo, Pastor Adekunle Adeyinka, expressed great delight at the contributions from the former students, noting that the intervention was very apt and timely.
He commended the " '97 old boys" saying that they have shown great generosity by giving back to the school that produced them.
His words: “I am so happy today because one of the major challenges we face in the school is the lack of science laboratory equipment, especially with the ongoing West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and NECO exams.
He appreciated the 1997 Alumni group for remembering their alma mater and prayed that God would continue to bless their lives.
He therefore called for increased investment in the education sector from Alumni associations, private organizations and individuals to drive national growth and sustain development across all sectors.
The Principal equally urged the governments at all levels to demonstrate the political will to improve the nation’s education system by committing more resources to the development of the sector at all levels.
He said: “Education is capital-intensive. It is a long-term investment, and we need to have that political will to commit more resources to education. That would be the only solution.”
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