As a way of giving back to the school that shaped their future, the 2004 set of Command Day Secondary School, Ojo, Lagos State, has paid enrolment fees and other fees associated with West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for 13 SSS3 students of the school at the tune of N845,000.
During a brief ceremony to handover the cheques to the benefitting students, the alumni association also presented gifts to the teachers whom they said were very instrumental to their current status in the society today.
The event was used to mark the 20th graduation anniversary of old students in a manner to show their commitment to education and gratitude to their teachers and the school.
According to a statement from the alumin group, the event, held on December 4, at the school premises in the military cantonment, Ojo Barracks and was attended by members of the 2004 graduating set, the school management and students from the various classes.
The president of the association, Oyedoyin Oke-Oladipo, expressed the motivation behind the event, saying that they wanted to give back to the school that shaped their futures.
“This year is different because it is a milestone for us. We decided to give back to the school in a way that is lasting and impactful. We reached out to the school to present us with students who are indigent, of average performance, and have a flair for education,” she explained.
According to her, the sponsorship amount is N65,000 for each student and covers the costs for the WASSCE organised by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and its counterpart examination organised by the National Examinations Council (NECO) to alleviate financial burdens for both students and their families amidst the current economic challenges in the country.
“There is also a plan to continue this to the university level. We will also create a mentorship programme to guide them in different industries. The career space is always changing,” Oke-Oladipo added.
One of the beneficiaries, Chukwuebuka Uju, said the sponsorship would further inspire him to focus on his academics and obtain excellent results.
Uju, who aspired to become a civil engineer, said, “This sponsorship is helpful for students to pursue their academic goals. It inspires me to do better in my academics. I will put in my best, work harder, and achieve great results.”
Another beneficiary, Chisom Okpala, said the sponsorship will help students from poor backgrounds and motivate them.
The student noted that she was inspired to concentrate on the exams to qualify for admission to study medicine and surgery at the institution of her choice.
“I want to save lives. Most times when I go to the hospital, I am excited by the procedures and how surgeons operate to save lives. This sponsorship helps students from poor backgrounds and motivates us to excel. My goal is to score more than 300 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination,” Okpala said.
In celebrating the teachers, the chairperson of the committee for the 2024 reunion, Chizoba Okpara, said it was necessary to honour the teachers who played a role in their education.
Members of the 2004 set of Command Day Secondary School, Ojo, Lagos
“We had to appreciate the teachers who taught us 20 years ago. It was due to their impact in our lives that we can now impact the students too,” she remarked.
The school management, while appreciating the efforts of the alumni, said the contributions will inspire future generations at Command Day Secondary School.
