By Afusat Agunbiade-Oladipo

The 1999 set of ECWA Secondary School, Ganmo, has reaffirmed its commitment to members’ welfare and educational development through scholarships, infrastructure projects and other interventions.

The President of the Alumni Association, Mr Seun Aboluwarin, stated this on Saturday in Ilorin during the set’s reunion programme, organised to strengthen relationships and discuss strategies for advancing the association.

Aboluwarin said the association’s interventions focused on two major areas; providing support for members and contributing to the development of their alma mater.

He said members had benefited from employment opportunities, financial assistance, medical support and other welfare initiatives.

On educational development, Aboluwarin said the association had renovated and equipped the school’s science laboratories and renovated its computer laboratory.

He added that computers and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) units were also donated to improve teaching and learning.

“The association operates an annual scholarship scheme to assist indigent students with registration for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and National Examination Council (NECO) examinations.

“The association also rewards outstanding graduating students with scholarships to support their further education at tertiary institutions,” he said.

Aboluwarin however, said the 2025 scholarship exercise was yet to commence, explaining that the association usually obtained a list of deserving and indigent students from the school ahead of examination registration.

He said the number of beneficiaries depended on the association’s financial capacity, adding that the initiative was aimed at promoting access to education.

“I want to urge members of the 1999 set who are yet to join the association to do so. A greater participation will strengthen our networking, mutual support and collective development,” he said.

The alumni association president also disclosed that the association was working towards establishing a foundation to bring together alumni from all graduating sets of the school.

According to him, the initiative is expected to commence by December and provide a platform for stronger collaboration among former students across different sets.

Earlier, the Guest Speaker, Pastor Babatunde Akintunde, urged members to build enduring friendships based on love, trust, forgiveness, mutual support and consistent communication.

Akintunde who spoke on the topic, “Beyond Acquaintances: Building Friendships That Last”, with the subtitle, “Reconnecting Our Past, Strengthening Our Future”, said genuine friendships required commitment, understanding, loyalty and mutual support.

He explained that lasting relationships should withstand distance, time, misunderstandings and changing circumstances.

He identified genuine love, trust and transparency, consistent communication, mutual support, forgiveness and understanding as five major pillars of enduring friendships.

According to him, pride, unhealthy competition, gossip, betrayal of confidence, bitterness, selfishness and poor communication can undermine relationships.

Akintunde encouraged members to celebrate one another’s achievements, show genuine interest in each other’s progress and create opportunities for regular fellowship.

He also urged them to support one another’s aspirations, noting that meaningful relationships required deliberate efforts beyond occasional gatherings.

Also speaking, the Head Girl of the 1999 set, Mrs Taiye Ibuoye, said the association had contributed to the development of the school through scholarships, infrastructure projects and donations of laptops.

Ibuoye said the association had undertaken several interventions since graduation to support the school and its students.(NAN)
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Edited by Usman Aliyu/Deborah Coker