Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has called for stakeholder collaboration to ensure proper funding of the nation’s education sector.
The governor stated this while commissioning legacy projects by the 84 sets of Government College, Ibadan (GCIOBA), declaring that the government alone cannot carry the burden of education.
He said this necessitated collaboration from individuals, corporate bodies and non-governmental organisations.
The governor, who commended GCIOBA 84th set for the projects, charged alumni members to always contribute their quota to their alma mater.
Chairman of the 1984 set, Dr Tunji Aladejebi, said the school had been more than just an institution of learning but a community and a second home where lifelong friendships were forged and character was built.
He stated that the 40th anniversary reminded them of a strong network created over time; adding the set shared history gives them a unique bond and collective strength to rely on.
He said the set had made many interventions in the school to recover its lost glory, such as renovating the school coaster bus, providing furniture to the biology and chemistry laboratories, donating complete football kits to the school football team, and rehabilitating the school kitchen, among others.
He urged his colleagues to continue supporting one another, giving back to their alma mater, and upholding the values instilled in them in school.
Goke Dokun, chairman of the 40th reunion anniversary, said the school had been a beacon of excellence, fostering growth, innovations, and community.
After signing the MoU of Management, Operation, and Development with the state government, GCIOBA President Wale Babalakin said the body had completely transformed the school in the last two years.
The commissioned projects, which were part of activities to mark the set’s 40th reunion anniversary, include renovating the school battery and developing an adjoining quadrangle for students’ recreation, donating equipment to the school’s library with various textbooks, and purchasing 40 school uniforms for indigent students.
Others were the purchase of 40 WAEC and 40 JAMB forms for school students.
