By Habeeb Ibrahim
The 2001 Set of Yewa Grammar School Old Students Association, Ikorodu, on May 8th, 2024, presented exceptional students in different departments with the 2024 National Examination Councils (NECO) scholarship as part of their efforts to give back to their alma mater.
The scholarship recipients include four outstanding students from three different departments: Safiu Usman and Adeyemo Karamot (Science Class), Joseph Racheal (Art Class), and Kuti Fathia (Commercial Class). These students according to the Alumni body have demonstrated remarkable dedication to their education, which has ultimately paid off with this well-deserved recognition.
Under the leadership of President Idris Olawale Moshood, the “YGS 01 set” aims to instil morals and values in the students’ lives by encouraging them in their academic pursuits.
In an interview with BlackBox Nigeria, the Alumni president revealed that they visit the school annually to donate resources. Some of their notable projects include repairing the roofs and floors of three to four classrooms, donating chairs to classrooms, and providing exercise books to junior class students.
The Vice Principal of Yewa Grammar School, Mr Abiloye Oluwafemi Abiodun, expressed his gratitude to the old students for their initiative, stating that it encourages and motivates the current students. He noted that the success of the old students who have returned to give back to the school is a testament to the impact of the school’s moral and academic teachings.
“I want to appreciate them; it’s a way of encouraging and motivating our students. Seeing students like them who passed out several years ago and are now very successful, and now deem it fit to give back to the school, is a lot of encouragement. They have made our work of impacting morals and academics easier because what they have done this morning shows that they can be successful.”
Abiloye advised the students to focus on their studies and resist distractions, emphasizing the importance of teaching as a profession that prays for its products to be greater than their teachers. He expressed joy and happiness in seeing students excel and encouraged them to behave well, listen to instructions, and learn what will make them successful.
“My advice to the students is that they should face their academics and listen to the instructions given to them by the teachers. In my belief, I believe that teaching is the only profession that prays for their product to be greater than them. Joy and happiness fill my heart when we see our students excelling. And we are proud to say they are our students. We encourage them to behave themselves, listen to instructions, and learn what will make them successful” he said.
Idris Olawale Moshood, President of YGS01 set, emphasized the motive behind the innovation, stating that their primary objective has been to give back to their alma mater, Yewa Grammar School. “Since we decided to come together as a set, our primary objective has been to give back to our alma mater, Yewa Grammar School.”
Idris advised the students to be serious in all aspects of their lives, both in and out of the classroom, as this will determine their future. He encouraged them to focus on their studies, listen to their teachers, and strive to become good students who will become better future leaders.
“I advise the students to be serious in all aspects of their lives, both in and out of the classroom, as this will determine their future. They should focus on their studies, listen to their teachers, and strive to become good students who will become better future leaders” he concluded.
Joseph Racheal, a beneficiary of the scholarship award from the art class, expressed his gratitude to the organizers and relief that his parents no longer have to struggle to pay his NECO fee. He advised other students to be more diligent and behave well to benefit from such opportunities, and thanked the 2001 set for reaching out to them.
“I’m happy to be one of the students receiving this scholarship award, and I’m also relieved that it’s been a struggle for my parents to pay for two students, as my sister and I are both in SS3. Paying my NECO fee has been a huge relief to my parents, and I appreciate the organizers of this program immensely.
“My advice to other students is to be more diligent and, if they have been misbehaving in a way that teachers dislike, to retrace their steps and behave normally so they can also benefit from this opportunity. To the 2001 set, I say a very big thank you for reaching out to us here at Yewa Senior Grammar School”, she said.
The Public Relations Officer of the Alumni group, Badru Jokomba emphasised that the old student body would not be relenting in its annual tradition because they are duty-bound to give back to the school and pupils for the sacrifices the school made in shaping their lives.
