Old Boys Pay SSCE Fees for 41 Final-Year Students at Government Secondary School, Ilorin

Parents and students of Government Secondary School, Ilorin, Kwara State, celebrated a remarkable initiative by the 1984 set of the school, which paid the 2024 Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) fees for 41 exceptional final-year students. This gesture commemorates the 40th anniversary of the alumni’s graduation and aims to encourage hard work and foster a culture of academic excellence among current students.

Muhammad Baba-Okanla, Chairman of the 1984 Set and also the Chairman of the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC), highlighted that the decision to cover the SSCE fees for these students was a significant part of their anniversary celebrations. During the event held at the school, he emphasized the collective effort of over 300 members, both locally and abroad, to make this empowerment project a reality.

In his address, Baba-Okanla noted the set's long-standing commitment to supporting the school through various infrastructure projects, including renovations of the Physics and Chemistry laboratories, Gambari House, the School Mosque, and the provision of furniture for the library. He explained that this year, they chose to prioritize the academic empowerment of students, believing it to be the most impactful way to support their Alma mater and community.

“It was a unanimous decision of our entire members that the empowerment intervention should be carried out and institutionalized,” Baba-Okanla said. “We aim to invest in our brilliant young ones who have shown the capacity to be competitive anywhere they find themselves.”

The 1984 Set is also contemplating the establishment of an endowment fund to ensure the sustainability of this SSCE fee payment scheme for future students.

Kwara State Commissioner for Education, Hajia Sa’adatu Moddibo Kawu, commended the Old Boys for their dedication to their Alma mater. “Your association has achieved remarkable feats like mentorship programmes and infrastructural development,” she remarked. Kawu encouraged the alumni to continue their support for the school and inspire the next generation of students.

Hon. Justice Zubayr Saliu of the Kogi State High Court urged the beneficiaries not to disappoint those who provided this financial support. He encouraged others to emulate the 1984 alumni in giving back to their schools.

In his remarks, the school’s principal, Ahmed Kuranga Yero, praised the Class of 1984 for this groundbreaking initiative, noting that it was the first of its kind in the school’s history. He expressed hope that the Old Boys’ gesture would inspire all final-year students to strive for excellence.

The event featured a prayer session and gala night, concluding with the presentation of awards to the outstanding students, celebrated by their proud parents and community members. As the 1984 alumni set an inspiring precedent, their actions underscore the importance of investing in the future of education in Nigeria.