The 1996 Set of Christ School, Ado-Ekiti, has received donations running into millions of naira from the Director-General of the Federal Housing Authority, Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, and former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bimbo Daramola, as the alumni rounded off their 30th anniversary celebration with thanksgiving, a colourful gala and the commissioning of legacy projects.
The generous financial contributions by the two distinguished old students further strengthened the set’s fundraising drive towards sustaining and expanding its interventions in their alma mater.
The three-day anniversary, themed “Christ School: Celebrating Our Past, Securing Our Future and Building a Legacy,” brought together old students from different parts of the country and beyond to celebrate three decades of friendship, service and shared memories, while also giving back meaningfully to the institution that shaped their lives.
Speaking during the thanksgiving service, the Bishop of Ekiti Anglican Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Andrew Ajayi, commended members of the 1996 Set for remembering their roots and investing in the development of Christ School.
The Bishop urged the alumni to sustain their commitment beyond periodic reunions, stressing that regular visits, engagement with the school management and interaction with students would create greater opportunities for mentorship, collaboration and further development.
Speaking on their donations, Oyetunde Ojo and Bimbo Daramola said the anniversary represented much more than merriment and reminiscence about their school days.They described the celebration as a demonstration of the power of friendship, unity and collective determination, noting that one of the best ways successful individuals could celebrate their accomplishments was by remembering and giving back to institutions that contributed to shaping their lives.
Their donations added significant momentum to the alumni’s efforts to consolidate the legacy projects undertaken in the school.
Among the major interventions by the 1996 Set were the renovation and furnishing of the Chemistry and Physics Laboratories, alongside efforts to equip the facilities for modern practical science education.
The set also donated thousands of Higher Education exercise books to students and constructed a solar-powered borehole with a channelled water system to provide sustainable water supply to the laboratories and other parts of the school.
A former Principal of Christ School, Chief Kehinde Ojo; former Vice Principal of Christ Girls’ School, Mrs. Fagbeiro; and retired teacher, Mrs. Alao, among others, showered encomiums on members of the set for their achievements and commitment to improving their alma mater.
They expressed delight that students they taught decades ago had returned as accomplished men and women to contribute to creating a better learning environment for the present generation.
The President of the Christ School Ado-Ekiti 1996 Set, Asipa Ayodeji Adarabierin; Chairman of the Central Working Committee, Mr. Theophilus Nuekpe; Chairperson of the Committee, Mrs. Olayinka Michael; Senior Prefect Boy of the Set, Mr. Tope Ogunrinde; and other executive members appreciated members of the alumni, donors, awardees, school authorities and stakeholders whose contributions made the anniversary and legacy projects possible.
They particularly appealed to the school management to ensure the proper protection, maintenance and sustainable utilisation of the renovated and newly provided facilities, stressing that sustainability was critical to achieving the long-term objectives of the interventions.
As part of the anniversary activities, members embarked on a colourful road show across Ado-Ekiti before returning to the school for a symposium and commissioning of the completed legacy projects.
The celebration also featured memorable moments of joy, laughter, friendship and emotional reunions as old students reconnected with classmates, former teachers and friends, reminiscing about their experiences at Christ School three decades ago.
The Gala and Award Night provided a fitting climax to the celebration, with distinguished personalities recognised for their contributions to society, education and human development.
Ultimately, the 30th anniversary underscored the collective conviction of the 1996 Set that their individual and collective successes carry a responsibility to give back to the institution that helped shape their lives.
Thirty years after leaving the classrooms of Christ School, Ado-Ekiti, the 1996 Set returned not merely to celebrate the past, but to invest in the present and help secure the future.
Their message was unmistakable: friendship may have brought them together again, but service, gratitude and legacy remain the enduring purpose of their reunion.