The Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure Alumni Association (OGSA) on Thursday marked the 73rd Founders’ Day of the historic institution with an anniversary lecture and the formal launch of a commemorative compendium titled The Legacy, documenting the activities and achievements of the 10th Global Executive Council.
The celebration, held in Akure, attracted alumni across generations, education stakeholders, school administrators, students and invited guests, who gathered to celebrate the school’s rich history and reaffirm collective responsibility towards its future.
Delivering the 73rd Founders’ Day Anniversary Lecture, a distinguished alumnus, Professor Femi Adu of the Department of Animal Production and Health, Federal University of Technology, Akure, spoke on the theme: “Oyemekun Grammar School Akure: The Legacy Continues. They Were Here, We Were Here, You Are Here Now, We Can Make It Better Than Ever.”
Professor Adu traced the journey of Oyemekun Grammar School from its founding to its present status, highlighting continuity, excellence and service as the pillars of the school’s enduring success.
He charged alumni and current students to see themselves as active custodians of a legacy that must be consciously sustained and improved upon.
According to him, “Legacy is strengthened when each generation deliberately adds value, not when it merely celebrates history.”
He stressed the relevance of the school’s founding values to contemporary challenges in education, leadership and societal development, while underscoring the importance of strong alumni networks in promoting mentorship, excellence and national development.
He noted that Founders’ Day celebrations across the country often serve as platforms to celebrate history, reaffirm commitments and inspire future action in academic and professional spheres.
In his remarks, the Global President of the OGSA Alumni Association, Dr Adeniyi Ijogun, described the Founders’ Day as more than a ceremonial event, but a moment for reflection and recommitment.
“Today reminds us that Oyemekun Grammar School is not just a place we once passed through; it is a legacy we carry wherever we go,” Ijogun said. “As old students, we owe it to those who were here before us and those who are here now to make this institution better than we met it.”
He reaffirmed the association’s commitment to supporting the school through mentorship, infrastructural development, academic support and sustained alumni engagement.
A major highlight of the celebration was the unveiling of The Legacy, a compendium that chronicles the activities and achievements of the 10th Global Executive Council.
The publication documents the evolution of Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure over the past four years under the leadership of the council headed by Dr Ijogun.
According to him, the compendium was produced to preserve memories that define OGSA’s identity and to serve as a vital archival resource for present and future generations.
“This compendium is our gift to history and to posterity. It tells our story, where we started, how far we have come, and the responsibility that lies ahead,” he said.
Also speaking, the Principal of Oyemekun Grammar School, Mr Oluyide Adeniyi, commended the Alumni Association for its unwavering support and consistent contributions to the development of the school.
“We are deeply encouraged by the strength and unity of our alumni,” the principal said, adding that alumni involvement remains critical to sustaining educational excellence and institutional growth.
He called for deeper collaboration between the alumni association and the school, particularly in the areas of student mentorship, learning resources and infrastructure, as the new Global Executive Council assumes leadership.
The Global Deputy President-elect of the association, Chief Femi Olabimtan, lauded the achievements of the outgoing 10th Global Executive Council and emphasized the need for continued collaboration among alumni, school management and students to advance educational excellence and institutional growth.
He described the anniversary as not only a celebration of achievements, but also a rallying point to strengthen alumni engagement and partnerships that benefit both current students and graduates.
While appreciating the leadership of the outgoing council under Dr Ijogun for leaving an enduring legacy, Olabimtan reiterated the commitment of the incoming 11th Global Executive Council to build on the achievements recorded, foster lifelong connections and leverage the alumni network to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure.
