For reverting the name of their alma mater from St John’s High School to St John’s Grammar School, Ile-Ife, its old students have given kudos to the Osun State Governor, Isiaka Oyetola, for listening to the yearnings of the people.

President of St John’s Old Boys Association, Dr. Festus Oshoba, in a letter of appreciation said the parents and the alumni of these schools were relieved that wise counsel prevailed at last.

“By this singular act, you have demonstrated that yours is a government that values the opinion of the people, particularly the alumni community. It must be emphasised that the alumni of various schools are investing massively in the renovation and upgrade of their schools but their enthusiasm was dampened by the strange names that the schools were given.

“In our particular case, a school that was founded in 1962 as a male school was changed to a school for boys and girls overnight.”

Oshoba urged the Oyetola administration to take the progressive step of encouraging alumni associations to set up trusts that can take over the running of their schools to reduce the financial burden of the government

“It is on record that the return of schools to missions by the administration of Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos State freed up resources and gave the missions the opportunity to administer the schools according to their traditions,” he said.

He also invited the Governor to the official commissioning of projects funded by old students of the school adding that it would provide convincing proof that the alumni are already partnering with the government for the provision of basic facilities and would do even more if given more responsibilities.

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