4th Annual Convention – Dallas 2017

In Attendance

1. Sesan Ogunleye
2. Captain Abiodun Awoyomi
3. Elder Gabriel Aderemi Fayomi from Nigeria
4. Oso Stephen Babatope from Nigeria
5. Chief Francis Alonge from Nigeria
6. Professor Adeseko Ayeni from Nigeria
7. Barrister Amirekolade K.A from Nigeria
8. Chief Ayodele Akande
9. Pastor Jide Dada
10. Adelaja Adelugba
11. Bishop Kayode Fanilola
12. Pastor (Mrs.) Funmi Fanilola
13. Pastor (Mrs.) O. Akinyemi
14. Pastor Emmanuel Akinyemi
15. Gbenga Faleye
16. Olawande Akande
17. Christianah Ogunleye
18. Christianah Oyenike Fayomi from Nigeria

Meeting started at 11AM by Chief Akande as the moderator.

Opening prayer was by Pastor Jide Dada.

Chief Akande said the few people in attendance should not discourage us at all and as usual thanks our wives and others, especially those from Nigeria for coming and encouraged all to participate in our discussions. 

President speech

All members were welcomed and apologized on behalf of those who could not attend. Appreciation for those visiting from Nigeria was given. Hosts were thanked. Recap of successful Founders Day held in Nigeria hosted by the 1971 set, was a good foundation that other sets should copy and even surpass. He advised members to cooperate with class members in order to successfully host events. He made mention of those who received awards from the National Association in Nigeria: four from North America out of six Bishop Fanilola, Engineer Adelusi, Dr. Olayele and Eng. Adelugba

Key Points

• How to take care of the Nigerian guests, North America cannot shoulder all their responsibility
• Membership drive to boost attendance
• Representation of North American Chapter at the Founders Day Celebration in Nigeria
• Support of the Association

Chief Akande encouraged members to reach out to members who were not in attendance this year, especially eight families who consistently attend meetings: Dr Omolewa, Pastor Familoni, Deacon Adeola, Engr. Adelusi, Mr Funso Ojo, Deacon Oluremi, Mr Omoremi, Engr. Dare Adelugba, Sir Opobo etc..

Minutes of the last meeting were not available as the assistant secretary was not present. Bishop Fanilola summarized the content of the meeting instead:

• Convention was well attended
• Sir Egunjobi (Former Principal) was present and was honored
• How to impact the school was discussed
• Founder’s Day celebration
• Financial obligation of individuals
• Bishop Fanilola’s autobiography was launched to raise money for the school
• Church service in the morning in the hotel

Issues Discussed During Meeting

• Deplorable condition of the school premises:
  • Roof of ICT lab and library leaking.
    • Fixing of the roof was quoted to cost a) partial 1.2 and 2) full 1.4 million Naira
  • Lack of chairs and tables in the library
  • Recently built toilets not in good condition
  • Suggestions that the leakage of the roofing should be taken urgently as an emergency by Bishop Fanilola.
  • Prof Ayeni raised the issue of economic situation in Nigeria was very bad, as he made us to realise that the burden of 1971 founder day celebration was carried by mostly the USA members, that we should not look at the crowd but people who are willing to contribute. He cited an example of Doherty Memorial who has introduced boarding school at Ijero and their president reside here in USA.
  • Honorable Amirekola mentioned that this was the first time he would see a constructive discussion about the roofing project/building project, and was very optimistic that it would be done
  • Captain Abiodun Awoyomi suggested if he could supply part of bundles of iron roofing to be deposited at school but was dissuaded from doing so because of the nature of our people back home. Capt Awoyomi and Mr Stephen Osho both 1982 set suggested that, the 1982 set would work in conjunction with North America Chapter to complete the project
• Issue chosen to be addressed was the fixing of the leaking roofs because water damage of books and computers makes the situation urgent
  • 1982 set has the same goal of repairing the damaged roofs
  • The two entities will work together to resolve the issue
  • Captain Awoyomi and Mr Osho assured the house that 1982 set would join hands with North America to complete the project
• Five-member panel was selected to supervise the renovations
  • Anthony Babatunde Otuola as the chairman
  • Barrister Amirekola as the legal advisor
  • Samuel Ajayi
  • Tunde Ayeni
  • Morris Ogundana, school prefect for his set and former school principal
• The president of the national association, Professor Bodunde and the principal of the school are to be contacted about the renovation of the two buildings
• It was suggested that those who did not attend the meeting should donate 50% of their plane ticket to the association
• Ogunleye promised to raise $1000 from friends and colleagues for the project

General Election

It was unanimously decided that the current executive board will continue for the next three years. The motion was moved by Prof Adeseko Ayeni supported by Pastor (Dr) Emmanuel Akinyemi and Pastor Jide Dada. The General Secretary thanked the house for the vote of confidence in the executives.

Account of Finances

• Bishop Fanilola discussed the dwindling finances of the association and encouraged members to pay their dues ($200 per year)
• An account has been created for the association
• Municipal Employee Credit Union
• Routing Number: 252076468
• Account Number: 2119103745
• Check/cheques/money to the association to be written and paid to NOTRE DAME GRAMMAR SCHOOL USI
• 501C is ongoing and about to be sent to the IRS; members will be notified upon completion
• Barrister Amirekola made the suggestion for a will to save for a rainy day and advised individuals to make a plan for the future
• Conditions at home are deplorable and only a few people contributed to the 1971 set Founders Day

General Considerations

Senior Prefect of 1965 set Eng. Ojo Adebayo who was visiting in America called in to greet and wish us good deliberations.

Pastor Chris Adetoro of the church hosting the event, Bread of Life, RCCG Garland, came to greet and pray.

The planning of the next meeting will be postponed until the assistant general secretary is contacted for the possibility of hosting in Chicago on July 20-22, 2018. If he is unable, the meeting will be held in Maryland.

Elder Aderemi Fayomi encouraged us to work together as a group to move the association forward both at home and abroad, and would speak later today about his own experience in the school at the dinner with the Guest speaker, Prof Adeseko Ayeni.

Barrister Amirekola thanked our hosts, the Dallas Fort Worth members: Pastor (Dr) Emmanuel Akinyemi, Dr Sesan Ogunleye, Mr Gbenga Faleye and Capt Abiodun Awoyomi for successfully hosting us.

He said he would personally meet the principal to brief him about our discussion and resolutions. He promised to make sure the project is well executed.

The general meeting is quarterly, on the last Saturday of January, April, July and October at 5.00 pm EST respectively

Meeting adjourned.