Supporting Your Alma Mater – The Option Of A Necessity

Being a Keynote Address presented by ‘Gbolahan Afolabi, President/CEO EDUCAIDES LLC, on the 2018 Annual Convention and 5^thAnniversary of Notre Dame Grammar School, Usi-Ekiti (NODACO), Ekiti State on July 21, 2018 at CAC Salvation Center, Randallstown, Maryland

I want to thank you all for this honor bestowed on me to be your key note speaker at the 5^thAnniversary of your distinguished institution. I am indeed humbled by your invitation and will do everything within my power to add value to the quality of your anniversary which you started yesterday.

First, I want to pay reverence to my Bishop Dr Kayode Fanilola under whose religious umbrella I have been for close to two decades in this country and his wife Pastor Mrs Funmilayo Fanilola. When he called me to participate in this august occasion being held in July, it took me way back to my professional days back home as part of my daily schedule, I had to speak on behalf of the government, an organization or an individual as an image manager, first to the then presidency as a Federal Information Officer and later the Head of Public Relations Department of WEMA Bank Plc, a position I held until I finally relocated to the US about 18 years ago.. Also, my tribute and respect to your National President, Dr Adelaja Adelugba whom I am proud to be associated with in Baltimore here for quite a while and his better half, Mrs Adelugba.

Secondly, I must confess from the onset that I am neither a professional nor do I have any degree in alma mater studies. In my public speaking days, the first thing to do in any assignment is to study the background of the proposed audience and do some research in the topic, in some cases capitalizing on the ignorance of the audience to the topic to polish and elucidate on the speech. But going through the list of NADECO members and their qualifications, it will be foolhardy and unwise to bamboozle this audience with catchy phrases and speeches or flamboyant idioms or slogans that cannot be defended.  I will therefore, not attempt to make an incursion into any academic exercise to save myself from embarrassment or academic suicide.

So, when I was approached by Bishop (Dr) Fanilola to speak on this topic, it was basically out of his knowledge for my active participation in one of my alma mater which you will know in the course of my presentation.

In doing this, I want to start by briefly presenting my background in the inverted pyramid style. I believe this would enable you to actually follow my presentation mentally or otherwise vis-à-vis the topic:

Presently, I am Owner and Administrator of a Residential Service Agency and an Educational Consultant to the State of Maryland haven metamorphosed from various professions ranging from teaching and counselling. These are positions I took up on relocation to The United States. Actually, my background is in Image Management. My career as a spokesperson started in 1982 as Special Assistant (House Matters and Protocol) to the then Clerk of the National Assembly, later to Office of the President as a Federal Information Officer and Finally to the Head of Public Relations Department in Wema Bank Plc.

Now, to my Alma Maters. While working as a Federal Information Officer in Ibadan, I obtained a Master’s Degree from the University of Ibadan in Political Science in 1988, specializing in International Relations after my Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the University of Lagos in 1982. My secondary Education was in Igbobi College, Lagos, the school famous for turning out noble Nigerians like Late Dr Taslim Elias, former Chief Justice of Nigeria and one of the jurists of the World Court in Hague, Professor Ayo Banjo formerly of the University of Ibadan, Governor Kayode Fashola formerly of Lagos State, Chief Olu Falae, Chief Alex Ibru, Professor Ade Ajayi, Honorable Femi Gbajabiamila ,Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative in Ethiopia and of course  Professor ‘Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s Vice President. I could go on and on but for time. It is because of the fact that many alumni of the school occupy envious positions in the society that a lot of parents often struggle to place their children there. Not only was that the case in my situation but both my parents were educationists that saw education as the only path to surviving this labyrinth called ‘world’.

Army Children School and Corona School were my primary educational institutions.

A common factor among all the educational institutions you attended is that they have molded and developed you in one form or the other. Not only have they imparted knowledge of the skills you have acquired over the years, they have also infused some perceptions such as Morales, Confidence, Respect and Gratitude, among others. In other words, they have all given you survival kits which is sustaining you today. However, like any other educational institution, not all Notre Dame Grammar School old boys are in the position you are. Some either did not complete the journey through school for reasons like finances, nonchalance, truancy or the wicked hands of death.

Different societies have different choice of which alma mater to support. My experience, for example, is that participation in High Schools and Grammar Schools is higher in Africa than the US where most of the focus is on Universities also known as colleges. However, I believe the intention to join forces to support the growth of any past educational institution is basically the realization of which one of them you feel had the most impact educationally, socially or otherwise.

To me, this does not prove a point that one educational institution is/was more important than the other. They all played important parts in fortifying our resilience to forge through life’s journey well prepared to meet its challenges and complexities. For me, like NODACO I chose Igbobi College basically because It is the institution that, after my primary school education, I spent my longest years as a student (7 years – ordinary and advanced level). Igbobi College also has one of the strongest collection of old boys in high places in Nigeria and I wanted to identify with them. And if I am to be sincere, it was there that made the man called ‘Gbolahan Afolabi aka ‘Kongi’ an alias that my immediate brother and I still bear till today.

Both the Universities that I attended just solidified what Igbobi College built in me.

Like NODACO, Igbobi College has its roots in in the activities of religious organizations. It was founded by the Anglican and Methodist Churches in 1932 in Lagos Nigeria. ICOBA (Igbobi College Old Boys Association) is the acronym for the collection of its alumnus’s in Lagos, United State of America, Canada, United Kingdom and some pockets in South Africa and some other countries. It is by far one of the biggest collection of old students that support the school in every aspect of its needs and like I said I will share some and others that I know with you.

The common and sometimes, only option that a lot of alumnus’ have in returning a favor to their alma mater is usually through building renovations which I see as frail and what I would call, for the purpose of this paper ‘Decorative’. I have gone through the laudable achievements of NODACO like the ICT building, Femi Oyeobu Library and the school principals house.

I am sure you have also supported NODACO with some finances but considering the heights you have all attained in life you can do a lot much more than that.

You will not be where you are without Notre Dame and it behoves on you not only to ensure that Notre Dame maintains that status that you met it but also gives present and future students the same edification it gave you to attain the heights that you have.

Like I promised earlier on, I would like to share with you some other ways you can support NODACO not only to maintain its qualitative status but to increase awareness and greater participation:

1. Organization of Merit Awards: NODACO can set up merit awards in the school in the name of a distinguished past staff/student. Not only will this enhance its visibility, it will increase membership and participation. Adelaja Adelugba merit award for excellence in science or Kayode Fanilola award for professional excellence would be a very good idea. ICOBA has instituted these types of awards which is presented to deserving student or almnus every Founder’s Day over the years and this has not only honored past students but has instilled a sense of belonging in present students who strive to achieve that status on passing out of the school. Some examples of such categories are:

• Professional Achievement
• Entrepreneurial Excellence
• Petroleum Engineering
• Civil Engineering

2. Lectures/Interhouse Debates and Quizzes in the name of a living and/or deceased old student. At ICOBA, we organize lectures for old students that have distinguished themselves in various fields. For example, there is Dr Teslim Elias Lecture on ……….
3. The issue of publicizing any activity of NODACO cannot overemphasized. Not only does this heavy assignment fall on the shoulder of the PRO/Social Secretary but all members to direct the attention of any event to his attention. His office should be able to liaise with the media especially local media outlets in Nigeria especially in Ekiti State. The power of the press in lifting up the activities of NODACO is important to generate awareness. In line with this point, there should be constant communication and rubbing of minds with other branches.
4. Encouraging and Supporting old students who want to participate in local and/or international politics. When ICOBA learnt that Professor Osinbajo was involved in the political terrain of Nigeria, all machineries were put in place by the who is who in Nigerian politics who are old students to ensure that he achieve his aim. The story of that achievement is history.

During his visit to Baltimore before his election, I was able to meet with him at Jesus House RCCG to let him know of ICOBA’s support but also the support of another ethnic group that I belong to in Baltimore.

5. Sharing your Expertise: In some societies, professionals such as doctors and accountants share their expertise. NODACO can arrange for a where their expertise can be shared with present and past students also in a zeal to curry their flavor and increase visibility.
6. Setting up an endowed scholarship for a student, group of students and/or an alumnus. This topic aligns with my second point above. This should also attract wide publicity
7. Establishing a structure like NODACO HOUSE in Usi-Ekiti and countries where there are branches where members can meet constantly not only to socialize but to rub minds on related issues. It would also enhance active participation of members children.

8. Establishing an avenue to sell the schools souvenirs and memorabilia such as sweaters, ties, hats bearing the school colors and logo. This could be located in the NODACO HOUSE or an agreed location.
9. Introducing NODACO Partnership initiative where old students are offered ways and platform to sponsor and support the ideas and projects of the institution. This is closely related to my fifth point. Hire other Alumni or assist other old students to achieve laudable heights. By this, he will also be carrying the school’s toga along in whatever capacity he finds himself and in turn polish the image of NODACO.
10. Members of NODACO home and abroad, should be admitted into any government institution that is set up to facilitate and improve the educational sector. By this, they will able to participate physically in the development of the school facilities and curriculum. Alumni of NODACO should be in the Board of Education of Ekiti State Government or stakeholders in any institution set up to monitor Ekiti State Educational Institutions.

For example, the quick intervention of ICOBA members in the corridors of power and within the Anglican-Methodist community in Nigeria saved the college great embarrassment when the then Lagos State Governor Lateef Jakande wanted to privatize the school and thereby degrade its position in the nation and indeed Africa’s educational standing.

Other points which I have not identified with ICOBA but which I researched into are:

11. Purchasing Real Properties, Securities or Deposits in the name of the school.

12. Naming your alma mater as primary or secondary beneficiary of your IRA retirement plan or Life Insurance
13. Including a project in the school in your name in your will.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I promise you the above list is not exhaustive. I am sure there are other ways that you can explore to give back to the institution that made you what you are today. NODACO is very young and stands to gain a lot from the activities of other bodies of old students of other educational institutions. From what I have seen in on the 2 occasions that you have held your gatherings in Baltimore, the camaraderie and the zeal of each and every one of your members, there is no doubt that NODACO is reaching greater heights and will definitely achieve it.

Sapientia Per Scientiam.

I thank you.