By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Members of Sito Gbethrome Secondary School Alumni |
The acting president of Sito Gbethrome Secondary School Alumni, Hon. Samuel Segun Sonayon, has said the school is not a cultism haven, as erroneously thought in the past.
Sonayon disclosed this at the second edition of 2006 set reunion held on Saturday at Suntan Beach, Badagry, Lagos State.
He said the purpose of the reunion is to restore unity among the people who have graduated from the school and to celebrate each other as they are all doing well in various spheres of life.
"I am urging the youths of Badagry West LCDA to be serious academically, as Sito is not a ground for cultism, as people erroneously think, as me and my colleagues are products of the school and we are doing great.
"We can't forget our alma mater, as we will be going there to leave a footprint to appreciate the school by giving back to the place that made us who we are, as this will further enhance the learning process of the students," he said.
Sonayon said notable individuals in Badagry West today are products of Sito Gbethrome, as the school has contributed so much to the development of Badagry West LCDA today.
"I am pleading with students in the border community to face their studies, as there are several activities in the area that could distract them from their education," he added.
Hon. Sejiro Idowu Mathew, leader of the House Badagry West LCDA, said he is glad to be among his seniors, as he graduated from the school in 2007. "In past years, people from this environment were seen as not educated or people who don't take education seriously, but today everybody wants to be educated, knowing its value."
The LCDA chairman, Hon. Henugbe Joseph, has impacted so much on education, and he Sejiro has also contributed to the development of education in the area.
"In our society today, if you're not educated, you will be limited. Everybody must try their best to make sure they are educated; we just have to start from somewhere, I struggled to be educated. Whatever the situation, Badagry West youths should make sure they are educated," Sejiro said.
Sanusi Ibukunoluwa Comfort, the acting vice president Sito Gbethrome Secondary School Alumni, said, I understand that some of us are staying far from Badagry, which makes it difficult for them to be here. But for those living withing Badagry axis, this reunion is for us to know ourselves.
She said, the members won't know themselves if they don't have a day together, "as there are advantages we can gain from ourselves. I urge those that are not here today to be part of this subsequently."
Aladeotan David, the National Youth Council Nigeria (NYCN) coordinator Badagry West LCDA, in his address emphasised unity, as that will help the union grow, and also encouraged the organisers to keep going with the spirit of unity. "Without unity, we can hardly do anything," he said.
"The number of Badagry West youths in schools now is higher than what we had in previous years because the orientation and awareness are now higher. The executive chairman Badagry West LCDA, Hon. Gbenu Joseph Henugbe, has also been doing enough to raise more youths.
He said the youths are more alert now to the need to get formal education, and a large number of youths are on the go to make sure they get adequate education.