By Mary Oluranti Abiodun
State High School Alimosho, Lagos Old Students Association held executive retreat penultimate Saturday October 17, 2020 at Medias College auditorium, Alaguntan, Lagos.
The event was an avenue for old students to network and interact with one another.
Meanwhile, the retreat was another remarkable one in the calendar of State High School Alimosho , Old Students Association as the stakeholders held retreat for the newly elected executive that will pioneer the affairs of the association for the next session .
A day retreat also involved students and the school prefects and guest speakers who apparently did justice to papers on Leadership, Capacity Building, and Communication skills.
In an interview with some past executive and speakers on the theme of the event.
Alhaja Ramat Olawunmi Akinola , 1991 set of State High School is of the view that true leaders are distinguished by a unique mental attitude that emanates from an internalised discovery of self . This creates self worth and a strong positive confident, self – concept.
Alhaja Ramat also advised students on board to see the Alumni as a mentor and key into the association’s vision for greater networking.
In his remarks on the event, Hon. Adejare Afolabi, a product of SHS 1995 set, former executive, two time committee chairman for love feast 2000 – 2001 respectively .
He said that , the essence of the retreat is to reflect on insight of what the Association is about. Which is to expose the newly elected EXCOS to their mandate and drive it accordingly.
Comr. Olaleye Adeleye of 1990 set said , today’s generation hold tomorrow . society is about give and take , what we receive from years back . time has come to give back to school and the journey had began. Comr. Adeleye advised students to be committed to their academics to ensure they finish well and be part of the association.
Engr. Adefemi Afolabi NSE, the head prefect of 1991 set , “Presented a paper on Leadership building” quote leadership is an Influence by John Maxwell. The attitude of passion is an indispensable attribute of leadership and serves as the driving force of motivation that sustain the focus of the leader. Engr. Afolabi said, Everything about Leadership heads to attitude, positive attitude can heads the association to a greater heights. Also bad attitude drained the association completely . stay on the positive thinking, for true leaders do not seeks power but are driven by a passion to achieve a noble cause.
According to Alhaji ( Hon) Rashid Kilani , a practical politician and educationist who spoke on communication techniques details the newly elected EXCOS that communication is Paramount in every organization as such, inability to communicate effectively can deform the association.
Information is to be given out to the members with honor. Hon Kilani also stressed that , Leadership communication attitude is more concerned with fully expressing itself than with attempting to proves itself to others. The true spirit of Leadership cultivates a self-control that regulates one’s focus and orders one’s life.
He advised them to be careful with choice of words , tasks them to be disciplined in their lifestyle because many are looking up to them as a leader. Leaders don’t just dream , they awaken and communicate their dreams .
The high point of the event was the delivering of a goodwill message by the past principal of the school, Mrs C. O. Atanda who was ably represented by Mrs Mary Oluranti Abiodun of 89 set, an old student and past exco of the great Association. In her speech the principal congratulated the students on the successful hosting of the retreat, she enjoined the students to always seek for the good of the school, to continue to be a good ambassador of the school and never forget the good virtues the school had instilled in them. She reminded all present that the whole essence of the old student association is to give back to the school, the teachers, themselves, their immediate society and the Nation at large. She said she is proud of all the old student and prays that they will all continue to excel in their various fields of endeavors.
The immediate president of the association Mr. Seun Komina enjoins all past students of the great schools to support his regime and its program to have a better old students experience.
Finally Mr Saheed Gbadamosi rounded up on the note that the retreat was necessary to rub mind with the new exco and improve the general well being of the association at Large.Mr Saheed Gbadamosi retreated the association’s commitment to the well being of all stake holders and members of the association.
