•Old students move to rebuild Mafograms, offer best student US scholarship
By Tessy Igomu
Tucked inside a rundown street in Mafoluku, Oshodi, a densely populated part of Lagos, Mafoluku Grammar School (Mafograms) was for years in a dilapidated, sordid state. Devoid of modern learning facilities and infrastructure, with a poultry-like appearance, the school provided minimal educational succour for the hundreds of pupils that hinged their hope on it, as a step towards achieving their future dreams.
More heart-rending was the fact that the school was among the premier secondary schools established within the Oshodi-Isolo precinct in the early 1980s and reputed to have produced men and women of no small means. At the time the school was founded, an average student could stand his ground anywhere in terms of excellent academic performance.
Sadly, years of neglect by the authorities crippled the institution and made it go downhill from being a top-class learning institution to a distressed institution producing academic dregs.
And like other such schools scattered around the state, it was discovered that several appeals in the past to draw attention to this centre of learning, and to have it saved from total collapse have always met a brick wall.
When the reporter visited the school last year, its classrooms were littered with pieces of wood. The remains of the white boards installed in 2010 through the Lagos Eko Project, an initiative of the state government, were scattered here and there. The classrooms were without boards and pupils had to scribble notes written by teachers on blackened walls.
The ceiling boards, like the proverbial sword of Damocles, hung precariously overhead while rusty corrugated iron sheets swung to the rhythms of the wind. The school also lacked an equipped library and science laboratory.
Mafogram’s perimeter fence appeared weak, weather-beaten and ready to give way at any moment with gaping holes virtually taking up most of the space on it. The sad state of the school, according to stakeholders that spoke with the reporter, had started impacting negatively on the school’s academic record. Most of them maintained that a conducive teaching-learning environment would significantly contribute to the attainment ofthe school’s educational objectives, just as poor infrastructure would lead to decline in the quality of education.
The reporter’s observations were published in Daily Sun on Wednesday, July 27, 2016, under the headline “Worse than a pigsty: Lagos secondary school where students ‘learn’ in tears.”
However, as soon as the story hit the newsstand, it was immediately trailed by an avalanche of reactions from several quarters, especially from ‘Mac 96,’ the Class of 1996 alumni of Mafoluku Grammar School.
Driven by what they described as a sense of social responsibility, the old students swung into action and went all out to prove that their memories and ties with the school were still very strong and fresh by embarking on several projects.
Some of the projects were the institution of an annual international scholarship scheme for the overall best student to study in the United States, construction of a modern gate for the school, refurbishment of the fence and distribution of branded bags to three best students in junior and senior classes. A free medical check was also carried out for all the staff as well as students. The students and staff were also lavishly entertained with food and drinks.
Though the school gate and fence project was done months back to prevent the institution from being used as a hideout for criminals, it was formally unveiled recently alongside other projects in an elaborate ceremony graced by top government officials from the Lagos State Ministry of Education, representatives of Guinness Nigeria Plc., parents and traditional rulers, among others. During the programme, two pupils, said to have sustained good academic records over the years, were decorated as the school’s ambassador and one-day principal, respectively, while another pupil automatically qualified for the international scholarship scheme.
At the occasion, which held inside the school’s expansive compound, was the pioneer principal of the school, Mrs. Omobolanle Onobolu, accompanied by some of her staff back then. Aside from being honoured with an award by the ‘Mac 96’ alumni, she was also eulogised for laying a solid and endearing foundation that has stood the test of time.
While formally handing over the projects and donations to the school authorities, an alumnus and key facilitator of the initiative, Ranti Olujimi, counselled the students to pursue integrity above every other consideration in line with the motto of the school. He also assured them that success was a sure reward for those that aimed above the skies.
He noted that most of the old students were nostalgic about the time they spent in the school and have always held on to the memories as some of the best days of their lives.
“This is to show that that despite 20 years of leaving to pursue our various dreams, we still feel emotionally attached to our alma mater. The days and years spent here remain evergreen in our hearts, which is why you see us coming back, especially when we saw that saddening publication about the sordid state of our precious alma mater. In Mafoluku Grammar School, we gained so much more than just education; so we felt it was imperative that we try to give as much back,” he said.
Lawrence Amadi, another alumnus, maintained that the school’s academic record had remained unrivalled, adding that the academic success of the school remained excellent with testimonies of successful students from the school distinguishing themselves in their various careers around the world.
Another alumnus, Temitope Tosin-Adaje, who visited from the United States, harped on the importance of returning to one’s roots, adding that everyone had some role to play in determining the future and continued development of the younger generation, which goes beyond just giving, adding that every act of ensuring the survival of one’s alma mater could help someone to either have a complete change of life or gain the invaluable asset of quality education.
His words: “Helping by either donating funds or giving scholarships to deserving students could make a big difference and also help improve the quality of education offered in the school. In the absence of money, volunteering time, in terms of mentoring, could also help to ensure that the next generation of students remain focused and determined to pursue their passion in life.
“Oftentimes, we forget that our time is valuable and can be almost as important as any donation made. Anytime we give back, we tend to get a sense of satisfaction in knowing that we’re furthering the ideals of our alma mater that did so much to educate us and give us platforms to be better persons.”
Speaking on the impact the gesture would have on the pupils and teachers alike, Vivian Aka, another alumnus and the chief medical director of Marie-Claire Hospital, Jibowu Estate, Abule Egba, noted that efforts would be made to ensure the school is continuously given a facelift. The medical practitioner, who alongside her staff carried out the free medical checks for the staff, reiterated that the old students were committed to making their alma mater a reference point in terms of educational excellence.
Mrs. Onabolu, while appreciating the efforts and gesture of the old students, described the gesture as a dream come true, adding that she was happy to witness her students excelling and in a capacity to give back to the society.
Earlier, representatives of Guinness and officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Education had described the event as a landmark.
They implored other well-meaning individuals to key into the initiative of partnering with the Lagos State government on educational advancement.