By Olusegun Samuel Precious
The 1986 set of Government Secondary School (GSS), Ilorin has called for urgent government intervention to rescue the 112-year-old historic institution, even as they marked their 40th anniversary with a major project.
The reunion, held on Saturday in Ilorin, brought together members of Set ’86, national executives of the GSS Ilorin Old Boys Association (GSSIOBA), government officials and stakeholders, with speakers lamenting the dilapidated state of infrastructure in the school.
President of the 1986 set, Alhaji Kayode Aremu, said the solar-powered automated borehole, fitted with two overhead tanks, was unveiled for the school’s staff quarters to address water scarcity.
According to him, staff and their families had previously been trekking to the far end of the school premises in search of water.
Aremu disclosed that the Set ’86 had also provided:
– 12 marker boards for five classrooms
– Two storage tanks and a water-fetching point for the junior section
– A printer to facilitate production of examination materials
– Financial assistance to members requiring medical treatment
He urged members to sustain the spirit of giving by contributing resources, ideas, expertise and time to projects capable of improving the school.
The National President of GSSIOBA and other speakers echoed the call, noting that despite being one of Nigeria’s oldest secondary schools founded in 1914, GSS Ilorin is facing serious infrastructural decay and needs urgent revamping to restore it to its pride of place.
The Old Boys stressed that while alumni interventions have been consistent over the years, government alone cannot be left out, and the Kwara State Government must prioritize the renovation of classrooms, hostels, laboratories and fencing to guard against encroachment.
The event was part of activities marking 40 years since Set ’86 left the school in 1986.
