Distinguished Old Girls,
As we come to the end of our tenure with a successful e-election, the first in our history, I give glory to God for seeing us through. I also pray that at this difficult time of the coronavirus pandemic, God will be there for us, protecting us all and all those who are at the frontline, fighting this pandemic.
I thank you all dear OG MGs for your support over the last five years. Serving as your president meant many things to me; a learning experience, an opportunity to serve, and give back to my Alma Mater and increase my circle of influence. I am grateful for the opportunity and experience, the testing which has made me a better person. It was indeed an honour and a privilege.
When I took early retirement in June 2014, I never saw MGHS presidency in the radar. I just wanted to finish my term as Protem Secretary, working with Mrs Stella Jackson (our Protem President for 10 years) who kept the association going when we were almost at ground zero. I was elected to the post of President unopposed during the 135th anniversary. Perhaps I was entrusted with the task because people saw my commitment to the association and the school. Come rain or shine, I was with mama Jackson; Indeed, I learnt a lot under Mama and now I seize this opportunity to thank her for the work she did to hold our association together. I also thank God for the foundation laid by our past Presidents – Mrs Anne Oseni, Late Mrs Foluke Mudasiru and Late Mrs Awobo-Pearse.
My first reality check on the job was the death of Tinu Buko (of blessed memory), our elected General Secretary. I was devastated. Ironically the night before, I had tried to reach her on association matters, not knowing she was on her death bed. God rest her soul.
When we took over, the membership of the association was lean, yet we were ambitious to do so much. We had to deal with the church, the school management, the Board of Governors (which I became an automatic member of), Old Girls across many generations, grow the membership nationally, and reach out to the diaspora.
I could only perform because you trusted and supported me, and God backed me up. He saw my genuine desire to lift our Alma Mater up despite my weaknesses. I called on Him many times when storms arose; He answered by calming the storms. The job was not easy but as I knelt before God in prayer, I also knelt before our senior citizens, they showed me love and prayed for me. They all became my mummies. Mummy Payne and my other Mummies, Thank you so much.
The association’s issues with the church were daunting but we rose to the challenge. We visited the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Samuel ‘Emeka Kanu Uche, JP on several occasions. We were always well received, though our requests were not always granted. However, the Prelate supported us and encouraged us with prayers particularly on our project. Thank you, sir!
The good of our school was at the core of our service. Thank God for the leadership of the school, first under Mrs Ruth Awobiyi, then Dame Oluyemisi Idowu. MGHS is blessed with committed leaders who are genuinely interested in the growth of the school. The principal’s door was always open to us.
On September 8th, 2018 when we walked in the rain to raise funds, the Principal and her team were there. What commitment! Thank you, Dame Oluyemisi Idowu, Mr Joseph Oyegbile, and Mrs Abimbola Alli and all your teaching and non-teaching staff who assisted us immensely and showed us great respect. Thanks to all your students too. You supported our initiatives with the current students; we introduced the sash to outgoing students, introduced the non-uniform day to raise funds, your support during the demolition exercise is on record. We appreciate the good relationship.
By God’s grace, our EXCO achieved much for the Association.
- We introduced annual reunions; this helped to grow our numbers and the interest.
- We were there for our members; brought an MG face to their functions wearing our sashes which we introduced. We were a family, standing shoulder to shoulder through thick and thin.
- We came together to give back to the school, and where there were differences, to prayerfully resolve them
- Groundwork for the construction of the OGA block is done, execution should begin soon
- The demolition occurred on April 20, 2019, and fundraising is ongoing globally.
- We bequeath the responsibility of selection of builders and oversight of the construction to the new EXCO!
- A draft constitution is ready for review.
- We have built rapport with some other alumni associations, there is scope to work with more.
- We have conducted a seamless online election and just handed over online. My prayer is that our country Nigeria will soon take a cue from our example – no more standing in long queues! Special thanks to our electoral committee headed by Mrs Esther Benson the entire committee members. Special thanks also to Shade Ogundairo for her technical expertise on the online elections and online handover. Yes, we did it!
We have a strong association, anywhere you choose to look, MGHSOGA is trending. Glory to God!!
I thank all the committee Chairpersons, Mrs Esther Benson (Electoral) Eng Aramide Adeyoye (Tech/Building team), Dr Ronke Dawodu (Sept 2018 Walk), Mrs Bunmi Morenikeji (Fund Raising), Mrs Tinu Odugbemi (Media Team), Mrs Abidemi Olawumi (Reunion 2016 & 2017), Mrs Funto Igun (Reunion 2018), Major Gen Tilewa Amusu (Reunion 2019), Mrs. Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya (Constitution) Mrs Funmi Owoade(demolition ceremony). Also, thanks to Ayo Jaiyesimi for allowing the students (and some old girls) perform her play ITAN during the 140th anniversary; this was sponsored by the 1976/77 combined set. And to Mrs Fehintola Adade for helping us recruit our Auditors.
Many thanks to all EXCO members, my two VPs – Bisi Olajoyegbe and Anne Rinu, Secretaries – Yetunde Abdulkarim and Ope Orukotan, Treasurer – Labake Peters, Financial Secretary – Abidemi Olawumi, Social Secretary – Mrs Funmi Owoade, Welfare – Mrs Bisi Adewusi.PRO/Liaison officer – Ope Ishiekwene and our Legal Advisor – Dame Moji Sodipo. Thanks for your support over the years. Our sisters in diaspora – led by Bukky Durojaiye (UK) and Koko Olugbenga (USA) deserve special mention too. We all toiled together to raise the bar. We might not have agreed over every issue, but we delivered and ended well. Thank you!
I thank my family for their support; they tolerated me and took interest in our activities. “MG” was another name for our home!
My very special thanks are reserved for every single old girl, for the sisterhood and love that bind us together. You helped me achieve, through your advice, support, attendance, contributions. The criticisms I received kept me on my toes. However, if whilst discharging the duties you bestowed on me, I had offended you, I ask for your forgiveness.
MGHS OGA is now truly global with established structures. Our President Major General Tilewa Amusu (Rtd.) and her team have their work cut out. Please support them. Remember them in your prayers. As I step back relieved of these duties, let’s continue to build at peace together, a school for future days.
It’s time for me to enjoy my retirement. In fact, I just retired today!
Love always
Yomi Afolabi
Outgoing President – MGHSOGA