PRIZE GIVING DAY CEREMONY OF OFFA GRAMMAR SCHOOL HELD ON TUESDAY 18TH JULY 2017 AT SHOFOLUWE HALL OF THE SCHOOL.

The Honourable Chairman of the day,
The Lady Chairperson,
The Guest Speaker,
His Royal Highness, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Oloyede Okikiola Esuwoye II, the Olofa of Offa,
Traditional and Honourary Chiefs,
The Offa Descendants’ Union,
The Eminent Old Students of this School (OGSOSA),
The Chairman and other Executive members of the P.T.A. and Highly Esteemed Parents and Guardians,
Fellow Principals (Serving and Retired),
Invited Guests,
Members of Staff (Teaching and Non-Teaching),
Entire Students Body,
Gentlemen of the Press
Graduating Students,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning to you all and a very warm welcome to our annual prize giving ceremony which is once again taking place today. It is with boundless joy and profound gratitude to the Almighty Allah that I once again welcome you with all my heart and on behalf of the staff and students of this school to this year’s speech and prize giving day ceremony. We are indeed grateful to you all for honouring this invitation despite the short notice. Accordingly may I seize this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation in particular to the Chairman and lady chairperson as well as the guest speaker who I am sure despite their busy schedule agreed to be in our midst to play the roles they are occupying today. Mr. Chairman and Lady Chairperson, as is customary of us every year, we have invited you to bear witness to the graduation ceremony of another batch of our final year students. It will be worthwhile to look out on you all.

As is traditional of us, I will try to highlight just some of the development which has happened at Offa Grammar School during the past one year. I am sure that seeing all this, you would like to congratulate staff and students for their hard work and the plentiful achievements.

opening

The school academic activities for the 2016/2017 session started on a promising note last year September. There are 37 arms of classroom consisting of 18 in the Junior School and 19 in the senior school. We lacked enough teachers but have more than enough classrooms (at least 18 classrooms are freely available). The resultant effect of this is that classrooms are over bloated with students with attendant inadequate supervision by teachers. The senior school has a current population of 1454 comprising of 712 boys and 742 girls while the junior school population is 1260 made up of 603boys and 657 girls. There are only 38 boarders.

The hither-to weak staff strength of 37 and 42 teachers for the senior and junior school respectively has been strengthened by the posting of teachers recruited under the Federal Government N’Power Job Scheme in January this year. This has boosted our staff strength to a reasonable level. We equally have the following numbers of ably supportive and complementary teachers. OGSOSA 4, PTA 7, Npower 25, NYSC 15 all making us to be quantitatively adequate but not qualitatively sufficient as we still suffer from inadequate teachers in the core subjects, particularly in English Language, Further Mathematics, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and CRK in the senior school. The junior schools do not have enough teachers in Mathematics, Arabic, French, Creative Arts, CRK and Basic Sciences. The school have got a mere 4 PTA employed security guards complemented with one government guard to patrol and secure the school from threats of any kind which is just not adequate considering her size, location and porous fence.

Discipline

Generally, the disciplinary tone of the school like previous years has been remarkable and quite reassuring. We have been experiencing peaceful atmosphere even though there have been reported cases of indiscipline. Our students were always placed under serious surveillance by a crack team of patriotic and dedicated teachers and management staff led by the Vice Principal Academic Mr. Raji Lasisi and Mr. Raji F.B. Parents of our students are enjoined to cooperate with the school to enable us instill discipline on to their children. A cursory look at our results in both co curricular and academics performance will buttress the submission that progress and success are the concomitants of discipline.

Co-Curricular Activities

The school encouraged active participation of her students in extra-curricular activities. The Press club, the Interact club, the Health club, the JETS club, the Road Safety Club, the Literary and Debating Society, the Fellowship of Christian Society (FCS) and Muslim Student Society (MSS) are some of the functional clubs in the school, I urge our teachers to make themselves available to be patrons/matrons of other dying clubs like the Geographical society, the Barbers Club, the Hairdressers club, the Business Club, the Bakers Club, the Young Farmers Club, the Forester Club and their like to revive them for the benefit of the students’.

Our achievements in co-curricular activities has been incredible. We are the best in Kwara State in Essay writing and science biased quiz competition winning cash prizes to the tune of N85,000 in November last year. We competed against exceptional strong schools to come first in another essay writing competition which was won by Ajala Samuel of SS 3 who emerged as Kwara best and went on to represent the state in ANCOPSS organised Mandatory and Continuing Professional Training (MCPT) programme for North Central Zone of Nigerian in Abuja last year. This year proved to be one of our most successful rally as we came first in the privately organised spelling bee competition held late last year. We came first as usual in the Kite Club organised quiz competition and carted home the Prize package. Recently, the trio of Anyigor Joy, Adeniyi Israel and Adeshina Fauziyat of SS2 took part in the Adesoye College, Offa PTA inter-school senior debate competition and came second with certificates and books for themselves, and a trophy for the school. We came third in the Adesoye College; Offa PTA organized Inter School Science Quiz Competition that took place in April this year.

We are also ever active in sports. We emerged as champions in both boys and girls in the 4th edition of Dkits Kwara State Secondary Schools Volley Ball competition. The successful boys and girls will be issued with their certificates today having collected their medals at Ilorin. The 5th edition of the DKits competition is also in progress and the school is the Zonal Champion to represent Offa Local Government in the Final scheduled to take place at Ilorin in September this year. In the 3rd edition of Adesoye Super 8 League Football Competition, the School was crowned the champion and clinched the cup medals and certificates. In the last edition of Offa Community School Sports Foundation Football Competition, solely funded by Prof. M.O. Oyawoye our revered father, the school senior team won the cup and players were decorated with gold medals, while the Junior Boys came second and got the silver medals. In another event (Marathon Race) organized by the same body (OCSSF) this year, we also produced two young marathoners namely Miss Oyeyemi O. Asmau of SS1 R1 and Master Amusan Adedamola of JSS 3F who got us some modest prize and certificates for themselves. All these feats does not come easy but for our huge investment and sacrifice of fund and resources to ensure the attainment of set targets.

The table below depicts our sporting exploits in invitation relays.

S/N	VENUE/HOST	POSITION
1.	Adesoye College, Offa	1st	2nd
2.	AUD college Offa	1st	1st
3.	O.C.C. Offa	1st Senior, 1st Junior	1st
4.	St. Clares Offa	1st	1st
5.	A.C.C. Offa	1st Senior, 1st Junior	1st
6.	Nawairu-udeen Grammar School	1st Senior, 1st Junior	3rd, 2nd

Above all, we have continued to stage interhouse competitions year to year and hope to do so in the nearest future. This has been as ever, just a brief snapshots of another remarkable year in the live of Offa Grammar School co-curricular activities. Again this is made possible with the outstanding efforts of our teachers and support staff whose commitment to the students enables them to make the progress they could not make in other schools to reach target and goals which would be unattainable elsewhere. Would parents and guests please join me therefore in giving the staff of Offa Grammar School a warm and richly deserved round of applause? Thank you; We are indeed a national beacon.

Academic Achievement

Mr. Chairman Sir, and the lady Chairperson ma, I hope you will join us in singing praise to God for continuing to crown all our efforts with befitting success. Once again, our students secured excellent examination results both at 2016 WAEC and NECO Examinations. Indeed, targets were exceeded with numerous individual students getting outstanding grades a fraction of whom have got immediate admission into recognised university. As a matter of fact two of our students namely Salaudeen Olayinka Habeeb and Kayode Majeed got distinction grade in WAEC while Salaudeen Olayinka Habeeb replicated the feat in NECO exam and got a worthy place in the school honours roll. Our school has indeed flourished over the past few years in particular and still has a consistent reputation for high academic achievement and excellence. The details of the 2016 WAEC and NECO results in respect of the school are highlighted in the tables below.

TABLE A

ÂÂ		2016 WAEC	NECO 2016
1.	No of candidates registered for the exam	310	201
2.	No of candidates with minimum of 5 credits including Eng. & Maths	286	199
3.	No of candidates with minimum of 5 credit with either Eng. & Maths	22	2
4.	No of candidates with minimum of 5 credits without Eng. & Maths	Nil	Nil
5.	No of candidates with 4 credits including Eng. & Maths	01	Nil
6.	No of candidates with 4 credits with either Eng. & Maths	01	Nil
7.	No of candidates without eng. & Maths.	Nil	Nil

TABLE B
ÂÂ		WAEC 2016					NECO 2016
S/N	SUBJECT	NO. OF CANDIDATES	NO WITH CREDIT	NO WITH PASS	NO WITH FAIL	% PASS	NO OF CANDIDATES	NO WITH CREDIT	NO WITH PASS	NO WITH FAIL	% PASS
1	MATHEMATICS	310	309	1	NIL	100	201	201	-	NIL	100
2	ENGLISH LANGUAGE	310	288	22	NIL	100	201	199	1	NIL	100
3	ECONOMICS	285	265	20	NIL	100	191	189	2	NIL	100
4	GEOGRAPHY	142	142	-	NIL	100	110	110	-	NIL	100
5	PHYSICS	169	169	-	NIL	100	123	123	-	NIL	100
6	CHEMISTRY	169	168	1	NIL	100	123	123	-	NIL	100
7	BIOLOGY	254	254	-	NIL	100	172	172	-	NIL	100
8	CIVIC EDUCATION	310	156	151	3	99.0	201	197	4	NIL	100
9	ACCOUNTS	75	75	-	NIL	100	42	42	-	NIL	100
10	GOVERNMENT	138	138	-	NIL	100	78	77	1	NIL	100
11	COMMERCE	75	72	3	NIL	100	42	42	-	NIL	100
12	IRK	50	50	-	NIL	100	26	26	-	NIL	100
13	CRK	14	13	1	NIL	100	10	10	-	NIL	100
14	LIT IN ENG.	63	61	2	NIL	100	36	36	-	NIL	100
15	YORUBA LANG	61	14	44	ÂÂ	95.1	35	35	-	NIL	100
16	FURTHER MATHS	21	21	-	NIL	100	12	11	1	NIL	100
17	FOODS AND NUTRITION	9	8	1	NIL	100	5	5	-	NIL	100
18	ANIMAL HUSBANDRY	169	169	-	NIL	100	123	121	-	2	98.4
19	CATERING AND CRAFT	62	4	58	NIL	100	36	28	2*	1	83.3
20	MARKETING	75	75	ÂÂ	NIL	100	42	41	1	NIL	100
21	HOME MANAGEMENT	7	5	2	NIL	100	ÂÂ	ÂÂ	ÂÂ	ÂÂ	ÂÂ
22	BOOK KEEPING	1	1	ÂÂ	NIL	100	ÂÂ	ÂÂ	ÂÂ	ÂÂ	ÂÂ

Challenges

A lot of challenges and multitude of quite shapeless problems are being faced by the school some of which were highlighted in my graduation speech of last year. The challenges are still there with the exception of the school library the rehabilitation of which has been taken up by the OGSOSA class of ’75 set and work is already in progress. I use this time and place to appreciate the set and to single out the efforts of Alhaji Lateef Kunle Ajeigbe the winner of the Zealous Kwara Youth Golden award and Moshood Ibrahim and others to embark on the project. The poor state of the school sport field notwithstanding, it is our hope and expectation that our revered father and icon Prof. M.O. Oyawoye will come to our rescue as he promised to undertake the rehabilitation of the field. The porous school fence is gradually being rehabilitated at critically damaged parts from the infrastructural levy paid by the students.

Other challenges like lack of good drainages and corresponding roads, inadequate teachers, porous fence, inadequate security personnel are waiting for intervention efforts of benevolent and kind spirited individuals and groups. On a happy note, I am very much pleased to announce that the school auditorium project embarked upon by the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) influenced by a son of the soil and a prominent member of Club 80, Offa Chief R.T. Lawal has been completed and is to be handed over to the school next tomorrow Thursday 20th July, 2017. You are cordially invited to the handing over ceremony that will take place at the auditorium site of the school at 11:00am.

Appreciating Our Current Benefactors

The progress of any institution depends on good facilities, supportive administrative and academic staff, a large pool of resources, responsive and academically gifted students as well as cooperative parents. We are indeed fortunate to have all these elements. Our students have great potential to be world beaters in academics. Our progress and exploit, is significantly tied to our surrogate parent (OGSOSA) who have consistently indentified with the school and stood by us like the rock of Gibraltar. It is my strong desire to highlight some of our benefactors majority of whom are of OGSOSA extraction for their maximum support and contributions that has made the work of administering the school easier for us. The school had been blessed with different sets and individuals all of whom have imbibed the culture of giving back to their Alma mater from their achievements.

Helps has come to the school in different forms, fold and sizes, from class set, individuals and as a group. I therefore deem it worth while to use this time and place to highlight the yearly contributions of our benefactors during the 2016/2017 academic session. The 1965/69 set are indeed setting the pace for the third time running with their annual award of robust prizes to deserving students and performing staff members. I must add Mr. chairman sir, that there awards had impacted positively over the years by stimulating and inspiring both staff and students to improve and work hard to clinch the juicy awards.

• - The 1991/96 set endowed annual cash prizes of N20, 000 in honour of a former principal Alhaji Arowosaye awarded to the most outstanding students cumulated at the end of SS 2 in each of the Sciences, Arts and Commercial class. In addition, the set presented books worth several thousand of naira all donated to the school in a re-union ceremony last year December.
• - The 2000 set presented a cash gifts of N10,000 to three final year students each in the senior and junior school to cushion the cost of 2017 registration for WAEC and BECE examinations respectively.
• - The 1970/74 set OGSOSA have for the 3rd time running maintained the payment of salary of one Mathematics and English teachers from January to July each year.
• - The 1981 set has come out this year to institute comprehensive awards of prizes in academic and affective domain to deserving students. We thank you a lot.
• Dr. Oduwaiye O.O. of the1973/1978 set donated several textbooks in core subjects like Mathematics, English Language, and Geography. Economics, Physics, chemistry, & Biology all of which have been stocked in the Library. In addition subject prizes in all the core subjects has been packaged from his Foundation to be awarded to the most outstanding student in each class
• The Old Students Association in diasporas most particularly Uk branch has been deeply supportive of the school by their regular and swift response to the challenges posed by the solar powered light they installed in the school any time we are faced with one.
• Several other class sets have indicated their willingness to embark on projects in the school. The new addition includes the 1990 set who have indicated interest in fabricating and fixing desk and chairs to the newly built auditorium. The pledge of the 1977 set which is kept to their chest for now should be unmasked as I urge them to hit the ground running to make their impact felt. Lawyer Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) a member of the 1977 is appreciated for sponsoring one of our former headgirl Adeniji Bibiana presently in Part II of her law studies at the University of Ilorin. We are still looking toward him to institute the scholarship to cover the second student Miss Jimoh Halimat, our immediate past headgirl who is equally in part I of her law programme at same university. The interest of the 1978 set to revive the school orchard that seems forlorn should be reawakened. I recall with joy the contributory role of some individual old students namely Alhaji Tunde Abdulkareem of the 1967/71 set who donated a sum of N60, 000 to the school for the development of the mosque as well as the visit of some group of christian old students to donate materials for the chapel. A sum of N25,000 was donated by Mr. Folorunsho Oloruntunde of the Class of 77 set and use for the purchase of text books stocked in the school library.
• The subterranean activities of the 1984, 1986, and 1988 sets are equally noted as in a matter of time will manifest into a worthwhile project in the school. It is equally worthy to recall the past roles of the 1996, 1994, 1995, 1965, 1961 set whose activities have been mentioned in my previous speeches and addresses. Other sets are implored to make their mark to identify with the success story of the school.
• The Ilorin branch of OGSOSA has been very supportive and a wonderful Alliesof the school administration as they packaged award/prizes to be distributed to most outstanding students in various classes. Very big thanks to them. I use this time to single out the role of Alhaji Ahmed Okoalaro for the trophy he donated over the last three years awarded to the most outstanding student redeemed with N5000 cash to the student yearly. The National body of OGSOSA the apex body under which all the sets operates deserved a big thanks not only for their dependable role in improving the staffing situation of the school since 2012 and timely and early payment of OGSOSA recruited staff salary but for encouraging the different sets and branches to undertake projects in the school as well as the subject Teachers performance award based on NECO and WAEC results that was instituted since two years ago which has seen not only our Teachers competing vigorously to clinch the award but the students competing seriously and stimulated to perform better in their exams. As usual we must thank the Abuja branch of OGSOSA and their leader Alhaji Wasiu Alayande for their regular donations of cash/prizes to the school during important school ceremonies as well as the home branch of OGSOSA led by Alhaji Jimson Salako for their watchful attitude, support and advice to the school.
• It is rare to find a scholarship program that will support students all the three years of senior secondary school but Otunba (Dr) Mathew Oyin Jolayemi, Foundation for Indigent Students in Kwara and Lagos States did just that by awarding comprehensive and mouth watering scholarship of N60,000 every year to three students so far namely Elemosho Mohammed Babtunde of SS3 which started since 2014/2015, Adeniyi Israel Adekunle of SS2which started since 2015/16 and recently Jamiu Aishat of SS1 who is just been informed of her award to start from 2017.18. They will in addition be sponsored to the tune of one hundred and fifty thousand naira per academic session if they secure admission into any university in Nigeria. In the same vein, Honourable Hassan Oyeleke, the leader of the Kwara State House of Assembly will as from the beginning of the 2017/2018 academic session in September this year be instituting a scholarship awards to 70 brilliant but indigent students of Essa, Shawo and Igbodun extraction cutting across all the 32 public secondary school in Offa with OGS allocated ten beneficiaries. The awards will be packaged with a set of school uniform for each beneficiary
• It is worthy to mention some organizations and individuals that have done one thing or the other to develop the school. The ODU North America (ODUNA) under the leadership of Dr. Adegboyega Abdulkareem donated a set of computer system to all ODU schools including OGS in January this year. They in addition gave scholarship to three students in each of the school to cushion the WAEC/NECO registration fee. One of our students/Scholar HABEEB SALAUDEEN clinched the 2017 ODUNA scholarship of N50, 000 for securing admission to read Medicine at the University of Ilorin. The Archers club of Offa awarded scholarship to indigent but brilliant students which saw Olanipekun Mariam of SS and Badmus Abdulsamad of JSS benefiting from the award this year. The kite club has contributed to the educational development of public secondary schools in Offa through their annual quiz and debate competition of which OGS remain consistent winner over the years.
• The following individuals have always featured in school important ceremonies and have donated awards in form of materials and cash regularly. They are worthy of being mentioned. They are Mr. Salam Maroof, Dr. Lateef Fatai, Dr. Mrs. Nazimat Surajudeen Bakinde, Alhaji Prince Kehinde Adegboye, Prince Kola Oyawoye, Deacon Omotayo, and host of others too numerous to mention.

Time and place will not allow me to mention all the individuals that made the school to be what we are but I want to assure you that your descendants will not be tired of reading your contributions to this citadel of learning.

 

A Word to the Graduating Students

And Its Time to say Good Bye

As you stand on the brink of moving into life beyond Offa Grammar school, change will be inevitable. It is inevitable and indeed gratifying to see that our Graduating class of 2017 matured over time and became skill and ready to tackle and further their life long education. It is inevitable that structures, processes and relationship will change and it is inevitable that things may seem a little different in the years ahead. But as we looked back today, on a journey that started out with hesitant and tentative steps, we see just how far these young ladies and gentlemen have progressed. It had been an honour and privileges being part of their journey and one which has been imbued with wonderful memories. So ladies and gentlemen, as you face and tackle the inevitable changes, hold true to yourself. Remember to hold onto your value system and most importantly your humanity. It is this quality that will guide you further on your journey. Today’s achievements my fade or even be forgotten, the applause may become a distant memory and your certificate and medals may gather dust on a shelf or in a drawer. But you will always be remembered. You have the potential to be all you want to be as I have always admonished you on the assembly ground; “Your destinies is in your own hands”. There is a big world out there waiting for your talents. Please keep in touch with the school. We will always be glad to see you and anxious to hear your news. Every graduate here today has worked very hard to make the best of themselves. Some of you were made to repeat classes to rebuild your academic capacities. It was indeed a tortuous slippery and spiky journey. Thank God. You made it finally. You have persevered and worked towards your goals in a determined way. You have allowed the school motto “LABOUR OMNIA VINCIT” meaning Perseverance Overcome Every Difficulty to be the beacon of your guiding light always guiding your young minds, radiating enlightment and compassion, enabling you to achieve your goal to become a graduate after the completion of your course.

According to an Indian Swami Vivekands. He urges you. “Stand Up” be bold, be strong, take the whole responsibility on your shoulders and know that you are the creator of your own destiny. All the strength and success you want is within yourself.”

Henry Ford wisely said “Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, and working together is success.” As we look back over the last few years certainly there was a beginning, thankfully there was also progress and yes undeniably, we have been successful. The end result ladies and gentlemen of our coming together and working together is the graduating class of 2017. Congratulations! We are inordinately proud of you. May your years ahead continue to be characterized by empathy compassion objectively and a willingness to take risk. May you always lead by example and work hard to make your success be many and your tribulations be few and far between. (Sit down)

Appreciation

Let me thank all the parents for their willingness and sacrifice to help the school. You have given us so much of your time, giving talks, responding to summons, invitations to PTA meetings and supporting your children and wards. Active participation in your child’s education are hugely appreciated by all the staff. We have valued your input at all times.

Academic has been and will continue to be our first priority. We are very fortunate to have an outstanding faculty and suitable infrastructure and staff who work diligently to realize the vision of all round excellence. OGS is a school with future inside. The supportive infrastructure motivates and empowers the students to be lifelong learners, productive members of the society and good human beings. The founder of this school were an amazing group. Offa has been a fine town with wealthy background. A lot of money was spent in setting up the school. The school was built to educate the people of the town as well as other Nigerians and give them the chance to live great lives. Ever since, the school stood and is still standing for academic excellence, maximizing the potentials of each child while contributing to the community. These guiding principles have remained and still guide the school to its present status.

On behalf of the staff and the entire student body of this noble school, I am once again expressing our inordinate appreciation to all individuals and groups that have been part of our success story. Your assistance in financial, moral, materials and even in advisory capacities has enables us to give the best we can in terms of sound education and moral upbringing to these children.

Our usual thanks goes to the spiritual head of Offa Kingdom, Kabiyesi Oba Mufutau Okikiola, Ilufemiloye, Esuwoye II, the Olofa of Offa, the Offa Descendants Union (ODU) at home and the National body, the various Government agencies, the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Ministry of Education, the Teaching Service Commission, the Quality Assurance Bureau, the Local Government Education Authority, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the Nigerian Police Force, the Civil Defence Corps, the Medical Directors of Offa Specialist Hospital, the Federal Road Safety Commission, the Boys Scout, the Vigilante and other Security Outfits for their contributions to the continued existence of the school. It is revel-ant also to reiterate once again, the remarkable performance and sacrifice of my staff and supporting staff members for their responsible behavior that has encouraged harmonious co-existence in the school. They are once again a beacon of hope.

Conclusion

In concluding this speech I wish to re-quote the saying of William Shakespeare in his Seven Ages of Man “ All the world is a stage, and all the men and women merely players, They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts His acts being seven ages…….”

I use this medium to express my heartfelt thanks for the opportunity given to me by the people so invested to do so to serve this school. I hope that History will be kind to me and the team that worked with me to pilot the affairs of school while my tenure lasted. Offa Grammar School will continue to live hundred of years to come and will continue to churn out potential leaders in various fields of human endeavour. Offa Grammar School shall never perish. Amen. Thank you and God bless.

ALHAJI IBIYEYE BOLA ABDULWAHAB	MR. BADMUS R.O.
Principal SSS	Principal JSS