OLD students of Fatima College, Ikire, Osun State have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give an executive order for the return of schools to the missions for proper funding and management.

The call was made during the annual general meeting of Fatima College Ikire Old Boys Association(FACOBA) which held in Ikire.

Pastor Henry Otoibhi, the immediate past National President of FACOBA, the current National President of the association, Elder Gbenga Ajayi and others said the call became imperative in view of the falling standard of education across the country.

Otoibhi said, “Returning the schools to the owners is one of the things we have been agitating for. During my tenure, we made a proposal to Osun State House of Assembly on the need for the school to be returned to the original owners (Catholic Mission) but they told us that it was an executive issue and not a legislative one.”

“We know there are some states in Nigeria that have returned schools to their owners. President Tinubu when he was the governor of Lagos State returned schools. It was also done in Anambra and Delta States.”

“We are surprised that the South West which are supposed to be progressive are not when we talk about education. They ought to have considered returning schools to missions. They have too many schools to handle”.

“I’m appealing to President Tinubu to use his office as the President to consider returning schools to the missions.”

“All he needs to do is to give an executive order and the schools will be better handled than what they are now. You cannot prosper with what does not belong to you. The founder of the school is Catholic Mission and for government to take it from them, it doesn’t work that way. That’s why the standard of education is falling.”

When speaking with newsmen, the new National President for the next three years, Elder Ajayi Olugbenga explained how the association resisted some unpopular policies of a former Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola saying, “This school is a boy’s only school and an administration came and brought in girls but we were able to fight it to the end. They even wanted to pull down some of these buildings but we resisted that. We will try and return Fatima College to the mission.”

During his tenure, he promised to have a united association that will collaborate with all stakeholders for a school focused development; create an atmosphere where every member’s voice is heard and valued, leverage members’ diverse expertise to drive progress, to operate a transparent, equitable, an prudent administration and set in motion a unified platform for branches and class sets mutual engagements through their representatives or executive members. The avenue will provide for brainstorming, collaboration and productive engagements.

Dr. Patrick Ilo, The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Petrocam Training Nigeria, who renovated the Professor Joseph Obemeata Administrative block in the school said, “Driven by my lifelong aspiration to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, and guided by the grace of God, I am honored to have had the opportunity to renovate this building, leaving a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire and empower future generations.”

“The renovation of this building is not just a physical upgrade; it’s a symbol of our commitment to the values that Fatima College represents: excellence, compassion, and service. It’s a testament to the power of collaboration and generosity, as we come together to create a better learning environment for our students”.

The Chairman of the Electoral Committee for the election of new executives, Professor Christopher Adeigbe, noted that “three positions were contested for. They are national President, Vice President and the General Secretary. Elder Gbenga Ajayi and Otunba Olaore Muyiwa contested for National President. Isiaka Olagunju and Sarafadeen Ajibade contested for General Secretary. Architect Saheed Adebayo and another man contested for Vice President.

Elder Ajayi got 77 votes to emerge as the National President of FACOBA. Ajibade won with 78 votes and Architect Adebayo won with 69 votes”.

All the new executives were sworn in after a tough election.