The 76 set of Charleans, also known as Stanza 726, has celebrated their 50th graduation anniversary with the theme “Together, Taking St. Charles To The Top”, with the commissioning of a number of projects for the upliftment of their alma mater.
The projects include the reactivation of the water tank base of the School’s main borehole, repair of the 1kva solar energy machine, supply of two extra-large Storex tanks and increase of the distribution points from five to 10, with a six-month maintenance guarantee.
Moreover, to aid security measures already put in place, the old students also provided a security post for the use of the School security personnel. The total cost of the projects was put at about N4 million.
Speaking at the event, which took place at the SCOBA Alumni Hall within the school premises, Solomon Jemilehin, coordinator of the 726 Stanza, thanked God Almighty for the grace given to all of them to witness their 50th anniversary celebration. He disclosed that although they were 100 at graduation, 20 of their members have since passed on.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the SCOBA Global President, Atilola Odudare, the Global Vice-President 1 of SCOBA, Dr Tunde Owojori, described members of Stanza 726 as “one of the forces behind the successes recorded by SCOBA over the years” and prayed for more fruitful years ahead for them.
Also speaking at the event, Professor Babatunde Adélékè preached for peace as he appealed to Stanza 789 to return to the fold and join hands with the rest of the family to continue the good work at St Charles.
Jimilehin, aka Rajah, and I met and became friends at Osogbo, the capital of present-day Osun State, in 1976/77. I was an auxiliary teacher at Osogbo Grammar School while Rajah worked at Mandilas across the road. Behind Mandilas was the grotto of world-acclaimed artiste, Twin Seven Seven. Those were days when boys were boys!