Ondo old students dole out N14m to renovate alma mater

In a bid to restore their alma mater to its past glory, alumni of Stella Maris College (SMC), Okitipupa, Ondo State, has spent N14 million on renovation of dilapidated infrastructures in the school.

Handing over the project to the school on behalf of “SMC Revamp Group” on Saturday, the Coordinator, Dr. Dapo Iwala, said that two blocks of eight classrooms were renovated by the group.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the eight classrooms were renovated with complete re-roofing, plastering, painting and furniture.

NAN recalls that the group had on Sept. 25 inaugurated 17 renovated classrooms in the school with complete roofing sheets, burglaries, paintings and 240 sets of furniture tagged “Revamp Project Phase One”.

Iwala, a former Chairman, Okitipupa Local Government, said that both phase one and two renovation projects in the school were completed at a cost of N14 million.

He said that the “SMC Revamp Group” was established in August through social media and reached out to members scattered around the world to raise the funds which gave the school a facelift.

“I thank all colleagues and members of the “Revamp Group” who contributed funds for this, especially people who championed the cause.

“Dedication, commitment, transparency and accountability brought this great achievement; I urge the school management, teachers and students to ensure these structures are well taken care of for us to do more,” Iwala said.

Chief Samuel Adetuyi, National President, SMC Old Students Association, said the Revamp Group became worried about the dilapidated structures in the school which informed the gesture.

He commended the group and other sets for the rescue mission embarked upon, saying their efforts had given the school a facelift.

“I am indeed grateful to all past sets, especially the “SMC Revamp Group”, and I am appealing to other sets to join this moving train to maintain and sustain the standard of the school,” Adetuyi said.

Meanwhile, Mr Simon Akindutire, school Principal, said he was elated by the renovation and commended the revamp group for restoring good teaching and learning environment to students and teachers.

He urged all other old students to emulate their colleagues in giving back to the school that made them, saying there was still more to be done in the school.

NAN reports that government officials, educationist, former principals, teachers and students graced the ceremony at the school established in 1960 by the Catholic missionaries.