The 1979/84 set of Ijebu Ife Community Grammar School, Ogun State has committed about N13.5 million naira to the rehabilitation of the Albert Osisami Library in the school.
The library which was donated by Pa Osisami, an indigene of Ijebu Ife as far back as 1983 had been abandoned over the years and almost like a dunghill when the old students took up the challenge of rehabilitating it.
President of the set, Mr Muyiwa Taiwo said in statement that the rehabilitation of the library was the set’s own signature project to commemorate its 40 years anniversary after leaving school.
The project cost the set about N13.5 million according to the statement.
The entire library was tiled, fully furnished, equipped with books and given a completely new look.
He said facilities for a digital library is also being put in place adding however that the rehabilitated library will be delivered to the school on November 9 as part of activities to commemorate the 40 years anniversary of the set after school.
A lecture with the theme, ‘reviving reading culture in a digital age’ to be delivered by Dr. Yemi Atanda of the Theatre Arts Department of Osun State University is among the series of activities that have been lined up to commemorate the epoch event.
The principal at the point of leaving school for the set in 1984, Mr. Segun Adebanjo will also deliver a key note address during the ceremony.
Several other activities including award of scholarships to indigent students, special recognition to deserving teachers, award for outstanding old students of the school are being lined up for the anniversary.
Taiwo said the rehabilitation of the library was the least the old students could have done.
“We owe our alma mata a lot of debt. The school was put together by some patriotic individuals of the Ijebu Ife Community. They sacrificed their time and resources for generations yet unborn.
‘The only way to keep on with the work is not to allow their investment in the school rot away. That is why the 1979-1984 set of the school had to put resources together to bring the dead library back to life.’