Date: 2019-04-24

The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari has urged the students of the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Omu-Aran to strive toward attaining academic excellence throughout their stay.

Sulu-Gambari gave the charge while addressing the students during a private visit to his alma mater on Tuesday.

It was gathered that Sulu-Gambari was a student of the school between 1952 and 1956 when it was named Native Authority Primary School, Makaranta.

It was founded as a Boarding Native Primary School in 1934 and metamorphosed into Government Secondary School, Omu-Aran in 1967 before gaining its present status as FGGC, Omu-Aran in 1995.

Zulu-Gambari, who was accompanied on the visit by the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Abdulraheem Adeoti, said that the students needed utmost dedication and determination to achieve the desired academic success.

He said that the students were presently in their formative age, saying they must utilise the opportunity to develop themselves in becoming relevant globally.

"We were very determined and focused during our time in school even in spite of our tender ages.

"We knew our target and every one of us knew what he or she wanted to become in life.

"Our hope and spirit were very high and with dedication and determination most of us reached the peak of our chosen careers. "I left here in 1956 having spent four years as a student for Offa Grammar School in Offa to continue my secondary education.

"I thanked almighty Allah that after my education sojourn abroad, I came back to Nigeria with three degrees," he said.

The Emir, who donated an undisclosed amount to the school, urged both the academic and non-academic staff of the college to live above board in the discharge of their duties.

Responding, Mrs Oluwatoyin Kolawole, the School Principal, described the emir’s visit as unprecedented in the history of the college.

Oluwatoyin, represented by Mrs Olatoke Bolanle, Vice-Principal, Academic, said that the visit was a morale booster and would remain evergreen for both the students and staff of the college.

The Emir later visited some of the school's old facilities including the hostel, administrative blocks and other buildings.

Earlier, Oba Adeoti, while welcoming the Emir to the Olomu's palace, described his emergence on the throne as a blessing not only to the people of Ilorin emirate but Kwara and Nigeria as a whole.

He congratulated the Emir on his 79 birthday recently and equally prayed for sound health, immense wisdom in piloting the affairs of the state Traditional Council. (NAN)