By Usman Aliyu
The 1985 set of Eghosa Anglican Grammar School Old Boys Association on Friday donated a 300-seater ultra-modern sports pavilion to its alma mater in Benin City.
Rear Adm. Mike Oamen, President of the 1985 set, at the inauguration of the facility, said the donation was borne out of the class’s recognition of the school’s legacy in sports and academics.
Oamen described the gesture as both thanksgiving and inspiration for younger generations.
“Sports was one of those extracurricular activities that sharpened our mental capacity when we were here.
“We know this school produced students who went on to play for the national team, and we thought it was only right to give back by revamping its sports infrastructure,” he said.
The rear admiral noted that the project, executed 40 years after many of the classmates last met, was a testimony to unity and gratitude.
“This pavilion is our way of thanking God for keeping us for four decades after leaving this school and giving back to the institution that molded us,” he said.
The Anglican Bishop of Benin Diocese, Rt. Rev. Peter Imasuen, who inaugurated the facility, showered prayers and blessings on the old boys for their sacrifice.
“The Lord who has brought you this far will perfect His work in your lives. You have been a strength to this institution, and may you never lack strength in return,” he said.
In his remarks, the principal of the school, Venerable Osakue Edokpolo, described the pavilion as “digital, modern, and more classy” than similar structures built for government schools in the past.
Osakue noted that the facility would provide students with a befitting space for sports and extracurricular activities.
“This is a landmark project and a unique gift. We are the first in this locality to have such a facility, thanks to the class of 1985. We know they will come back again with something bigger,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inauguration was one of the activities lined up for the celebration of the set’s reunion 40 years after graduation.
In a novelty match to open the facility, the 1991 set pulled a 1-1 draw against the students of the school in a scintillating match played amidst funfair with attendance by senior security officers in the state. (NAN)
Edited by Victor Adeoti/Ayodeji Alabi
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