…Reel out activities to mark golden jubilee
BENJAMIN OMOIKE
LAGOS, Nigeria – Federal Government Girls College, Benin (FEDIBEN), Old Girls Association, on Tuesday, announced a wide range of programmes and activities lined up for the 50th anniversary of FGGC, Benin, Edo State.
The disclosure was made by Chairperson, Board of Trustees (BoT), FGGC Benin, Mrs. Eyono Fatayi-Williams, at a press conference hosted by the association’s Lagos chapter in Ikeja, the state capital.
She described the Golden Jubilee with the theme: ’50 Years of Inspiring Young Minds’ as the “Mother of all Reunions”.
Fatayi-Williams announced that the jubilee celebration – which will be marked in collaboration with the school authority and the alumni – is scheduled for October 12 to 15, 2023, in Benin, stressing that it would provide an opportunity for all alumni globally, regardless of graduation year, to unite for a common purpose.
“FGGC Benin-City was established on October 15, 1973, by the General Yakubu Gowon administration as part of the military government’s programme to promote unity in post-civil war Nigeria.”
According to her, the golden jubilee anniversary, expected to be attended by old girls from all over the globe, will kick off on Thursday, October 12, 2023, with an inter-school debate programme, a visit to the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and the Oba of Benin.
“Other activities include the festival of arts and culture, an event which brings fond memories to most of the alumni, medical talk and outreach for students, staff and donations to the school sickbay, career talk and a Jumat service.”
The highpoint of the celebration on October 14, 2023, would feature a 50th anniversary lecture, a book launch, panel session and the launch of the school project; followed by a grand ball and thanksgiving the following day.
She lauded the contributions of the old students toward the sustenance of the high academic and overall standards – which had been the hallmark of the College since its inception.
In her contributions, Mrs. Elozino Olaniyan, President of FGGC Old Girls Association, Lagos chapter and Chairman of the 50th Anniversary Planning Committee, said the College, which was established on October 15, 1973, by the General Yakubu Gowon administration, started with 72 pioneer students at its temporary site in Idia College.
Engineer Olaniyan, who is the General Manager of Safety and Environment at Shell Nigeria, during the question and answer session, said the College has produced several other accomplished women (aside the First Lady of Edo State, Betsy Obaseki, who is playing a prominent role), who have made tremendous impact at national and global stages in various fields of human endeavour, among whom are Mrs Aduke Macaulay of Overland Airways and Professor Enase Okonedo, Vice-Chancellor of Pan African University, Lagos, Mrs. Banwo Adeosun, immediate past (and first female) SSG to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, among others.
“We have all done so well. The College remains one of the top colleges in the country. And if we go on to our results, we are the best. We remain the best and we will continue to be the best. The alumni are committed to the quality of learning at the College.
“We also appreciate the support from the government. We are supporting the College with different projects because we want to ensure that no girl with the ambition to read is left behind. We support all indigent students and we work with all old students.”
She disclosed that the Foundation set of the College had instituted a scholarship for indigent students, saying that the old students association remains an advocate of proper education for the girl-child.
