Emmanuel Ukudolo I Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023
IKEJA, Lagos – Federal Government Girls College, FGGC Benin City has rolled out activities to mark its golden jubilee.
Themed “50 years of inspiring young minds”, the event will begin on Thursday, October 12, 2023, with inter school Debate programne, followed by alumni courtsey visit to the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and the Oba of Benin.
Friday 13th October has been earmarked for festival of arts and culture, an event expected to be nostalgic of fond memories to most of the alumni.
There will also be an outreach programme, featuring a health talk targeted at the staff and students, basic health checks & donations to the school sickbay
-a career talk and a
– Jumat service
Event slated for Saturday 14th October includes a workshop with a keynote speaker, a book launch, panel session, and the launch of the School Project).
“The day will close with the 50th Anniversary reunion grand ball and Thanksgiving service on Sunday 15th October”, Chairperson BOT, FGGC Benin City, Mrs Eyono Fatayi-Williams said at a press conference in Lagos.
She said the school authorities and the alumni are collaborating to celebrate the jubilee with events that are tagged “mother of all reunions”.
She said 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.
“The school started with 72 students temporarily located on the Idia College site. Two years later, the school eventually moved to its permanent site in Ugbowo , near the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). Since its first set of graduates in1978, the school has produced over 40 sets of accomplished women who have made impact on national and global stages in various fields of human endeavour”, she said.
She said the 50th anniversary celebration has provided an opportunity for all alumni globally, regardless of graduation year to unite to plan the jubilee celebrations from the 12th – 15th, of October 2023 in Benin city.
“The synergy has resulted in the following:
1- Implementation of anniversary projects by the global alumni , renovation of the school’s two dining halls. We are privileged to have the wife of the Edo State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki as an alumna of the school and she is also sponsoring an electrification project and clinic refurbishment. There are other multiple projects by individual class sets too numerous to mention.
2- Publication of a coffee table book.. titled the Coral Beads which is a collection of memories, articles, pictures and stories of our time in Fediben.
3- A gathering of alumni in Benin not only to celebrate but also to give back to the school by way of career talks for students, health screening for staff, with the main plenary event taking place on Saturday the 14th of October 2023.
“Old girls from all over the globe are invited to attend these celebrations in Benin”, she said.
She said the alumni is setting up scholarships for students. On purported selling of unity schools, she the alumni is advocating strengthening institutions to run schools but that the alumni will be glad if given first instance since the alumni is loaded with qualified people well placed and knowledgeable to run the school.
“We are prepared for various scenarios we will be glad if given the first choice offer. We will be delighted if sales happen. But if we are given the opportunity that wouldn’t be a problem”, she assured.
But for now, she said there’s the need to focus on creating the right environment for students to excel.
In her remarks, President of FGGC Benin Old Girls Association, Engr. Elozino Olaniyan said the school excelled in the past and keeps on excelling. “FGGC was the best and remains the best”, she said adding that the alumni partners with the school on projects.
On policy of federal character in admission and impact on education, she said you tell a good school by the people that graduate and not those that go in or are admitted.
Also speaking FGGC Benin Old Girls Association’s Social Secretary, Odini Oriseh said the alumni weighs in from time to time to assist students with fees and token and other incentives.
