Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Saturday commended the efforts of Aquinas College's Old Students Association, ACAOSA, at sustaining education standard in the school.

Arakunrin Akeredolu gave the commendation at a reunion and award party organized by the Lagos chapter of the association held at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos at the weekend.

Represented at the event by his deputy, Hon. Agboola Alfred Ajayi the governor, who noted that shouldering the burdens of education could not be left to government alone, called on other stakeholders, particularly Old Students Associations to emulate ACAOSA by always remembering to give back to the schools that made them.

"Complementing the efforts of government in the school is what they are doing now and they are doing very well. For them to remember to gather for a reunion, not just to wine and dine, but to focus developmental project in the school, I think they should be commended," the governor said.

Speaking on what should be the roles of such associations in schools across the state, Akeredolu called for support in the infrastructural development and other areas of needs of schools.

'Like ACAOSA, they should do something about collaborating with this government in terms of infrastructure, in terms of ICT and so on to see that we up grade the facilities in the the schools,' he added.

Members of the association who took turns to speak with newsmen spoke on their motivation and what should be expected in the nearest future.

Mr. Abimbola Toki-Adebayo who attributed whatever achievement members might have made to the solid foundation they had in Aquinas College, said it was time to give back to the school that made them what they are today.

On the contributions to the development of the school, Toki-Adebayo said while a world class laboratory was under construction by the association in the school, efforts were also on to sustain the sport prowess which was one of the things Aquinas College was noted for in their days in the school.

His words, 'we are building a state of the earth laboratory for the students. It's ongoing. We want to build a lawn tennis court because one of the things we were known for was sport. We were the best in the old western states. So we are looking at bringing back all those old glory," he said.

Mr. Akin Oluwole, another old student, said the awards given to people at the event would spur them to do more in giving back to the school, noting that government alone could not be left with overwhelming challenges of funding education.

'We are encouraging people by giving them awards and that will spur them to do more for the school. Government cannot do it all alone. After all we have scarcity of fund and resources everywhere but with little help here and there, we can take the school back to the old glory because now public schools are going down but if the old students associations live up to their billings, am sure there is going be a lot of positive impact,' said Oluwole.

The event featured talks, presentation of awards and merry making as old friends who apparently met last a long time ago had the opportunity of meeting again.

� Olawale Abolade