The Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ajibade Ogunoye, has charged old students to give back to the society, urging them to deploy their resources towards supporting the government to develop the education sector.

Oba Ogunoye stated this during the inauguration of a new block of four classrooms with attached offices and toilets donated to Imade College, Owo, by an old student of the school, Surveyor Bankole Falaye.

The monarch, who commended the donor for the project said the donation will go a long way to expand infrastructure in the school.

He said better infrastructure can help students to learn in a conducive environment and perform better in their studies.

“It is important to give back to the community. It is a source of inspiration to others and also a show of gratitude. Only few people engaged in such.

“This is also a challenge to others to emulate the steps taken by Falaye. The state government cannot solely fund education but partnering with the government will help to improve the sector,” the monarch said.

Meanwhile, Falaye said he was motivated to give back to the society and his alma mater by his late mother, his elder sister and brothers, who showed the importance of giving back to the society.

He further said that he was also encouraged by some guiding principles, including power of building a strong community through the values of sacrifice and dedication.

“These fundamental principles are what shape the foundation of a vibrant and thriving community and I believe that by embodying them, we can create a legacy of unity and support,” Falaye said.

He further said that his decision to donate the block of classrooms was not just a gesture of generosity, but a heartfelt expression of his appreciation for the role the school had played in shaping the lives of many individuals, including himself.

He called on other spirited individuals to look towards this direction in making the society a better place.

“Let us strive to embody these principles in our daily lives, so that together, we can create a legacy of unity and support that will stand the test of time,” he said.

The principal of the school, Mr. Toluwalase Fasawe, described the project as unique, noting that it will be the first time an individual will donate a building built from the scratch to the college.

He commended Falaye for the initiative and called on other old students of the school to emulate Falaye and come to the aid of the school, saying such intervention will significantly improve learning in the school.

The president of IMACOSA, Isiaka Kareem, who appreciated Falaye’s gesture said: “It is obvious that government cannot do it alone, hence as individuals and organisations, we should be ready to form a partnership with the government to make things better.”