The Elegbe of Egbe and Chairman, Yagba West Traditional Council, His Royal Highness, Oba Ayokunle Irukera, yesterday commissioned the solar powered borehole project initiated by Old students of Titcombe College, Egbe, Kogi State.
The project is at the instance of the class set of 1978/1983 of the Titcombe College Egbe Old students Association (TCEOSA).
Prayers were showered on the TC 78/83 set just as the school principal, management staff and students appreciated the gesture as an answer to their prayers as water has been a serious challenge to the College community.
The event was graced by Oba Ayodele Irukera, his Olori and the Bale of Egbe, Oba Abiodun Agbana.
The National Executive Committee of TCEOSA was represented by the Vice- President and Secretary General.
Below is full text of the address by the President, TCEOSA 78/83 SET, on the occasion of the commissioning ceremony on Saturday, 17th June, 2023.
The HRH, Oba Ayodele Irukera, Elegbe of Egbe,
other Chiefs here present
President, TCEOSA, Engr Steve Sunday Oluokun, the Principal, Mr. Ajayi Olugbenga John and Management Staff of TCE, TCE old students here present,
TCEOSA 78/83 Set members, Distinguished guests,
Students of this Great College, Titcombe College, Egbe,
Gentlemen of the Press.
Ladies and gentlemen
We are here today to thank God, the Almighty, for His preservation, and blessings over the years. We have come to mark 40 years since 1978/83 Set left this great institution.
Like the biblical leper who came back to appreciate God (Luke 17:15- 18), we have come to appreciate God and the alma mater that groomed us.
We left TC after our WAEC/GCE O level Examination in June 1983 with high hopes. Sadly, we have it on record that not less than 25 of those youths bubbling with life then are no more with us on planet Earth. They have gone to the great beyond. We crave the indulgence of His Royal Highness for a minute of silence. May their souls rest in peace.
The platform TC 78/83 Set was formed by Sesan Ibitomi on 02/07/2016 to bring us together for interaction and networking. Some of us have not seen each other in the last 40 years since we are all scattered all over the world in search of green
pastures but with the gospel of Titcombe College.
Over the years the conditions and states of educational institutions in Nigeria have witnessed deterioration to pathetic levels. There is a lot of infrastructural decay and disrepair. Thus, there is the need for stakeholders to come to the aid of the country’s educational institutions as the government alone cannot finance education given the competing demands for scarce and limited resources.
There is a need therefore for all stakeholders to contribute their quota to revive quality
education in Nigeria.
The decision by the TC 1978/83 (Our) Set to give back to the College has been on the front burner of our discussions over the years. However, at the general meeting of 18th December 2022, it was concretized that we should embark on a
solar-powered borehole project.
The current EXCO was elected that same day
and the onus and responsibility rested on us to actualize the project. We took over the leadership of the Association on 23rd December 2022 and started the journey.
We can now say this is our Ebenezer. Though, an uphill task but in it all, God helped us to complete it and on time. We are today, here to commission the completed project today.
We are grateful to the HRH, Oba Ayodele Irukera, Elegbe of Egbe for graciously accepting to commission the project despite the short notice amidst several other pressing commitments. Ki ade pe lori, ki bata pe lese. Kabiyesi, we are highly
honoured.
I appreciate all our members both at home and abroad for their solid support, encouragement, and overwhelming participation. Without your support, this will not have been possible. May God continue to prosper us in all our endeavours.
I appreciate the members of the project committee for their commitment and
sacrifices. Kindly permit me to single out the tenacity and sacrifice of Amos Bamidele and Elder Korede Oniya for being true ambassadors of TC, though nothing less was expected. God bless you both more abundantly.
We went for a solar-powered borehole to reduce the issues associated with the running cost. Little did we know at the time, that a litre of petrol will go so high to over N500 per litre. With proper management, it will be able to serve the
community for a long while.
We, therefore, appeal to the Principal, Staff, and
Students to take possession of the borehole and manage it well.
We shall by the grace of God within the year, God’s willing, come back to celebrate our 40th anniversary and homecoming when we shall focus on ceremonies and “paint” the town “red”. Pray along with us.
Water is life and a necessity!
Thank you and May God bless us all.
Engr. Prof. Kayode Joshua SIMONYAN (TC 2509)
President, TCEOSA 1978/83 Set.
