Alumni to Fence Oyo School Over Herdsmen's Incursion

The alumni of Iroko Community Grammar School, located in the Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State, have resolved to undertake the construction of a perimeter fence for their alma mater. This strategic intervention addresses the recurring issue of herdsmen leading their cattle into the school premises, a practice that the old students say has severely disrupted academic activities and destroyed the school's agricultural facilities.

The decision was made public on Monday by Bolaji Akinremi, the Director of Economic, Trade, and Investment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who also serves as the pioneer Global President of the Old Students Association. Speaking at a press conference in Ibadan to unveil the itinerary for the school’s 60th-anniversary celebrations, Akinremi lamented the current state of security and infrastructure at the institution. He noted that unlike in the past, cattle now graze freely on the school's vast land, effectively discouraging students from participating in agricultural practicals.

"Herders in those days, when we were students, dared not bring their cattle into the school premises, even with our vast land," Akinremi recalled. "However, we have observed lately that they now come in freely. One of the projects we have in mind is perimeter fencing because of the herders whose cows eat up farm produce on the school farm." He emphasized that the school farm, originally designed as a practical learning tool for students, has been rendered unusable because crops planted by indigent students and the school management are regularly consumed by livestock.

The fencing project is part of a broader "legacy initiative" aimed at restoring the school to its former glory. Akinremi described the upcoming 60th anniversary as a moment of renewal for the institution, which has produced numerous professionals across various sectors. He acknowledged that like many public schools, Iroko Community Grammar School has suffered from infrastructural decay over the decades. "Today, we speak not in complaint, but in renewed determination and optimism," he stated, highlighting the association's resolve to intervene constructively.

In addition to the perimeter fence, the alumni association plans to rehabilitate key classroom blocks, upgrade the library and ICT facilities, and improve the general school environment. To achieve this, the association is mobilizing a wide network of support, including past students, parents, the host community, traditional rulers, and corporate organizations. The goal is to create a conducive learning environment that fosters hope, resilience, and academic excellence for current and future students.