The Alumni of Ansar-Ud-Deen High School (ADS), Saki, under the AUD Heights Old Students Association (1983–1989 Sets), on Monday officially handed over a refurbished school bus to the institution as part of efforts to improve students’ mobility and contribute to the development of their alma mater.
The ceremony, held at the school premises in Sango, Saki, attracted founding fathers of the school, officials of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADS), alumni members, the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), school management, students and other dignitaries.
Speaking during the event, Chairman of the ADS High School Refurbished Bus Committee, Hon. Abdulrahman Aloyinlapa, said the donation reflected the alumni’s commitment to giving back to the institution that shaped their lives.
He commended the former management and founding fathers of the school, particularly Alh. (Chief) R.A. Akande, for laying a solid educational foundation.
“The purpose of this gathering is to give back to our alma mater, especially at a time when the school requires support. “This institution has produced professionals and distinguished individuals who have excelled in different fields of human endeavour,” he said.
Describing the refurbished bus as “a new beginning,” Aloyinlapa assured that the alumni remained committed to undertaking more developmental projects for the school.
“The bus will ease the movement of students for academic and sporting activities, enabling them to compete favourably with their counterparts across Oyo State and beyond. We are determined to continue supporting the growth of our alma mater,” he added.
He urged students to remain diligent in their studies, describing education as “the only lasting legacy,” while advising them to stay disciplined, patient and security-conscious.
Responding, the Principal of ADS High School I, Alh. Alarape R.A. Abdulrasheed, expressed appreciation to the old students for the donation, describing it as a timely intervention.
“I sincerely appreciate this remarkable contribution. This bus will greatly assist the school in transporting students for academic, sporting and other official engagements,” he said.
Recalling a recent football competition where the school had to hire a vehicle, he said the refurbished bus would significantly improve the school’s operations.
“Henceforth, we have our own vehicle to move our students. We pray that Almighty Allah replenishes the resources of everyone who contributed to this noble project,” he said, while pledging proper maintenance of the vehicle.
Delivering a goodwill message, one of the school’s founding fathers, Alh. (Chief) R.A. Akande, urged the management to properly document the contributions of alumni sets and ensure the bus is used solely for official school purposes.
“This transport service will benefit the administration, teachers, students and all stakeholders of the school. Every contribution made by the alumni should be properly recorded for posterity,” he said.
Akande also called for stronger collaboration with the Parent-Teacher Association, noting that many of the school’s enduring achievements were products of collective efforts.
Looking ahead to the school’s 60th anniversary in January 2027, he advocated the establishment of an Alumni Endowment Fund to provide sustainable financial support for the institution.
He further commended the Federal Government’s reforms aimed at restoring the credibility of public examinations and appreciated the Oyo State Government for establishing a 500-seat Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre at the school for students across Oke-Ogun Zones I and II.
Also speaking, the National President of the AUD High School Old Students Association, represented by Rasheed Olatunji, said the refurbishment project had set a worthy example for other alumni sets.
“This initiative has thrown a challenge to other graduating sets to contribute meaningfully to the development of our alma mater. We look forward to even bigger interventions in the future,” he said.
He congratulated the school on emerging champions in a recent football competition organised by the Oyo State Government, describing it as a return to the school’s glorious past.
The refurbished bus project was supervised by the Bus Refurbishment Committee of the AUD Heights Association, chaired by Hon. Moyinlayo Adukudamu. Other members of the committee included Mr. Musan, Barr. Abiodun Hazan, P.S. Adewale Sulaimon, Alhaji Lawal Teslimat, Hon. Agbaje Ismail, Hon. Adewale Timitere, and Abdulazeez Ishaq. The committee was commended for successfully coordinating the refurbishment and delivery of the bus to the school.
The event featured prayers, Qur’anic recitation, rendition of the National and Oyo State anthems, goodwill messages, the official presentation of the refurbished bus and a vote of thanks by the school management.
Dignitaries in attendance included Alh. (Chief) R.A. Akande; Alh. (Prince) Asimiyu Egbinola, Chairman of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADS), Saki Branch; Alh. Ahmad Tijani Oke; Alh. Sakariyau Mechanic; Alh. (Chief) R.O. Muslim; Baba Adeagbo; the school’s PTA Chairman; and members of the Bus Refurbishment Committee.
The school management team present comprised Alh. Alarape R.A. Abdulrasheed, Principal, ADS High School I, Saki; Engr. Salami T.B., Principal, ADS High School II, Saki; Alh. Olori M.A., Principal, ADS Junior High School, Saki; and Mrs. Popoola J.B., Principal, ADS Junior College, Saki, among others.