THE MINUTES OF
DEMONSTRATION OLD STUDENTS’ ALUMNI (DEMOSA) MEETING LAGOS STATE CHAPTER HELD AT
LTV8 COMPOUND, AGIDINGBI, IKEJA LAGOS ON 5TH AUGUST, 2012
ATTENDANCE
NAME EMAIL PHONE YEAR
08082514040
08187198041 '86
The
meeting of the day commenced at 2.40 with prayer led by Michael Akuboh while
the minutes of the last meeting held on the 1st of July was read by
Abdulateef Suberu and Ogunyebi Adesina moved for adoption of the minutes and
Dapo Daramola seconded.
Ninma
Apim (’88), Peter Udochi (’88), Isabella (Davies) Bakeh (’88), Fisayo
Arowosegbe (’88) and Bukky Dada (’88) sent apology for their absence.
Dapo
Daramola welcomed all and appreciated the new faces in our midst especially the
presence of Michael Akuboh and Ann (Williams) Thomas of 86 set present at the
meeting, others are from 92 set. Abdulazeez Momodu, Jude Iyamabo and Emeka Onubau. In his address as
usual, Dapo reminded us of the benefits associated with alumni. He goes further
to give a summary of what we have done so far. Our visit to Mrs. Alaiyemola in
November during her brief stay with her children in Lagos, calls made by Demosaites to wish her happy birthday both
from Nigeria and over the World made this year’s birthday as the best gift she
ever got. Demosaites presence at the burial of Mrs. A. N. Jaja, former Principal
Demonstration Secondary School from 1985 to 1994. He thanked Bola Olanrewaju
for her efforts in coordinating the activities as well as Demosaites in Abuja
and Zaria. We gave financial assistance to one of us who changed job, the
drafting of DEMOSA Constitution with special thanks to Abdulateef Suberu and
Ogunyebi Adesina who devoted their time
to be present when called upon. Further, he explained why the meeting was held 5th of August
instead of the 29th of July as expected. Michael Akuboh sent
message that he would like to be present at the meeting cause he would be in Lagos
that period. Dapo Daramola also used the opportunity to thanked Demosaites who
attended his son’s naming ceremony.
Ann
(Williams) Thomas expressed her joy with what we have done so far and promised
to come around to attend meetings though she stays far from mainland.
Michael
Akuboh was very delighted to be in our midst after such a long time after
Secondary School. First, his condolence message to us all on the death of our
late Principal Mrs. A.N. Jaja. He continued with a big thank you to Bola Olanrewaju
for what she is doing and that he tried to do same in Zaria a long time ago but
his efforts was not appreciated. He appreciated her zeal and confessed this has
made his passion for DEMOSA re-ignited so he wishe to continue along the path
he had started. He explained to us how he organized the Maiden Edition of
Annual Inter-House Basketball Competition on behalf of Demonstration Old Boys
Association in March 2001 between 6th and 10th at the ABU Basketball courts. ADEOLU OJO won
the most valuable player AWARD which goes with one (1) year Scholarship paid by
Demonstration Old Boys Association. They got support both in cash and kind from
the teachers of the school both present and those who had left. He brought with
him documentation made, for us to see and go through. The challenge he had was
concern for money with people around him as there was no rules and regulations
to guide them. He explained the need to build a base and get in touch with one
another to know what has happened and
what is happening around us which is very vital, by so doing, people will know
of our existence and come to our aid
when we need one. He also advice we de-emphasize the issue of finance for now
until we have EXCOS in place. He seek for assistance from other members of
DEMOSA on whatever project we wish to embark upon. He also informed us that the
Parents Teachers Association (PTA) is not functioning for now. But there is a
Care Taker Committee in place that sees to the affairs of the school. He went with
Mr. S.J. Ekpo to see the Secretary of the school and ask after the records of
the activities of the said ‘Alumni’ that was in place at one time in the school.
It was a known fact that payments were made into the purse of the Alumni but
the records could not be traced at all. Michael Akuboh appealed to all to
motivate Bola Olanrewaju by giving her assisting with at least recharge card to
encourage her with getting in touch with other Demosaites and getting them in
touch. If we get notification and won’t be able to attend the meeting, we
should endeavour to inform the house of our absence.
Michael
Akuboh concluded his speech with greetings from Masai Ujiri, Current Executive
Vice President of Basketball Operations Denver Nuggets United States and Mrs.
Balogun our former Senior Mistress and one of our English teachers. Dapo Daramola
commended Michael Akuboh on his speech.
He then added that DEMOSA Lagos is not interested in post, but to get things
done and put in proper place. We are all professionals in our various fields if
we need to get things done, we tax ourselves since we have no purse so the
people will be motivated and we move on.
Bola
Olanrewaju thanked everyone in the house for their support and prayers during
her trip to Kaduna for late Mrs. A.N. Jaja’s burial especially Dapo Daramola,
Kudi Olobayo and Oluyemi Comfort Akinde –Falaye who sent her N1,000 worth
airtime. Adesegun Akintunde (Adevolks) too, for he monitored her all thru the
trip with phone from Canada. Gratitude goes to Miss. Kantiyok, Mrs. Amako, Mrs.
Bala and Mr. S.J. Ekpo for they ensured we were properly taken care of. They
were delighted to see us and all look forward to our home coming.
Emeka
Onubau in attendance for the first time expressed gratitude to the house for
putting DEMOSA in place. He has always been updated about the happenings in the
house by his friend Adesina Ogunyebi and
he made up his mind to be present at the meeting. He prayed and wants DEMOSA to
move up to greater heights.
Another
person present is Jude Iyamabo. He commended the efforts of everyone present.
He had wanted to attend on several occasions but the nature of his job didn’t
allow him. During his trips out of the country he came across Demosaites who
assisted him. Once in Canada and another Jumoke (Olumeyan) Olayemi (’91)
residing in Australia. He also informed us of Demosaites residing in Maryland
about their attempt in coming together but because they had on constitution to
guide them they couldn’t continue. He talked about the issue of finance, that we
cannot turn down money issue aside because in all we do we need money as such
certain amount of money need to be set aside for running the Alumni every year. His establishment gave
DEMOSA a cheque of N50,000.00 (fifty thousand naira only).
Abdulateef
Suberu urged us to continue to forge
ahead and added that in the course of our work where we get to meet members of our Alumni, we need no
protocol to get things done. He too advised on the issue of money that for now
it should be put aside because it will draw people back from attending meetings
and more so we don’t have a major project on hand aside from our Constitution. For now if we
need any assistance , we call on members to contribute whatever each can afford
until our Constitution is ready then we set up various committees to handle
affairs.
In
his own contribution, Olanrewaju Giwa
simply expressed he was pleased and thanked Bola Olanrewaju that it was her persistent calls that brought him out of
his shell. He added that we should device ways members should be committed and
loyal to the alumni. Michael Akuboh chipped in with the fact that number is
important once any group is in place we can’t have a complete number in
attendance at all times. All we need is to be focused and put our aims and
objectives first.
Adesina
Ogunyebi apologized first for coming
late and keeping all waiting but expressed his joy of seeing his classmates of
20years. To keep in touch with friends, you need to be committed. Friends of
those days are really your true friends, there is true bond cause we came from
the same root and we are re-connecting back to that same root. We should be
consistent in attending meeting and once we cant make it we should get those
involved informed as this encourages oneness.
Abdulazeez
Momodu was also glad to be in our midst. He is a lawyer and will be handling
the issue of DEMOSA registration and Constitution. He gave us guidelines
concerning the registration of DEMOSA as an alumni: we need to have at least
five (5) members as Excos, registered address, landed property even if it is a
pledge to DEMOSA and an official sum of N100,000:00 (One Hundred Thousand naira
only). On other documentations, he volunteered to render his services free of
charge. With what we have done so far on the DEMOSA constitution he commended
we did a good job.
While
the meeting was on-going, Adesegun Akintunde (Adevolks) called from Canada to
speak with us and concluded we should not relent in what we have embark on and
Demosaites in Diaspora are very happy and we should count on their support
anytime it is needed. Michael Akuboh thanked everyone present for the honour
given him and was also grateful for all the condolence messages sent to him on
the death of his wife. “Nothing is too small “he concluded.
Ogunyebi
Adesina moved the motion for adjournment while Michael Akuboh seconded.
Next
meeting is slated for 26th of August, 2012 at the same time and
venue. All are expected to be punctual.
The
meeting came to a close at 5:20.
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