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By Emmanuel Adeleke
A philanthropist and an alumnus of Abiodun Atiba Memorial Institute, Oyo, Alhaji Tunde Tijani, popularly known as TJ Babs, has donated a table tennis slate and accessories, two javelins, two shot puts as well as one discus to the school.
Tijani, who is the sponsor of TJ Babs House, donated the sports equipment during the 42nd inter-house sports and atheltics competition of the school, on Tuesday.
Speaking, TJ Babs, represented by his sister, Alhaja Aminat Tijani, urged the students to always strive to be the best and be good ambassadors of the school.
“Extracurricular activities is a good thing to take part in, no matter how small it may be. Like the popular saying, ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.’ Extracurricular activities should be part of your educational life,” She said.
Explaining why he was sponsoring a house in the school, Mr Tijani said: “Abiodun Atiba Memorial Institute, Oyo, my Alma mater, is a cherished institution where my dreams took flight, and my passions were nurtured. It is a place that holds a special corner in my heart, a sanctuary of knowledge and growth.
“As I journey through life, the memories and wisdom imparted by my alma mater stay etched in my mind forever. It is a way of giving back to the great school that provided me with a solid foundation upon which I stand strongly for humble accomplishments thus far achieved in the last 50 years of my life.
“In addition to the house named after me, I have spent millions of Naira for renovation of a block of 6 classrooms with 120 units of state of arts of Desks and tables, renovation and rehabilitation of School mosques, and borehole as my humble ways of giving back to my great Alma mater.”
In his remarks, the Tutor General, TESCOM Zonal Office, Oyo, Alhaji Haroon Animasahun commended TJ Babs and other sponsors for their immense support for their alma mater.
“Sports development is part of schools’ curriculum to mould the students in secondary schools and beyond. It has been the means of increasing a level of knowledge of the students through different interactions.
“If you look across the state, you will see that sports is being given priority, under Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration,” he said
Also, the principal of the school, Rasaq Oyekunle Raheem, said: “These house owners and some other philanthropists have been financing this festival since 2023.
“Apart from their cash donations towards this year’s competition, Owonikoko House owner has donated volleyball court and its accessories to the school while TJ Babs has donated table tennis slate and its accessories, missiles, sportswear, snacks and drinks. I equally salute all other donors who have contributed immensely towards the hosting of this year’s ceremony.
“The school is appreciating in advance any God sent individual or group that will donate basketball court and its accessories and modern pavilion to her,” the principal said.
He also commended the Old Students’ Association and Parents Forum of the school on their relentless efforts in the growth and all round development of the school.
The Tutor General, TESCOM Zonal Office, Oyo, Alhaji Animasahun later commissioned the sports equipment donated by TJ Babs.
At the end of the 42nd inter-house sports and athletics competition, Owonikoko House came first with 373 points, School House clinched second with 310 points while Adeyemi House placed third with 306 points. Asamu got 305 points to place fourth and TJ Babs House, who won the match past, came 5th overall with 257 points. The last position went to Ladigbolu House with 224 points.
Abiodun Atiba Memorial Institute started with four houses namely: Asamu, Adeyemi, Atiba and Ladigbolu till year 2022. In 2023, an opportunity to buy houses opened and two old students of the school– Alh Tunde Tijani and Dr Raji Fatai, bought two houses, TJ Babs and Owonikoko. This increased the number of houses to six.
