Social Secretary, FGGC Benin Old Students Association, Odini Oriseh (left); Chairperson, BOT, Eyono Fatayi-Williams; President, Eloping Olaniyan; and Head of Media, 50th Anniversary Planning Committee, Kofoworola Belo-Osagie, at a press conference announcing the Jubilee Anniversary activities of the school in Lagos.

The Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC) Benin Old Students Association has unveiled plans for the school’s 50th anniversary.

Addressing journalists on the programmes lined up for the event billed to hold between October 12 and 15, the chairperson, Board of Trustees, FGGC Old Girls Association, Eyono Fatayi-Williams, said the school had produced more than 40 sets of accomplished women, including the wife of the Edo State Governor, Mrs Betsy Obaseki, who had left their mark on national and global stage across various fields.

Fatayi-Williams, noted that the anniversary, titled: ‘50 years of inspiring young minds,’ commemorated half a century since FGGC Benin commenced on October 15, 1973.

She said, “Alumni worldwide are actively participating in renovation projects, sponsoring electrification, and clinic refurbishment projects.

“We are poised to give back to our alma mater, and also ensure that we have a structure that allows all the young girls who have come to FGGC to express themselves through the alumni.

“One thing we do is support each other as sisters, all alumni members are sisters, we also make sure that we give back to the school in form of scholarships, mentoring, and coaching sessions, we support the teachers, staff and students,” she stated.

The old students also announced plans to launch a publication of a coffee table book, titled ‘The Coral Beads’, which is a collection of memories, articles, pictures and stories of alumni members.

Among the activities lined up are visits to the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and Oba of Benin kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II.

On the second day of the event, Fatayi-Williams said there would be medical outreach and health talks, targeted at staff and students of the school, while the final day, will feature the launch of the school projects.

On her part, President of Lagos Chapter of the association, Elozino Olaniyan, said the celebration marks a major milestone for products of the school.

She said: “For any human being, 50 is a critical time, a lot of people don’t get to 50, likewise a lot of schools. And those that get to 50 are not the same as they were when they started, but FGGC has continued to grow stronger.”

Our West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results has remained one of the top five in Nigeria, while the quality of education that the girls get remains top notch.”