St. Augustine’s Comprehensive High School, Oye Ekiti (SACHSO), will on Saturday, October 6, 2025, celebrate its golden jubilee anniversary, marking 50 years of academic excellence, character molding, and community development. The celebration, organized by the school’s Old Students’ Association, promises to be a memorable event with far-reaching impact on the institution and its host community.
According to a statement released by the association’s worldwide coordinator, Mr. Babatope Aina, the golden jubilee activities will begin on Monday, September 29, and will run through the week. The festivities will climax on Saturday with the commissioning and laying of foundation stones for new projects, a special award ceremony, and the launch of a N500 million endowment fund to further reposition the school for the future.
The association emphasized that the golden jubilee is not only a celebration of longevity but also a reflection of the school’s rich history of service and contribution to human development. Old students from across Nigeria and abroad are expected to converge in Oye Ekiti to honor their alma mater, rekindle old friendships, and commit to giving back.
Highlighting the consistent support of its members, the Worldwide President of SACHSO Old Students’ Association, Professor Vincent Idowu Bamigboye, listed a series of impactful projects executed by the alumni over the past two decades. He said these interventions have been central to keeping the school alive and vibrant in the face of dwindling government support for public schools.
Among the notable projects, the association renovated and stocked the school’s library with furniture and books in 2007, set up an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) room in 2008, and donated a power-generating set to aid computer usage. In 2012, they renovated and furnished the Form 5 Block, now renamed Chief A. A. Ashaolu Block, and also provided durable plastic chairs and desks for every class in the block.
The alumni also sank a borehole in 2012 to provide potable water for both students and staff, a project that drastically improved the welfare of the school community. They further instituted annual awards and prizes for academic excellence and dedication, thereby motivating both students and teachers to strive for higher standards.
In 2017, the association undertook the expansion and beautification of the administrative block, which was renamed the Dr. Olatunde Richard Aladesanmi Block in honor of a distinguished alumnus. This was followed by the construction of a perimeter fence in 2019, aimed at securing the school and protecting its landed properties from encroachment.
That same year, the alumni added another three-bedroom flat to the staff quarters, built a 10-room modern toilet facility for students and staff, and provided palliative support during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also equipped the school with safety kits, supplied grass-cutting machines, and ensured the learning environment remained conducive during difficult times.
The association further noted the pivotal role of individual alumni in supporting the institution. In 2019, Chevron/NNPCL, through the efforts of Pastor Olu Joseph Ogunmoyin, a General Manager at the company and an alumnus of the school, constructed a state-of-the-art e-library. This facility, now named the Joseph Olu Ogunmoyin Hybrid Library, has given SACHSO students digital access to global educational resources.
In 2023, the old students also carried out a major reconstruction and expansion of the school’s laboratory. Structural weaknesses had forced them to demolish and rebuild key sections, ensuring that students now have access to safe and modern science facilities. In the same year, they constructed and equipped a fully functional Students’ Secretariat, giving the learners a proper base for leadership and extracurricular activities.
Prof. Bamigboye explained that these interventions represent the deep sense of responsibility the alumni feel toward their alma mater, stressing that the golden jubilee will provide yet another opportunity to give back. He assured that the planned endowment fund will not only sustain ongoing projects but also lay the foundation for future development in areas such as hostel accommodation, sports facilities, and digital learning.
The week-long event will draw participants from across professional fields and national borders, showcasing the impact of SACHSO alumni in education, medicine, engineering, law, politics, and business. Distinguished Augustinians will be honored at the award ceremony, serving as role models to current students.
Dignitaries expected at the celebration include the paramount ruler of Oye-Ekiti, HRM Oba Michael Oluwole Adugbole III, and the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, who is billed to deliver a goodwill message. Also expected is Prof. Patrick Olajide Oladele from the Faculty of Business at Ekiti State University, alongside other eminent personalities from across Nigeria’s educational, business, and cultural sectors.
As the countdown to October 6 begins, the atmosphere in Oye Ekiti is already filled with excitement and anticipation. For many old students, the golden jubilee is not only about reminiscing on fond memories of their school days but also about charting a bold and sustainable path for the next 50 years of St. Augustine’s Comprehensive High School.
