SCOBA: St. Charles Facilities Upgraded for Educational Purposes, Not Political Rallies, Events

By Kolapo Alamu

The Global President of St. Charles Grammar School, Osogbo Old Boys Association (SCOBA), Charlean Peter Tade Adekunle, has said that the extensive infrastructure being developed in the school is strictly for educational and student-related activities, warning against its use for political rallies, social parties, weddings, and burial ceremonies.

Adekunle stated this on Wednesday during a press conference held to commence activities for the SCOBA Global Biennial Convention, scheduled for June 6, 2026, at the Bashorun Rotimi Obeisun Hall, St. Charles Grammar School, Osogbo.

Speaking before members of the association, the SCOBA president said the old boys were committed to upgrading the institution into a centre of academic excellence while ensuring that the facilities remain available to students from across Osun State and Nigeria.

According to him, the facilities can be used for legitimate educational programmes, including inter-house sports competitions, academic engagements, and other extracurricular activities by students from St. Charles Grammar School and other schools.

He noted that the available facilities were designed not only to support secondary school students but also to provide opportunities for continuous learning and personal development.

Charlean Adekunle reiterated SCOBA’s commitment to sustaining investments in the school and ensuring that the institution remains a model for academic excellence and character development.

He said, “We are upgrading St. Charles Grammar School, Osogbo, for the benefit of all students and educational activities. Whether it is students from Ifeoluwa, Osogbo Grammar School, or any other school in the state, they are welcome to use the facilities for legitimate student-related functions. If they want to hold inter-house sports competitions or other academic and extracurricular activities, there is no problem.

“The infrastructure being developed in the school is not meant for weddings, burial ceremonies, political rallies, or other social parties and jamborees.

“Students from anywhere in Nigeria can come to St. Charles Grammar School and use the facilities for educational and student-oriented activities.

“However, if political gatherings are allowed and any of the facilities are damaged, the government may not repair them, believing that the old boys have the resources to do so.

“Our focus is to support the students and contribute to the overall development of St. Charles Grammar School, Osogbo. We want these facilities to serve their intended purpose and remain in good condition for future generations.

He, however, highlighted the association’s major achievements over the past four years while calling for greater unity, financial commitment, and sustainable development of the institution.

Charlean Adekunle described the convention as an important platform to review the association’s activities and chart a new course for the future of the alma mater.

According to him, the fund, launched during the 2024 convention with a target of N250 million, has so far received N23.9 million out of the N46.9 million pledged by members.

Charlean Adekunle paid glowing tribute to the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, and his associates for executing landmark projects in the school, including a modern sports complex, indoor sports facility, e-library, boreholes, and perimeter fencing.

He commended teachers and staff of the school for the significant improvement in students’ academic performance, revealing that the school recorded 94 per cent credit passes in external examinations in 2024 and 85 per cent in 2025.

Charlean Adekunle further celebrated several old students who have attained prominent positions in the country, including Justice Olubunmi Oyewole of the Supreme Court, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and Professor Akeem Olawale Lasisi, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun.

He also congratulated Professor Babatunde Benjamin Adeleke on his recent appointment as Chairman of the Osogbo Elders Council.