Can you please introduce yourself and tell us about your role as the president of this great alumni association?
My name is Bolade Thomas, Nee Oredugba. I am currently the Global President of St. Margaret’s Old Girls Association (SMOGA) and President Emeritus of Lagos Branch. As the Global President, my role is to help build a strong global association by harnessing all SMOGA Branches and Sets worldwide. This I am able to do with the support of a fully dedicated and committed Exco team.
Who has been your greatest inspiration and source of encouragement in leadership?
On the Spiritual side, I have always admired Jesus Christ, whom I call the greatest CEO of all time. He is my source of leadership inspiration. He came, he built a strong management team through the disciples. What started with a team of 12, grew to be a global phenomenon. His leadership ability was unquestionable and his management skill was second to none. He was firm but loving and accommodating but accountable. What more can one ask of a leader? He is worthy of emulation.
Coming back to our world, my Dad had always been another source of inspiration to me. He was a perfect gentleman who believed that ‘hard work doesn’t kill’. He also passed on the baton of fairness and equality.
Going back to memory lane, can you share with us one of your fondest memories or moments as a young student in SMOGA?
As a young student in St. Margaret’s School, I grew up loving my school, my friends and all that was there. Strange but true. I was actually in love with the school. I remember Going to the ‘brook’ to fetch water with buckets, the social gatherings held in the ‘Common Room’, where IK Dairo’s music would be blaring from the ‘Gramma phone’. ‘His Master’s Voice’…Those were joyful moments I cherish to date.
Can you share one or two memorable experiences you’ve had as the president?
One major event that happened that I can remember as President, is the celebration of the School’s 70th anniversary in October 2023. It was a grand occasion which brought all Old Girls together. Reunion of friends and classmates was ignited, charging the atmosphere. It was amazing seeing Sisters For Life (SFL) exchanging pleasantries after many years since graduation.Many projects were also commissioned. The philanthropic nature of our members came to light as many Class Sets, Branches, global body and individuals featured laudable projects in honor of our Alma mater. To me, That moment demonstrated the stability of our Association.
What challenge (s) have you faced as the president and how did you overcome it?
The main challenge I am facing now is getting more members into the fold. There are many successful old students all over world today and we need to reach out to them one way or the other. A lot of members are sitting on the fence waiting and watching and we need to bring them into Our fold. They need to be told again that making new friends in their new employment, new location, etc, is normal, but keeping old friends, like school mates, is a lot better. Thank God for advanced technology and social media. We will be reaching out to more old girls via these communication links as we intensify our membership drive.
How has the alumni association contributed to the lives of its members and the younger generation?
Our Association is a non- profit organization and therefore does not embark on income generating ventures, rather we exist largely on donations from members and friends of SMOGA. The Association tries to connect members who are in business with one another. For members in need, the association creates awareness either by reaching out to individuals or groups assistance to resolve such issues.We focus more on building a better future for the next generation by promoting structures in school that support educational advancement. We also induct young school leavers into our fold, during their valedictory events. We believe that when they are in the world, they might need some guidance in navigating the rough tertiary institution or business terrain. They can follow us on our Website, Facebook, etc., by so doing they are not thrown unprepared into the deep waters
What projects or initiatives are you most proud of so far?
It’s tough to say which project I am most proud of because each project is targeted on needs. The initial project we accomplished was the block of Classrooms. We believe that students should not study in despicable environment, where rainwaters flow down freely into classrooms etc.Another laudable project that gladdens my heart is renovating the School Hall building, which was in a very pathetic and dangerous state. These projects were accomplished jointly through contributions by members all over the world.There’s also the ICT center in operation, located within the classrooms block. Many projects are currently in the pipeline. It is my prayer that they too will be accomplished very soon, with God on our side.We implore State Government to infuse more funds into educational budgets in order to boost the standard of education in Schools. Old students will keep trying but we would need the State Government to compliment the efforts.
What advice do you have the future presidents of the alumni association?
Simple. Future Presidents should be very committed to SMOGA affairs and be ready to work. I have always likened my presidency to that of a builder building a new structure. I am here to lay the foundation of the Global structure and it must be solid. Future Presidents will continue to lay the bricks efficiently and creatively as the structure goes up, ensuring that the house is solid and can withstand the test of times.
In what ways can the current alumni members show more support to the progress of the association?
I would like to see more members come into the fold, either by joining their Class sets or Branches. However I will still implore members to join the Branches. A tree can’t stand without its Branches and branches won’t look good without leaves and leaves can’t stand alone without branches. I will liken the Tree to Global body, Branches need the Tree to hang on and Leaves need the Branches to sit on. So members need to come together as one to support our initiatives.
Looking back, what has been the most rewarding part of being the president of this alumni association?
The most rewarding part is meeting alumni from the ‘50s to 20s. Most I never met in school but now so close to me like we have always been together! The bond of friendship gets renewed at all levels, sharing live moments like one big family. It’s incredible!
Can you share a brief story of how the journey has been so far. From the inception of the alumni association to becoming a global association?
For me, The Journey started with the Lagos Branch in the 90s. For years, the Branch had been trying to stabilize despite the efforts made by members but we just couldn’t get it to stay. In 2006, we decided to give it another try. That was when I took over the reigns as the President Lagos Branch, supported by an incredible Exco team. As the Branch grew and other branches were being formed all over the country, we discovered that there would be a need for a National body for better coordination and synergy. The lot fell on me to establish the National body in 2019.SMOGA NATIONAL has now evolved into SMOGA GLOBAL ,with the addition of the UK Branch and North America/Canada Branch. Right now, we have Branches in Lagos, Ibadan, OSUN, Kwara, Abuja and we are still counting! To God be the Glory.
What legacy would you like to leave behind as president?
My legacy will be to leave a solid SMOGA Global network, to promote friendship, while collectively contributing to the development of educational standard of our Alma mater.SMOGA is totally committed to bringing back the old glory of St. Margaret’s School, Ilesha. It is a task that must be done. So help us God!