ALCON 2022 — Deepening the Journey Toward Unity

Visionary Leader, Engr. IDOWU Hamed Ademayowa

The year 2022 marked another defining chapter in the evolving story of unity within the Shams‑El‑Deen Grammar School Alumni Association. Building on the strong foundation laid in 2021, when the first-ever Unity Party gathered five courageous branches under one roof, the leadership intensified efforts to broaden participation and strengthen the bond across all SGS graduating sets.

A President’s Determination to Unite the Alumni Body

Guided by the unwavering vision of Engr. (Dr.) Hamed Ademayowa, the Association’s President, 2022 became a year of intentional diplomacy, bridge‑building, and relentless engagement. Throughout the months leading up to the conference, the President held a series of meetings with various sets, sometimes individually, sometimes in groups, appealing to their shared identity as SGS alumni. These conversations bore fruit:

  • Several sets formally agreed to unite with the central body for ALCON.
  • Others who had already conducted their personal end‑of‑year gatherings pledged to join the main conference going forward.
  • Momentum grew as the call for collective celebration became more widely embraced.

Through persistence, conviction, and strategic outreach, the President’s message resonated across the Association: SGS is one family, and our strength lies in our togetherness.

A Landmark Achievement — 11 Branches United

The outcome of these efforts was historic. By the time ALCON 2022 commenced, 11 branches had come together under the central celebration, more than double the participation of the previous year. This extraordinary turnout signaled a shift in the alumni culture: From fragmentation to cohesion, From isolated gatherings to a unified celebration of heritage and From sets to one strong SGS community.

A Surprising Twist: The Exit of 1991/92 Branch

However, 2022 was not without its dramatic moment. After participating in the Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the central venue, the 1991/92 branch, under the leadership of Mr. Majekodunmi Olayinka, made an unexpected decision. Immediately following the AGM, the branch moved its end‑of‑year celebration away from the central location to an isolated location within the school compound where the event took place, counter to the unifying momentum of the conference. Despite this surprising withdrawal, the spirit of ALCON 2022 remained unbroken. The unprecedented presence of 11 united branches stood as proof that the movement toward unity had gained irreversible strength.

A Year that Strengthened the Foundation of ALCON

ALCON 2022 reinforced several truths:

  • That unity requires persistence, dialogue, and patience
  • That leadership must sometimes challenge resistance for the greater good
  • That one act of courage can inspire others to follow
  • That the SGS Alumni community is stronger together than apart

While not every branch chose unity that year, the overwhelming acceptance by 11 branches showed that the President’s vision was not only alive, it was expanding.