The National Executive Council of the Oriwu College Old Students’ Association of Nigeria (OCOSAN) and the planning committee of the 70th anniversary of the premier college in Ikorodu Division, have embarked on visitations to stakeholders in preparation for the much awaited anniversary event.
According to the OCOSAN National President, Engr. Charles Longe and Chairman, Planning Committee, Alhaji Safari Sule Aremu, the visits are to carry the major stakeholders across the division along in the celebration and draw support for the anniversary.
The college clocked 70 on May 29, 2019, and the old students converged on the school hall to perform a cake cutting ceremony with students and staff members.
According to the week-long programmes of the anniversary event released by the Media and Publicity Committee of Oriwu College at 70, the celebration will start with a world press conference in October. This would be followed with a Jumat Service on Friday, October 25, 2019 at the Ikorodu Central Mosque, Ikorodu.
On Saturday, October 26, former and current students of the school will stage a walk for fitness round major streets in Ikorodu. The walk would commence at the Ikorodu garage roundabout and terminate at the Oriwu College, Ikorodu.
Other programs are Thanksgiving Service, a day with the school students among others.
At the grand finale that would hold on the school premises on November 2,2019, award would be presented to some individuals while fund would also be raised for a modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre for the school.
The visitation team visited the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Semiudeen Kasali, and Oba Bashir Sotonwa, Sekumade of Ipakodo on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, as well as the Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly , Hon SOB Agunbiade, on Friday, September 13, 2019.
The Chairman, Lagos State Local Government Service Commission, Alhaji Babatunde Rotinwa was viisted on Sunday, September 8, 2019.
Speaking at the Adeboruwa palace, Alhaji Aremu stated that the team was visiting the palace due to the roles played by the former Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Omolaja Ogunlewe , and entire Igbogbo people in the establishment and sustenance of Oriwu College.
He stated that the visit was necessary in order to carry the royal fathers in the division along and intimate them on the programs lined up for the anniversary celebration.
Alhaji Aremu, on behalf of the national body and the planning committee, sought for support of Oba Kasali and entire Igbogbo community towards the successful celebration of the anniversary.
He also called for their presence at the grand finale on November 2, 2019, and financial supports towards the proposed construction and equipping of a modern ICT Centre for the school.
Engr. Longe , while also speaking at the Adeboruwa palace, stated that the committee needs assistance from major stakeholders in the division to stage a befitting 70th anniversary for Oriwu College which he described as pride of Ikorodu division.
High Chief Tajudeen Alade Onasanya, the Odofin of Igbogbo, in his remarks, enjoined the planning committee to ensure that Igbogbo is part of the venues for some of the activities lined up for the anniversary.
Oba Kasali in his response, welcomed the visitation team and commended them for recognizing the roles played by his successor in the establishment of the college.
Like Odofin of Igbogbo,Oba Kasali also called for inclusion of Igbogbo community in the programs, stating that such gesture “Would go a long way in giving the people sense of belonging”.
The royal father also commended the premier college for impacting positively on Ikorodu division.
“The school has been playing significantly roles in the development of Ikorodu division. Many of our sons and daughters and residents who attended the College are always speaking glowingly about the school.
“They are proud alumni and we are also proud of the school.
“You can count on the support of Igbogbo community as far as the Oriwu College 70th anniversary is concerned” , he assured.
While welcoming the visitation team to his palace in Ipakodo, Oba Bashir Sotonwa , who is an alumnus of the premier college, also commended the school for its positive impacts.
While pledging to render financial and other supports for the anniversary celebration, the monarch also promised to contact other old students and his associates to also support the celebration.
When visited at his Constituency office in Ikorodu on Friday, 13, 2019, by the visitation team, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade commended the planning committee for deeming it fit to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Oriwu College which he also described as pride of Ikorodu.
He stated that though, he did not attend the premier college, but he’s fond of the school’s achievements and impacts on Ikorodu division.
“Oriwu College, Ikorodu , is our collective pride in Ikorodu Division. The school is bearing one of the significant names associated with Ikorodu which makes every Ikorodu person has attachment to it.
“More importantly, the school has been playing very positive role in bring academics and other honour to Ikorodu. I will ensure that I do everything within my capacity to support the school and its anniversary celebration”.
Agunbiade , who is representing Ikorodu Constituency I at the Lagos State House of Assembly, also stated that two of his brothers – Prof. Adeniyi Agunbiade, the Vice Chancellor, McPherson University, and Alhaji Lateef Agunbiade, a senior teacher in Ikorodu Technical College, Ikorodu, attended Oriwu College.
Meanwhile, the anniversary’s planning committee, on Sunday, September 8, visited Alhaji Babatunde, the Chairman, Lagos State Local Government Service Commission, who said he was happy seeing the team.
He commended them for creating time for the development of their old school.
Alhaji Rotinwa, who was a former Head of Service, Lagos State, and an alumnus of Oriwu College, also charged the committee to consider turning the school environment to a green site to behold by planting trees and beautiful flowers as it is being done in great institutions.
While pledging financial support for the anniversary, Alhaji Rotinwa also added that he would facilitate publicity on the state television and to also ensure that some of his colleagues also support the anniversary.
