Kunle ADELABU
The much awaited celebration of the 70 years existence of the premier college in Ikorodu Division, Oriwu College (now Oriwu Model College) commenced in grand style on Friday, October 25, 2019, with a Press Conference during which the National Executive Council of the Oriwu College Old Students’ Association of Nigeria (OCOSAN) and members of the Oriwu College 70th Planning Committee unveiled the week-long activities to commemorate the anniversary event.
The chat with the media men was held at the school hall and was attended by officials of the national body of OCOSAN, former students, principals of both Oriwu Model Junior and Senior Colleges and current students.
On the same day, the old students was led by the acting National President, OCOSAN, Engr. Charles Longe, and the Chairman, Oriwu College 70th Anniversary Planning Committee, Alhaji Safari Aremu Sule, to a special Jumah prayer service at the Ikorodu Central Mosque, Obun –Ale, Ikorodu, where Muslim prayers were offered for the anniversary event and continuous development of the school and the old students’ association.
The following day, Saturday, October 26, hundreds of former and currents students as well as staff members of the premier college took to the major streets across Ikorodu township a marathon walk tagged, ‘Walk for Fitness’.
During the walk, homages were paid to the Mabodu house, popular known as Elephant House, Andu house and the African Church Bethel Cathedral, Ikorodu, which had, at one time or the other, been used as temporary sites for the school.
More so, the fitness walk train stopped over at the Ayangbure of Ikorodu to pay homage to HRM Oba Kabiru Shotobi, who gave the crowd a warm welcome with dance and words of encouragement.
The celebration continues on Tuesday, October 29, with a programme tagged, “A Day With Students”.
Speaking at the press conference on Friday, Engr. Longe stated that the Tuesday’s event would feature lectures on “Drugs and its Effects”, and “Cultism and its Consequences”.Among those to speak with the students on the topics are Wasiu Bandele Odufisan and Mr. Olanrewaju A.Hermann
There would also be career talk where resource persons are expected to guide the current students of the school in making decision on future careers.
The event is slated for 10am at the Oriwu College hall.
Engr. Longe added that, “Old students of our school are expected to be in school uniform for the event. This will make them communicate effectively with the current students “, he stated.
The Day 4 of the anniversary event (Wednesday, October 30, 2019) would witness the commissioning of a 300 Double-bunk-bed for the Boys’ Hostel, donated by the old students’ association.
The special guest of honour is the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The celebration would climaxed on Friday, November 1, as Old students, important dignitaries and well-wishers would converge on the Ikorodu Musical Village, Oke Ota-Ona,Ikorodu, for the Grand Finale/Dinner.
At the dinner event, there would be presentation of awards and N150million fund raising for the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre project, block of classrooms and Girls’ hostel projects.
The Special Guest of Honour at the event is Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Executive Governor of Lagos State.
Admission into the venue of the dinner event, which is slated for 4pm, is with an Access card sold for N5, 000.00.
Curtain would be drawn on the celebration on the Day 6 (Sunday, November 3, 2019) with a Thanksgiving Service (Community Hymn Singing) at the African Church Bethel Cathedral, Aga, Ikorodu by 10am.
Oriwu College, Ikorodu, which was founded in 1949, has provided many national and international icons, professionals and individuals who have made giant landmarks in various fields of human endeavours.
“Over the years, the school has produced notable icons that have made their marks in different fields”, the national president stated.
Among those listed to have made solid impact in Politics are Prince Adeseye Ogunlewe (former Senator and Minister), Hon Moshood Salvador and Hon. Olanrewaju Sunmi Odesanya (former memberof Lagos State House of Assembly), while in business, there are people like Alhaji M.M Bolarinwa, Otunba Akin Awomodu and Mrs Mosun Masha.
Many products of the school have also contributed immensely towards the development of Public Service in Lagos State.Notably among these are Alhaji Tajudeen Rotinwa (former Headof Service and current Chairmanof Lagos State Local Government Service Commission), Adesegun Ogunlewe (former Head of Service), David O. Sunmoni ( former Auditor-General of the state) and Ganiyat Afun (nee Ajenufuja).
In the area of Security, there are achievers like Rtd Major General Toyin Ibrahim, Rtd AIG Araba Olakitan, Rtd Major General Soji Awomodu and Col. Mufutau Bello.
The school has also provided eminent lawyers such as Dr Foluke Dada (Nee Lawanson) and Mr Muyiwa Onabanjo.
In Science and Technology field, Engineer Charles Longe, the President, Oriwu College Old Students’ Association of Nigeria, and several others are also making their marks, while the likes of Dr. Jemilade A.Longe, Dr. Demola Dixon among others are contributing immensely to the field of medicine.Also, the likes of Prof Gabriel Fagade, Prof Kunle Wahaab, Mrs. Kudirat Lamina (Nee Anifowose), Mrs Silifat Ishola (nee Adeleke), Prof Hakeem Fashina Bombata and Prof Jubril Agunbiade among others have contributed immensely and are still doing so to the development of Education.
