Kunle ADELABU
The second day of the week-long celebration in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the premier college in Ikorodu Division, Oriwu College, witnessed a massive turnout of both former and current students of the school as a marathon ‘Walk for fitness’ round major streets in the division and a novelty match were held on Saturday, October 26,2019.
As early as 7am , former students of the school had started arriving their alma mata’s premises which was the takeoff point for the ‘walk for fitness’ , and by 8.30am, the crowd had grown big as they were joined by both staff members and current students of the school.
The cheering participants of the fitness walk, numbering over 1,000, were all looking supportive and smart in white and black T-Shirts and fez caps with the inscription, ‘ Oriwu College 70th Anniversary’s Walk For Fitness’.
They took off from the main entrance of Oriwu College,Ikorodu, (now Oriwu Junior and Senior Model Colleges, Ikorodu) and walk through Igbogbo – Ikorodu road, Anibaba, Ota – Ona, Itunmaja, Alhaji Street, Ojuode, Ikorodu garage roundabout, Ayangbure road, Oriwu road, Aga, Ireshe road, Odugate, Obun-Ale, Sheriff amidst dance, music and fun.
The fitness walk, which cut the picture of a carnival-like event, afforded the ex-students the opportunity to reunite with their fellow old mates as well as junior and senior mates.
The walk later terminated at the school’s premises at exactly 11am.
During the walk, the acting National President of the Oriwu College Old Students’ Association of Nigeria (OCOSAN), Engr. Charles Longe , and Chairman, Oriwu College 70th Planning Committee, Alhaji Safari Aremu Sule, led the crowd in paying homage at Mabodu and Andu houses as well as The African Church Bethel Cathedral, Aga, Ikorodu, which, at one time or the other , served as locations for the school before it was finally moved to its present permanent location.
The fitness walk train also stopped over at the Ayangbure palace to pay homage to Royal Majesty, Oba Kabiru Shotobi who welcomed the crowd with dance.
The monarch, while receiving the crowd, lauded the premier college’s achievements and described the school as pride of Ikorodu.
Oba Shotobi also pledged the Ayangbure palace supports towards the anniversary.
Meanwhile, in the novelty match played at the Oriwu College sporting ground in commemoration of the anniversary, the school team defeated the ex-students’ team to emerge the champions.
