Kunle Adelabu
Former students of the premier college in Ikorodu Division, Oriwu College, have been pouring encomiums on the outgoing Principal of the school, Alhaja Abiodun Serifat Ogunniyi, for her impact on them during their days in the school and on the school which is regarded as the pride of the Division.
Alhaja Ogunniyi, who will be retiring from active service on September 28, 2020, after 35 years of meritorious and excellence service, was at one time a classroom teacher for many years in Oriwu College teaching Social Studies and History.
She was later posted as Principal of the Senior arm of the school on December 20, 2012, after serving as Vice Principal and Principal in other schools. She went on to win many outstanding awards and honours for the school.
The retiring school administrator nurtured hundreds of students who, today, consider her as a caring mother and a friend.
In appreciation of her immense contributions to the development and success of the school, various Class sets of the Oriwu College Old Students’ Association of Nigeria (OCOSAN), have been organizing retirement ceremonies to honour her.
Many of these Class Sets as well as individual students have also been paying tributes to this understanding woman of honour.
Comrade Lekan Biliamin Sulaiman-Oba, the Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, who is a former student of the premier college, in his tribute, described the award-winning Principal as extraordinary.
“Alhaja is a teacher with extraordinary qualities sent to bless our generation with her knowledge, expertise and heartwarming care. My first encounter with her in the course of planning Save1 Debate and Quiz completion changed my perception about the teaching profession”, the number one youth in the state said.
“As she retires from the noble profession, I wish her greatness in her future sojourn”.
He stated that her wealth of experience is still very much needed in the public sector.
“The Lagos State government or the federal government should make use of her wealth of experience in the public sector as it is needed at this very time.
“We love you Alhaja”, Oba stated.
In a tribute signed by the Mr Lanre Kalejaiye and Kunle Adelabu, the Chairman and Secretary respectively on behalf of the Class of 1995 of the school, they described the retiring Principal as administrator par excellence, a mother and an uncommon teacher whom they said still has many more years of service to give to humanity.
“Alhaja Ogunniyi is not just a teacher, but an administrator par excellence; uncommon tutor with uncommon ways of teaching; passionate developer of young people; astute manager of resources and men and development facilitator”, Class of 1995 stated while describing the retiring educator.
“She taught and imparted knowledge in us without carrying a cane or instilling fear in us in those days. Her method of teaching is being adopted by many teachers. She was loved then and still being loved now.
“Her administrative competence, leadership traits, undiluted commitment and sincerity of purpose have shown in many laurels, awards and honours won during her tenure as the Principal of the premier college in Ikorodu Division, for the school, division and the State.
“She is a woman of many parts, a mother, a teacher, an administrator, a tutor, a politician, a unionist, a manager, a mobiliser, a socialite, a facilitator and an ambassador.
“Although, you are retiring after 35 years of excellent service, we are well aware that you are not yet tired and still have many years of active service to render to mankind.
“We pray that you have a happy retirement and also wish you all the best in your next assignment because we know that a bigger assignment awaits thereafter”.
Tolulope Omitogun, a key member of the 1994 Class set, in his own tribute on behalf of his set, said that the retiring educationist gave his set enabling environment when they were admitted into the college for the 1989/89 academic session.
“Mrs. Abiodun Ogunniyi was my former Secondary School teacher in Oriwu College, Ikorodu. She taught us in the year 1988/1989 as a Social Studies teacher. She is one of the few teachers that taught us when we were freshly admitted as Secondary school students with great enthusiasm. She also provided us with an enabling environment to settle down as young lads back then.
“She is friendly and loving. She is fond of encouraging young lads. Indeed, she is a great icon, good mother and our heroine.
“She is a good role model. I am using this medium to say thank you Ma, for nurturing us to be a good person today. On behalf of the Omitogun’s children, the four of us that passed through your tutelage, I say thank you and l wish you happy retirement”.
Also, members of the Class of 1993, in their own tribute to Alhaja Ogunniyi who won the Best School Administrator in Nigeria in 2015, said that the retiring Principal is a woman who possesses indispensable attributes.
In the tribute, which was sent to THE IMPACT, members of the set said that Alhaja Ogunniyi’s tenure in the college brought about great feats which has placed the school on a high pedestal among the commity of schools.
“Alhaja Abioun Ogunniyi is a woman of indispensable attributes.
“Your reign single handedly reformed Oriwu College and placed it on the pedestal of honour. You have left a footprint in the sand of time.
“Your name will forever be remembered in Oriwu College as a woman of exemplary character. You came, you saw and you conquered”, the members of Class of 1993 stated.
Another member of Class of 1994, Mrs Callister Onwukwe Osuh, also paying tribute to the retiring educationist and community developer in honour of her retirement after 35 years of meritorious service to Oriwu College, Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria and humanity in general, expressed optimism that she will continue to make giant strides in her next engagements after service.
“You led the team to achieve the ladder of success, l know that in your next chapter in life, you will continue to reign in success.
“Happy retirement and congratulations ma”.
In his own tribute, Mr Ajiboye Adebayo, a member of Class of 1995 set of Oriwu College and a teacher in the school who has been working closely with the outgoing Principal and member of the 1995 set, said:
“Alhaja Ogunniyi is a model to behold for those who aspire to be in a position of authority. She is a goal getter who doesn’t settles for less except the top.
“She’s an achiever by all standards. Her temperament and love for the teaching profession have earned her the accolades she received while on duty.
“She’s dutiful and respectful. She accords respect even to the lowest ranked officer. She always works cooperatively with people around her and always makes you work in order to excel. Above all, she is God fearing. I will miss her a lot”, Ajiboye said.
“On her retirement, I wish her all her desires in good health. Happy retirement ma and Congratulations”.
A teacher and Secretary of the Class of 1996 set, Mr Kunle Sopitan, in a tribute on behalf of his set, said:
“Alhaja Sherifat Abiodun Ogunniyi is an astute disciplinarian with a lot of achievements within and outside the state.
“She’s a woman of good character, an embodiment of passion and she’s full of teaching skills. She taught morals, ethics, norms and societal beliefs that can modify one’s life for a better and secured future.
“Her achievements speak volumes of her contributions to education and academic development in the Ikorodu division.
“She has won so many awards for the school locally, statewide, nationally and internationally. She was the Best Principal in Nigeria in 2015 and interestingly, she also produced the Best Teacher in Nigeria in 2019.
“I am proud to say that she has made many professionals in different careers among which we have Medical Doctors, Accountants, Lawyers, Engineers, Pharmacists, and Teachers etc.
“Indeed, Alhaja Abiodun Serifat Ogunniyi is a mother to all teachers and students. A teacher par excellence.
“You have consistently proven that respect, accolades and influence are never demanded but earned. A woman of outstanding reputation and with keen interest to positively impact on everyone that she comes across.
“Although, you are retiring, it is evident that there are still many more years in you for service, especially in developing education in Lagos State, hence, I hope that in no distant future, you will be honoured with an appointment.
“As you bow out of service in grand style, on behalf of my set, l wish you unending happiness, immense riches and more laudable achievements in your next endeavours”.
Mr Wasiu Tijani, the Chairman, Class of 1999 set, also on behalf of his set, wrote:
“Alhaja Abiodun Ogunniyi is a veteran academician and school administrator of the best school ever in the state.
“She was a former Best Principal in Nigeria that had also produced the Best Teachers in Lagos State and Nigeria.
“She won many state, national and international awards for the school and for herself and individual students.
“She has proven beyond doubt that she is the Best School Administrator that the country has ever produced. We are lucky to have you as our former school Principal.
“She is a down to earth woman, responsible and responsive.
“On behalf of my set, I wish her more success in her future endeavours. The legacies that she is leaving behind in the school will forever be appreciated and acknowledged.
“Happy Pens down Super Principal and aadministrator. OCOSAN ‘99 set says thank you for your usual and motherly support always”.
In another tribute, Sholanke Lateef (Arizona), Chairman, Oriwu College Old Students’ Association of Nigeria (OCOSAN), 2000 Set, wrote:
“Satisfaction in life is more important than success because our success is measured by others but our satisfaction is measured by our own mind and heart.
“Alhaja Abiodun Ogunniyi has really encouraged most of us on how important it is to give back to society.
“Your impact and transformation of our great Alma mata will forever be appreciated. Your open door policy to all of us is one of the things I respected so much about you.
“From all of us, members of the 2000 Class Set, we pray that God Almighty continues to protect you throughout the days of your life.
“You’re indeed a leader with an open heart”.
