Wale Jagun
Mr Akeem Bello, a Director in the Ministry of Education, today (Monday, September 28, 2020) officially assumed office as the Principal of the premier college in Ikorodu Division, Oriwu Model College.
Bello, who was formerly the Principal of Ipakodo Senior Secondary School, took over from Alhaja Abiodun Serifat Ogunniyi who retired after 35 years in active service.
The new Principal holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, while he earned his First Degree in the same discipline from the prestigious Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo.
He hails from Imota area of Ikorodu Division, and also studied Chemistry and Physics at the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Otto/Ijanikin, Lagos.
Mr Bello is the Chairman of the annual Oba Kabir Shotobi Mini – Marathon race which is being sponsored by the Majority Leader, Lagos State House of assembly, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, since inception.
The new Principal is expected to continue the tradition of excellence and outstanding academic performances that the premier College was reputed for during Alhaja Ogunniyi’s administration when the school won many District, State, National and International awards and honours.
Meanwhile, royal fathers, eminent individuals and the national body of the Oriwu College Old Students’ Association of Nigeria (OCOSAN), has charged the new Principal to continue from where his predecessor left and win more laurels for the school.
The Ayangbure of Ikorodu, in his tribute to Alhaja Ogunniyi, had informed the new Principal said he has an herculean tasks ahead and charged him to successfully deliver on the tasks like his predecessor.
“At this juncture, I want to encourage her successor, Mr. Akeem Bello, who is also an energetic teacher and sports administrator, to have it in mind that he has that herculean task of not only sustaining the standard already set by Alhaja Abiodun Ogunniyi, but also to put in place all necessary professional ethics and professional acumen that will surpass the standard of his predecessor”.
The Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly and four term lawmaker, Hon. Sanai Bolanle Agunbiade, in his tribute to Alhaja Ogunniyi, charged Mr Bello to take the College further higher.
“I am happy that you (Alhaja Ogunniyi)are exiting Oriwu College after working so tirelessly to ensure its greatness and it is in that wise that we have worked so tirelessly to ensure that the person that will also succeed you is another energetic and workaholic person who is also very pragmatic and also very visionary.
“We are sure that he (Mr Bello) would continue from where you have stopped and take the school higher by the grace of God”.
Engr. Charles Longe, the National President of the Oriwu College Old Students’ Association of Nigeria (OCOSAN), in his address at the retirement ceremony for Alhaja Ogunnniyi delivered on behalf of the entire former students of the premier College, also enjoined Mr Bello to expect ex – students’ criticisms in their quests to ensure that he continue the tradition of excellence in the school.
“To the new Principal, you are assured of our support, criticisms and observations. Always call on us whenever you are in need or facing any challenge”.
