Kunle Adelabu
His Eminence, Sheikh Yahya Olorunoshebi Oshoala Ajagbemokeferi, Ameer ul Muhminina As – Samadani and Chief Imam, Oriwu Central Mosque, Ikorodu displaying the Lifetime Meritorious Award presented to him by the 1994 set of the United High Schools Old Students’ Association
His Eminence, Sheikh Yahya Olorunoshebi Oshoala Ajagbemokeferi, Ameer ul Muhminina As – Samadani and Chief Imam, Oriwu Central Mosque, Ikorodu, has recalled his experience on secondary school students rioting during his active days in the service of the Lagos State Government as a teacher and Principal.
The respected Islamic and educational scholar said that he witnessed the unfortunate incident first at the United High School, Ikorodu, when some students who were of bad characters were penciled down for dismissal.
Sheikh Oshola made the revelation at the Symposium/Get – Together event organised by the Class of 1994 of the United High School Alumni Association, where he was honoured with a Life Time Meritorious Award by his former students.
“I have every reason to glorify God. To face with students’ riot, this is the first school (United High School) that I experienced it. I can recollect; was it not in 1990, when we wanted to dismiss many people (students). We wanted to give them quit notice because of their unseriousness and bad behaviours”, Sheikh Oshoala recalled.
“Even though, some of them did very well in their examinations, yet we felt such students should not remain in the school so as not to pollute others.
“We did everything with Mr Adebayo, the then Principal. I was posted here in January 1988 with Mr Adebayo. Both of us came to this school same day”.
The former school Principal who said that he was also posted to Shams – El – Deen Secondary School to also deal with unruly behaviours of students, said that the rioting United High School students on seeing him prostrated and were unable to go ahead with their protest.
“We took the decision to send these students away, but they got to know and gathered to riot and by the grace of Almighty Allah, immediately that I appeared, they all prostrated and since then, nothing of such happened again before I left in 1992”, he said.
“My experience about student rioting was here (United High School) and from here I was posted to Keme Balogun.
“When Shams – El – Deen Grammar School became rotten, I was transferred there too and I met similar students there but by the grace of Allah, God took control and everything was resolved peacefully.
“Thereafter, I was posted to the Government College, Ikorodu. I want to say Alhamdullilahi”, he said.
While thanking his former students for the honour, Sheikh Oshoala dedicated the award to the students of United High School and Ayanbgbure Grammar School that was carved out of the school.
“I want to dedicate this plague of honour given to me to the students of United and Ayangburen High Schools. I pray that Allah makes you people to reckon with in life; to increase you in knowledge; to make you useful to yourselves, parents and the community. May God continue to guide you aright”, Sheikh Oshoala prayed.
“To those that gave me this honour, I pray that God Almighty Allah will continue to propel, guide, and bless them.
“Thank you very much for honouring me”, he said.
