Mariam Akinloye
After 50 years of their graduation from the Oriwu College, Ikorodu, which is the premier college in Ikorodu Division of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, members of the 1968/72 set returned to the school to celebrate their anniversary with debate among schools.
Two other junior and senior secondary schools were invited to compete with Oriwu Colleges in the debate held at the premier college’s Hall in Ikorodu on Friday, October 28, 2022.
At the end of the interesting debate, Oriwu Senior and Junior Model Colleges emerged victorious in the two categories.
The senior school scored 82 points to beat their students from Ikorodu Senior Grammar School and Yewa Senior Grammar which scored 79 and 49 points to emerged second and third respectively.
In the junior category, Oriwu Junior Model College, Ikorodu, won with 80 points while Ikorodu Grammar School came second with 57points and Yewa Junior Grammar scoring 41points to claim the third position.
Mrs Olabisi Oshinleye , Chairman, 1968/1972 set, in her address, said that the 50th anniversary of the set was an opportunity to celebrate the academic and others achievements of the old school.
“This 50th anniversary is an event and perfect time for friends to get together to celebrate the achievements of this school”, she said.
“I am very honoured to be with you on this important occasion. Today, I am amazed to see how well established and prestigious this school has been, looking back at its modest beginning.
“Oriwu is committed to all round education with unique global perspective and stride for excellence in sports, education, various competitions and has recorded outstanding achievements
“Our teachers, parents and we the old students are proud of the excellent academic results of the school, as well as its talents in arts and sports.
“Today, the school and others invited will thrill us with debating skills and participating schools will contest for awards”, she said.
She commended the school management and teachers for guiding the students of the school and developing effective educational strategy in engaging the students
The chairman of the set also called for engagement of students of the school in community activities.
“I will like to encourage that apart from pursuing good performance of academic excellence, the school must also lay emphasis on community work and allow students to take part in community services throughout their secondary school period to enable them acquire positive value that will help them withstand the adversities in life and prepare them to be responsible and caring citizens”, Mrs Oshineye said.
She said that the school has instilled in her students great values that have propelled them to be great and the reason why they are giving back to the school.
Mrs Oshineye charged parents to ensure that moral values and discipline are instilled in their children and wards.
Principal, Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu, Mr Akeem Bello, said that he was glad to see former students of the school whom he described as grand mothers and fathers, returning to give back to the school 50 years after.
“I am so glad to be part of the story. It has been a wonderful programme and we thank them for what they have done”, he said.
The principal said that virtually every set of the school has been returning to assist, but added that the 1968/1972 set is the oldest of all.
“Actually in Oriwu College, all past sets have been coming to assist the school in one way or the other, but the interesting thing about this set is that they are the oldest set that has ever come to give back to their alma mata. Other sets too have been coming.
“My advice to those set that have not been giving back is to copy from all these old men and women, so that they can support government in having good educational development in the state”.
Commenting on the acknowledgement of the school’s performance in the last WAEC, Mr Bello said:
“That was about 72 hours ago, Oriwu Senior Model College was commended for excellent performance in WAEC. Last year, we recorded 100% with 122 students and in 2022, we presented 172 students and all of them score credit and above in 5 subjects and above in all the departments of their studies and that gave us the opportunity to be recognised by the District this year again. It was a recommendation letter that was given to us by the Tutor General”, Mr Bello said.
Members of the set who were well represented, had good time interacting and celebrating their anniversary with students and staff of the former school.
Mrs Awojide Kafilat Omoyemi, Principal, Orowu Junior Model College, Ikorodu in her own remarks also commended members of the set for remembering the school 50 years after their graduation.
She charged other sets to emulate their acts, while also enjoining the current students in school to learn from their good examples.
