Kunle Adelabu
-Presents white board, computer sets to school
It was a big celebration when the 1992 set of the United High School, Ikorodu, converged on Boxing Day last year, to commemorate the 30 years anniversary of their graduation from the school.
The ceremony, which was held at the school premises, also coincided with the inauguration of the school’s old students’ association’s first – ever executive body. The members of the set donated white board and computer sets to their alma mater.
Family members of some of the members of the set that are now late, were also supported during the anniversary.
The occasion presented members of the set to recall and share their experiences while in the school;especially with one of their former teachers, Mr Shodade who was described as a foremost teacher who instilled discipline in them.
The retired teacher, who taught them Arts was recognized by the set and presented with a gift.
Prince Dare Oshikoya, Chairman of the set, described the anniversary celebration as a joyous gathering for old school mates and friends to reunite.
He charged members of his set on the need to work together in uplifting the school.
“It feels good to be together again. It’s been 30 years since we all left this school. We are supposed to have done this since May, because we finished our examinations in May 1992, but because of some delays which we cannot rule out we have to shift it till today, though against our plans, but we bless God that for today”, he said.
“Since we left this school, most of us have not seen each other, so, today provides us with the opportunity to reunite and bring back our friendship.
While stating that the objective of the old students’ association was to give back to their alma mater, Oshikoya further charged his colleagues on the need to bring back quality education to the public schools.
“The motive of this association is to support the school. So, I urge you to have that at the back of your minds and let us work together to make public school a comfortable learning environment for our children to come. I believe we can achieve it with our cooperation and our resources”, he said.
“The best education ground is the public school because they have regulations that children must follow unlike the private schools. I have not seen any educational system that is better than the public schools. So with our efforts, the public school can also be as great as we want it.
“We acquired good education in this school and to the glory of God, most of us that passed out from this school have been doing great”, he added.
He recalled the honoree, Mr Shodade’s, whom he said taught them to always keep to time by ensuring that lateness to school is not allowed.
“I remember one of our teachers here, Mr Shodade who will be at that gate by 7:30, and anyone coming late wouldl be flogged, and this has helped us a lot in life, especially in the area of always keeping to time in anything that we do.
“We learnt we must do whatever that we want to do on time and not to be late and that has been what I have learnt from him and same with other former students too.
“Alhaji Oshoala, it is an oversight not to have invited him here. He also taught us a lot, including other teachers too. We thank God for their lives, and we will surely give back to the school”, he assured.
The set chairman also appreciated members of the set in the diasporas for their support and contributions, adding that more of them will be needed in the coming days.
The Senior Prefect of the set, Engr. Akore Robert Egbike, described the set as the best in the school in terms of academic excellence achieved with 90% of them gaining admission into tertiary institutions after their graduation from the school.
Recalling one Mr Dosunmu, their former Geography teacher who they taught was wicked to them while they were in school, but today realised that he was impacting them.
Other former students too shared their testimonies while in United High School and thanked their former teachers for instilling discipline and good education in them.
Mr Shodade, who was honoured by his former students, speaking, thanked the former students of the school for honoring him.
The former teacher, who said that he started teaching at 25 years old, added that he was only instilling discipline that has now made his students great people today.
“I spent 15 years in this school as a student, although, I was a teacher. I came here on January 16, 1986, I started here. At that time, I was just 25 years old when I started teaching here, and I know you are the first set that I taught. In those days, I didn’t mean to be wicked but I just wanted things to go right because I am from a poor background and I have told my daddy that I am going to make it”, Mr Shodade recalled his time as a teacher to students celebrating 30 years of graduation.
“So, it really gives me concern when I become a teacher and see students misbehaving. All the things I did then, I was just doing it not knowing that it will benefit me and if I have the opportunity to be a teacher again, I will still do the same thing.
“My first son is a lecturer at YABATECH, and he lectures at the department of Arts and Designs. So, I pray that you will always continue doing good and if you are doing bad, continue doing it because you’re going to reap it, that’s just the way life is, and I pray you all live long, thank you”, he said.
