Kunle Adelabu, Mariam Akinloye & Bolu Orebajo (SIWES Student)
-As large crowd turns out for walk for fitness
There was an outpouring of sense of satisfaction and acknowledgement of the contributions of the first college in Ikorodu – Oriwu College, established in 1949, as the school celebrates its 75th anniversary.
The week – long milestone celebration kicked – off on Friday with a special Jumat prayer at the college mosque, followed by a Walk for Fitness/Class Sets’ Day on Saturday, September 28, both of which were massive events.
The walk for fitness, led by the OCOSAN National President, Alhaji Muhammed Busariu Arole, was designed to engage the former and current students in fitness exercise and create awareness for the milestone anniversary celebration of the school which has produced many highly placed personalities at both national and international levels.
The walk for fitness also afforded participants the opportunity to pay homage to various houses that had hosted the college at its inception before it finally settled at its present location which is between Owode and Igbe, along Igbogbo road, Ikorodu.
Houses visited were the Elephant House at Sheriff, Andu House at Anibaba, Fatuga House at Isikalu, Isikalu House along Owolowo/Isikalu Street, The African Bethel Church Cathedral, Aga in Ikorodu and Olori House at Benson, also in Ikorodu, hosted the school at various times.
Also, during the fitness walk, the crowd paid homage to HRM Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, at his palace.
From Oriwu College premises, the crowd walked through Igbogbo road – Sheriff – Anibaba – Ota Ona – Alhaji Street – Ladega – Ojubode – Ikorodu garage roundabout – Ojubode – Ayangbure road – Isikalu Street – Owolowo Road – Ita Elewa – Ireshe Road – Aga back to Sheriff and finally terminated the fitness walk at the school premises where the old students engaged in another activity – Class Sets’ Day.
The novelty match between the old student association and staff of the school ended 1 – 0, in favour of the alumni association.
The Ayangburen of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Shotobi, while welcoming the former and current students to his palace, said that the school, which, according to him, has produced several giants, is unique.
“It is a unique institution. Oriwu College is one of the premier colleges in Nigeria. It has produced a lot of great people in Nigeria. I know some of us here are babies produced by Oriwu College. Our seniors, the founding students of the school, are not here.
“Some of them are still alive. The likes of TOS Benson, former Chief Imam of Ikorodu Central Mosque, Chief Imam Andu, were the ones that laid the foundation of the school. They used their facilities to kick start the college.
“Although, I did not go to Oriwu College, but I have a lot of friends that attended the school.
“Why are we gathering here today? What is the purpose? What message are we trying to pass to the community? The message is that education is key and it is what we believe in Nigeria.
“If you have knowledge, you have everything. If you have knowledge, you will not be deprived of your rights and privileges, and that is why we have a lot of Permanent Secretaries, Commissioners and Head of Service. We have Ministers. I know of former Minister Ogunlewe. I have Senators from the school too.
“We are celebrating to encourage our young ones that are coming up and give back to the society (Oriwu College) that we have benefitted from.
The royal father charged the old students on the need to continue to develop the school, not only for the current students but also for the generations yet unborn.
“I want to see in your agenda what you have in plan for the children yet unborn and what you are doing for the development of Oriwu College. I promise that I will be part and parcel of whatever that you are doing.
“I want to congratulate everybody. I want to congratulate the alumni association for bringing everybody together and co-operating to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the school. This is a legacy”, the royal father said.
Oba Shotobi prayed for the crowd of the old and current students, and wished the school long existence and more achievements.
Hon. Olanrewaju Sunmi Odesanya, a lawyer and the Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State of DAWN & Regional Integration, who graduated from the college in 1985, in his own remarks, said that:
“I finish from this college in 1985. I was privilege to be one of those admitted under Lateef Jakande free education in 1980. One of the best things that ever occurred to me as a mortal is having passed through Orowu College. I am proud of it.
Speaking on the significance of the anniversary celebration, Hon. Odesanya said:
“Well, that the school is close to a century – seven decades and half, is not a joke. Fond memories of the architect of the college and fond memories of the community gladiators that came together that we need a secondary school in 1949. So, it is very significant because the school has turned out a lot of professionals, bureaucrats, technocrats, politicians, business moguls in all realm of our existence as a people.
“One of the benefits of this fitness has to do with health. Medical doctors have told us that the least to walk a day is 30minutes, so, it has a lot of benefits.
He charged alumnus of the school to continue to work together to uplift the school.
“I want to enjoin all the alumnus that the alumni association should be cohesive. I am very happy to be part of 1985 set. We have been so cohesive; we meet regularly; we have projects which are commissioned for the benefits of the school and for the benefit of mankind, especially the students.
“I notice that some sets are not meeting which is not the best. It goes a long way that we meet as brothers and sisters and friends and colleagues, so that we can be communally beneficial to our division”.
Mr Olowosago Kamal, another alumnus of Oriwu College Ikorodu and the Permanent Secretary, Land Bureau, Lagos State, said that he was glad to join others in celebrating the school.
You can see this is a re-union, not only a re-union for 75th anniversary. You can’t have it better than this. I am happy associating with my people and I am coming back home.
“I am someone that is already used to associating with my old school mates, but now seeing my old school seniors, juniors and everybody, is another thing entirely. I am happy and I wish the school well”, he said.
Former Executive Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State on Maritime, Prince Yomi Shopitan, who is a member of the 1988/89 set of the school, described the celebration as a very significant one.
“The 75th anniversary is a very significant celebration and today, which is the walk for fitness day, is important to show both current and old students, Ikorodu, Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole, the importance of taking a walk and how the exercise will keep you mentally fitted in all your endeavors.
“So, it is a significant effort by the current national executive council of Oriwu College Old Students’ Association to really get us out, not just about maintaining our physical and mental fitness, but also to network.
“For instance, I am meeting my seniors in Oriwu College like those in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984 and others. We are one family and this is also to showcase Ikorodu, and emphasize that taking a walk is a good endeavour.
“This is not just about celebrating the 75th anniversary, but also about letting the people know how important walking is”, he said.
Comrade Lekan Biliamin -Oba, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor on Social Development, who graduated in 2005 from Oriwu College, Ikorodu, said that the 75th anniversary is a landmark celebration of the achievements of the school.
“It is a big pleasure today to witness the 75th anniversary of the school. One of the significant reasons we are celebrating the 75 years anniversary of the school is because of its landmark achievements. At some point, Oriwu College produced the best teacher in the country; best Principal in the country and at various times, won different competitions in Mathematics, English Language and other major educational competitions.
“So, these are some of the things that actually inspired this celebration. One thing is for you to have one or two things to celebrate, but another thing is for you to have substance or value that you have added to the community.
“I must commend the organisers for actually thinking about this. This is actually historic as well”, Comrade Oba said.
In his parting words, he charged the college to continue to add value to the society.
“My message is very simple, let us continue to impact knowledge and let continue to add value. Oriwu College is our pride and we must continue to protect it”, he added.
A member of the 1971 set, Alhaji Yemi Oyelaja, also speaking with THE IMPACT, expressed his happiness for the celebration.
He charged the current students to always be of good behaviours and accord their teachers and elders respect, and also uphold the integrity, honour and excellence of the school.
Mr Sulaimon Kazeem Abiodun, a member of 1993 Class set, while also congratulating the school, said that it has contributed significantly to Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria and humanity in general.
One of the current SSS 3 students who is serving as the Laboratory Prefect and who took part in the walk, Afolayan Endurance, said that his participation in the school’s anniversary and that of other current students, is a privilege.
“It is a great thing to be opportuned to be part of this celebration alongside the old students of our school. I think that they have accomplished a lot and that is why they are celebrating the school. It is a privilege as students to know about what they have accomplished.
“Congratulations and a big thank you to them for giving us the privilege to know about what they have accomplished and for also appreciating our own efforts in sustaining the legacies of the school”, she said.
Odukanmi Abdul Ganiu, another SSS 3 student of the school, said:
“I feel grateful and I am sure that I would be part of them one day too.
“I thank them for what they have done for us and what they are still doing for our school as old students”, he said.
The celebration continued on Sunday with Thanksgiving Service at the school chapel and visitation to palaces on Monday, September 30.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, September 2, there will be a special interactive session tagged, ‘A Day With The Current Students’, to be held at the school hall, while the grand finale of the anniversary celebration is slated for Saturday, October 5, at the lkorodu Ultra Modern Town Hall.
