Kunle Adelabu & Olatunji Ademola
-Former Principals, others too
-Commissioner commends college for outstanding performances
Mrs Iyabo Elusakin, the current winner of the Presidential award for Best Teacher in Nigeria, and Mr Temitope Ejide, a former student of Oriwu College who won several laurels at the District, State and national levels, have been honoured for their individual feats.
They were honoured alongside other individuals at the awards dinner/grand finale ceremony of the Oriwu College 70th anniversary held at the Ikorodu Musical Village along Awolowo Way, Ikorodu on Friday, November 1, 2019.
Elusakin emerged best teacher in Nigeria’s Public Schools and was presented an award in Abuja recently. and Ejide who graduated from Oriwu College with the Class of 2013/14, were honoured with Special Recognition category of the awards.
Ejide, who was honoured in the Special Recognition category of the award ceremony, is a final year student of Statistics, University of Ibadan. She won the Lagos State Schools’ Debate (2013/14), Felabration Schools’ Debate (2012), National Debate (School bus award), (2013), One-Day Commissioner for Education, Lagos State (2013).
Eminent personalities honored with Excellence award by the Oriwu College Old Students’ Association of Nigeria (OCOSAN) were – Alhaji Shafari Aremu Sule, Dr. Joseph Ewumi, Alhaji Mutiu Owolabi Ishola-Lemomu, Senator Kingsley Adeseye Ogunlewe, Engr. Afolabi Harrison Dixon, Alhaja Kudirat Olayinka Lamina, FCA, Aremo Adesegun Olusola Ogunlewe and Sir David Olabanji Sumoni, FCA, KJW.
Others honoured in the same category were – Engr. Shamusideen Alade Charles Longe, Mrs. Folake Allison, Alhaji M M Bolarinwa, Mrs. Christiana Li, Otunba Akinola Adegoke Awomodun, Mrs. Funmilayo Balogun, FCA, Dr. Wasiu Bandele Odufisan, Alhaji (Hon.) Moshood Salvador, Brig. Gen. Toyin Ibrahim and QS Olawale Alebiosu.
In the Meritorious award category were – Mrs. Ganiat Adebola Afun, Mrs. Mosun Masha, Rtd. AIG Olakitan Araba, ArchBishop Adeniyi Adeyemi Ajibade, Mr. Funmi Oshodi, Mr. Debo Daini (SPORTS), Mr. Abraham Martins (SPORTS), Mrs. Iyabode Remi Akinbode, Mr. Ademola Olutusin, Mr. Omogoriola Azeez Okemati, Mr. Kamir Damilola Dawodu, Mr. Moruf Kuti, Mr. Kunle Olambiwonnu, Reverend B. A Oshunyomi, Mr. Adesegun Oyefusi, Mr. Femi Oduwole, Alhaji Sulaimon Abiodun Are, Mr. Wasiu Olalekan Tijani, Mr. Lateef Goriola Solanke, Hon. Kunle Oshodi, Pastor Sola Awoye and Magistrate AbdulAzeez Olamilekan Alogba.
Other distinguished individuals honoured in the Special Recognition category were – Alhaji Wakiludeen Lemmy Anibaba, Alhaji Sikiru Olatunde Amure, Mr. A. A. Badmus, Chief C I F. Olaniyan, Mr. O. C. Olanrewaju and Mrs. Abiodun Sherri Ogunniyi.
Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Lagos State, speaking at the awards dinner, commended the old students’ association for supporting the state government in providing enabling environment for students and staff in Oriwu College.
She was represented by the Tutor-Genera/Permanent Secretary (TG/PS), Education District II, Maryland, Mrs Adekanye.
“Without mincing words, Oriwu College, Ikorodu (both Junior and Senior), is a fantastic school in lkorodu division and I can say boldly that it is because of your contributions towards education development in that particular school that has made it the best in lkorodu and Education District ll.”
“I couldn’t believe the achievements when I came on board and I went to the school and see things for myself. I was amazed with the kind of students who are well groomed and behaved in manners that are acceptable in the society.
“I want to give kudos to all of you. If a school is doing better, it’s because of those people that are helping the government. Government can’t do it alone and I want to tell you that we appreciate your support for the school in term provision of hostel, ICT centre and packages for the teachers, vice principal and principals as well as the students.
“I give kudos to you. God will continue to be with you and I must tell you that your products are fantastic products. An example is Mr Oteju, who is an aide of Hon. Babaimi Benson. He treated us with courtesy the other time that we went to Abuja. Such acts made me feel proud to be a Nigerian.
“All over Nigeria, they are asking us where is Oriwu College. We have the best teacher and best Junior School Principal and the best school in Education District 2. We are proud of you, bravo! ”, the Honourable Commissioner stated while commending the school.
The Chairman of the occasion, Professor Emeritus, Kunle Ade Wahab, who also attended the premier college in Ikordu Division, stated that he was proud of the school.
He added that he “feel privileged and proud to associate myself with the progress that the school has made”.
Prof. Wahab commended the school’s Principals, staff, students and old students’ association for their good work in sustaining the college’s enviable standing.
Prof Wahab, who stated that he left the school in Form 5, also commended the school for setting high standard.
While enjoining the current students and old students’ association to ensure that the legacies of the founding fathers of the school are preserved, Prof Wahab also pleaded with guests at the dinner to donate generously towards the proposed projects by the old students’ association in order to further take the school to a greater height.
The National President of the Old Students’ Association, Engr. Charles Longe, in his welcome address, traced the origin of the old school.
“Precisely 29th May 1949, Oriwu College, lkorodu, was founded by some eminent indigenes of Ikorodu in persons of Late Papa C.O.S Benson, (a.k.a Baba Aladura), Mr Christopher O. Odesanya, Late Alhaji Gafar Andu, Alhaji S.O. Gbadamosi, Chief B.O. Benson, Late Oba Festus Ogunlewe among others”, he recalled.
“The college started in a small house of about four-bedroom flat at Ireshe Road (owned by late Alhaji Gafar Andu, the late Chief Imam of Ikorodu Central Mosque) and the opening ceremony was performed by His Royal Highness, Oba Adenaike Alagbe, the then Ayangbure of Ikorodu on 29th May, 1949 while the first set of students were admitted into the college and commenced lessons, same day”.
He stated that the school later moved to Mabodu house (Elepant house), and later to the premises of the African Church Bethel Cathedral, Ikorodu, from where the school was again moved to Abudu Benson house (Olori quarters) off Lagos Road and Tijani Fatuga’s house on Isikalu Street, Ikorodu, where the school operated till December 1956.
“In January 1957, the college finally moved to its present location which is its permanent site (then an uncompleted building).
He added that the school initially had only male students at inception but became co-educational school (boys and girls) in 1963 during the tenure of the then Principal, Mr W.S.M M’cwabeni.
Alhaji Shafari Aremu Sule, the Chairman of the Oriwu College 70th Anniversary Planning Committee and a former National President of the old students’ association, in his address, thanked the entire members of the old students’ association for their supports and cooperation towards the success of the memorable anniversary celebration.
He also commended the Principals and staff of the premier college for keeping the flame of the school burning, while challenging the current students not to relent on the successes of the school.
In a joint speech by the Principals of both Oriwu Senior and Junior Model Colleges, Ikorodu, Alhaji Abiodun Ogunniyi, the Principal, Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu, explained how the school returned to boarding system in 2000.
“In June, 2000, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the then Governor of Lagos State, commissioned new facilities in the school and also renamed it as Oriwu Model College, Ikorodu.
“Like other secondary schools in Lagos State, the school was split into Junior and Senior Secondary Schools on January 6, 2003, while two principals and two vice principals were provided for each school.
She lauded the achievements of the school since inception.
“Oriwu College has become a household name not only in Ikorodu and its environs but also in Lagos State and at the federal level.
“The enviable steady and rapid development and outstanding achievements of the school in academics, sports, cultural and social aspects can be attributed to the hard work of all stakeholders involved in the administration of the school such the State Government, the Principals, Teachers, the entre students, the Old Students’ Associations and the parents”, she stated.
Alhaja Ogunniyi commended the old students’ association for their supports.
“The Old Students’ Associations have been the strong pillars of the school, collaborating with the State Government in creating a conducive learning environment for the students.
“The school has been enjoying the patronages and supports of the old students. There are many projects executed by the old students’ associations, one of which is the newly constructed big Boys’ hostel which was commissioned during the 70th anniversary of the school.
“It is a thing of joy and honour to see all the class sets of the old students in healthy rivalry to give back to their alma mata” she stated.
In his goodwill message, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Shotobi commended the school for being a shining light for Ikorodu Division and its students for being great ambassadors and for projecting the image of Ikorodu positively.
“It is a known fact that the college had produced a lot of men and women that have contributed to human capital development not only in Nigeria but all over the globe.
“Recently, the best teacher in Nigeria emerged from the college. This brought the name of our town to the limelight.
“As the journey towards educational excellence continues, I pray that Almighty God will be there for the entire college community”, Oba Shotobi prayed.
Also in his goodwill message, His Royal Majesty, Oba Semiudeen Kasali, stated that he was glad to identifyy with the premier college on it’s 70th anniversary.
“I am greatly delighted to associate with the old students’ association of Oriwu College, Ikorodu, on the occasion of its 70th anniversary of the College. My excitement is based on these two realizations: The pivotal roles played by the Late HRM Oba Festus Molaja Ogunlewe, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, leading to the establishment of the College and the positon of the school as the premier post-primary institution in Ikorodu Division.
“No doubt, Oriwu College has heralded western civilization into the Division and many of its sons daughters are great beneficiaries, they can stand tall in different spheres of national life. We thank the Almighty God for the vision that brought forth the establishment of the school seven decades ago.
“I congratulate the association on this celebration” , the royal father stated.
Other royal fathers and eminent individuals at the awards dinner were His Royal Majesty, Oba Bashir Sotonwa, the Sekumade of Ipakodo ( a former student of Oriwu College, Ikorodu), Oba Richard Ogunsanya, the Olubeshe of Ibeshe, High Chief Alliu Musediq, the Regent/Olisa of Ijede, Hon. Babajimi Benson, Member, House of Representatives represented by Barr. Oteju.
