Wale Jagun & Taiwo Kudirat (SIWES Student)
-Graduates 57 SSS 3, 56 JSS 3 students
The 2025 graduation ceremony of one of the best private schools in Ikorodu – Topdeal College, held recently was not just a gathering to pass out its students, but also an avenue to reward excellent performances of the students and the commitment of its staff. It was also an opportunity to further prepare the students for life after school.
At the event held at the school premises at 11, Barr. Mike Osso Street, Powerline, First Gate, Ikorodu, on Saturday, September 27, 2025, were parents, friends and guests in attendance to honour their children and students.
At the celebration, the management announced and honoured ISRAEL AKINOLA with 95.69% as the school’s overall best students, while CHIAMAKA EZE scoring 95.56% and PELUMI ODUNLAMI with 93.60 came second and third respectively.
Best students in various JSS and SSS classes and departments were also honoured and presented with prizes.
But it wasn’t all about the students as the Topdeal Schoo management also acknowledged the impacts of outstanding staff too with Best Teacher of the Year award presented to MISS OLUWASEUN ODETOLA and MR EMMANUEL ERIJO honoured with Most Reliable Staff.
Best Youth Corper of the Year award was bestowed on MISS MARY OYEYEMI
Hon. (Dr.) Oladeji Akinola, Chairman, Topdeal College & 3G Educational Service, welcoming students, parents and guests to the event said it marked the end of a session and at the same time, the beginning of another.
He appreciated the support of every stakeholder who he said that the school has been working with to record successes.
“As I stand before you today with immense gratitude and joy, we gather to mark the conclusion of the 2024/2025 academic session. This occasion symbolises not merely the end of a rigorous academic year, but also the dawn to new adventures, exciting possibilities, and rekindled hope for everyone in our community.
“To begin with, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to every one of you present here today. To our dedicated parents and guardians, thank you for your unwavering support, trust and partnership throughout this school year. Your commitment to your children’s education has been invaluable.
“To our incredible teachers and administrative staff ,your relentless effort, resilience and professionalism in nurturing curious minds and creating an engaging learning environment have made a profound impact this year. And to our remarkable students, your insatiable thirst for knowledge, spirited determination and the ability to overcome challenges inspire us all.
“Together we have forged a path towards a successful academic year. We have shared countless hours in classrooms exploring new ideas and celebrated numerous extracurricular triumphs and community service projects. Each achievement and every moment of personal growth has reinforced our collective belief in the transformative power of education,” he submitted.
He lauded his graduating students’ academic excellence and urged them to sustain the discipline and other values that they have acquired in school in their future endeavours.
“To our beloved graduating students, let me extend my warmest congratulations and commend you for reaching this significant milestone. This achievement reflects not only your hard work and perseverance but also your resilience in the face of challenges. Today we celebrate your accomplishments, but I urge you to take a moment to reflect on the journey that has brought you here.
“As you prepare to exit the welcoming gates of Topdeal College, I encourage you to carry with you not just the abundant academic knowledge you’ve amassed ,but also the fine values that have been cultivated within you during your time here.
“Values such as integrity, respect, humility, discipline and compassion will act as your guiding principles in a world that can sometimes be unpredictable and demanding. Remember, education is a lifelong journey that transcends the boundaries of classrooms and formal degrees.
“The most successful individuals are those who remain perpetually curious and committed to continuous learning
“Embracing this mindset will empower you to evolve and adapt in an ever-changing world. If you would allow me a moment to share a personal reflection.”
The educationist who said his inability to win the LCDA Chairmanship election that he recently contested offered him an opportunity to learn new things, enjoined staff and students never to see failure as an end, but a reality that they must embrace to do better.
Dr. Akinola emphasised his appreciation for parents, guardians and staff of the school and urged them to continue to support the school.
The Chairman of occasion, Mr Bankole Asagunla, commended parents for taking off time to identify with their children and wards and urged them to continue to care for them.
Mr Asagunla who commended the Topdeal School for being an outstanding educational institution also charged the school to do more.
“For every parent that comes out today and stands for their child, we really say thank you. The school is just like an agency between the parents and the children but most especially, we the parents have more privilege as regards our children than the school. We see our children grow before us, we say we want an agent to stand in for us which is Topdeal School so we choose Topdeal to stand in for us, Topdeal is a very disciplined Arena and a very beautiful arena that you want to look out for in First Gate, we the parents that are in Topdeal today know the school is really doing more than just being a school to us, they have been doing well fantastically.
“Topdeal has become known in this environment such that everybody reckons with it. We give God glory for that and inasmuch as we the parents entrust our children to them, Topdeal has to do more, there are more things to do. God has given us the grace and wisdom to do better than today and that is what we exist for and Topdeal has been doing that.”
He urged parents to cooperate more with the school to get their children the best by engaging more with the management and exchanging ideas with them.
The chairman of the occasion charged the outgoing students to maintain the good character that the school has instilled in them and be good ambassadors of the school wherever that they go.
The outgoing Head Girl, Temitope Samuel, expressing her delight to speak on behalf of the graduating students recalled the impacts of the school owner on them, especially how he recently prepared them for university education.
“A Few months ago, I recalled how my teacher and role model, Dr. Akinola, imparted valuable advice to my classmates and me regarding our prospective university experiences. Every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday morning, we received constant reminders to read, stay focused, and prepare for our upcoming examinations.
He emphasized that there is no room for complacency in an intense life; instead, one must always strive to excel. He encouraged us to aim high, make our parents, teachers, and ourselves proud.
“Whenever he was sharing his personal experiences, he made us laugh but also ensured we learned valuable lessons from them. His words of encouragement and support were invaluable to us.
“Over the past six years, we have faced numerous challenges: the pressure of academic excellence, financial struggles, the fear of withdrawal, and the weight of expectation from those who believe in us. However, today, we stand triumphant, having overcome these obstacles. Most of us began this six-year journey together, and now, we are concluding this chapter and embarking on a new one – a new level of life.
“We fondly remember the day we prepared for our entrance examinations, eagerly anticipating admission to different schools, but thankfully, we were united in this great institution. Despite occasional constraints that prevented us from participating in social activities and extracurricular pursuits like our peers, we remained consistent, resilient, and committed to our goals.
“Our journey has been remarkable. Although we will miss our early morning routines waking up early, donning our uniforms, attending assembly, completing tasks, and submitting assignments – we take pride in our accomplishments. We will miss our Principal’s authoritative voice resonating through the assembly; our English teacher, Miss Mary, exhorting us to “do your work”, the bell ringing, and even the lively atmosphere created by our junior students,” she said.
She thanked the school and their parents for the opportunity at education given to them.
On his own, Joshua Ifeoluwa Kujore, the outgoing Head Boy, described their journey in the school as memorable and impactful. He thanked the school proprietor for his vision and guidance.
“Today is a day full of emotions. As I stand here, it’s hard to believe that our journey in this school has come to an end. It has been a long path, filled with memories, lessons, and experiences that have shaped us into who we are today.
“Being the Head Boy of this college was not just wearing a badge or having a title, it was one of the greatest honours in my life. It was a chance to serve, grow, and give back to the school that gave me so much. I’ve learned that real leadership requires commitment, discipline, and the willingness to put others before yourself. It means being a role model not because you’re perfect, but because you strive to do what’s right, even when it’s challenging.
“I want to start by thanking our Principal, Dr. Oladeji Oluniyi Akinola, whose vision and guidance shaped the culture of excellence and discipline we all admire. Thank you for believing in me and in all of us, and for always encouraging us to aim higher. May the Glory of God never depart from you. Thank you.”
The outgone Head Boy also extended his appreciation to their teachers, staff of the school, while also not forgetting his colleagues for the time spent together.
He enjoined his colleagues not to abandon the experience garnered in the school, rather, he charged them to let it be their guiding principles.
“As we step into a new chapter, let’s carry with us all the lessons, friendships, and experiences this school has gifted us. And remember, as one door closes, another opens. To my juniors, your energy, excitement, and spirit are the future of this school. Respect your teachers, stay united, and most importantly, stay true to yourself. Your time will come, make it.”
“This is not the end; it’s a new beginning. Thank you, and farewell, not forever, but just for now,” he said.
He also spoke glowingly of his mother whom he commended for her motherly and fatherly roles in his life that has made him the man that he is today.
Parents and guests in attendance were entertained with student choreographers, cultural dancers among others.
Some of the other guests at the Topdeal graduation ceremony were Mrs Temitope Akinola, wife of the proprietor, Mrs Yemisi Idowu, Chairperson of the occasion, TPL Adedeji kamordeen Ibrahim, Topdeal PTF chairman, Mr Rufus Akinlonu, member, PTF Governing Council, Alhaja Nimotallai Abiola and Mr Olufemi Awonuga.
