Kunle Adelabu & Oyewumi Adebisi
-Remembers late members, support families, others
The weeklong 30th anniversary of the 1996 Class Set of the Oriwu College Old Students’ Association of Nigeria (OCOSAN), came to conclusion with a grand celebration and reunion, awards and welfare support for members and families of deceased colleagues.
The anniversary celebration, held on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at Olatoyin Lions Activities Centre (OLAC), along Ibeshe Road, Ikorodu, Lagos, brought together members of the set, their families, friends and distinguished guests to mark three decades since they left Oriwu College, Ikorodu.
The celebration was the grand finale of a week-long programme which began with a fitness walk on Saturday, September 19, followed by a career talk for students of Oriwu College on Thursday, September 24, where members returned to their alma mater to share knowledge and encourage the younger generation.
The anniversary featured the presentation of awards and recognition to members and individuals who have contributed to the growth and success of the association and community, as well as welfare interventions for members and family members of late colleagues.
While six members were supported financially, including Morufat Kamoru, Adeniyi Afolabi, Olawunmi Oladehinde, Sulaimon Ganiu, Titi Oduniyi and Bayo Sofunwa; three families of deceased members of the set were also supported -Kafayat Popoola’, Fausat Oshinkoya and Idris Ogunlaru
In his welcome address, Chairman of OCOSAN ’96, Mr Adewale Odumuyiwa, described the anniversary as a significant milestone, recalling the experiences and relationships that had kept members connected three decades after leaving school.
“Standing here today, I must confess that it is genuinely hard to believe that thirty years have passed since we walked out through the gates of Oriwu College and left our secondary school days behind us,” he said.
Odumuyiwa noted that the memories created during their secondary school years had continued to bind members together despite the passage of time.
“The friendships forged within those school walls, the lessons we learnt both inside and outside the classroom, the mischievous moments, the laughter, the competition, the struggles, the countless memories of our youth created a bond that thirty years could not erase,” he said.
He added that the anniversary was more than a reunion, describing it as a celebration of “friendship, brotherhood, and sisterhood, resilience, achievement, and our shared history.”
The National Secretary of OCOSAN, Sholanke Lateef, popularly known as “Arizona”, represented the National President and also conveyed the goodwill of the national executive to the 1996 set.
In his message, the OCOSAN President described the anniversary as an opportunity for members to reconnect, reminisce and renew the bonds formed at their alma mater.
“As your President and a proud member of the OCOSAN family, I am particularly delighted to witness you come together after three remarkable decades to reconnect, reminisce, laugh together, celebrate your achievements and renew the bonds that began within the walls of our beloved alma mater,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation to the 1996 set for their support and solidarity during his re-election as President of OCOSAN, describing their support as a demonstration of friendship and trust.
The President urged the members to sustain their friendship and reunion tradition beyond the 30th anniversary.
“Keep the friendship alive, keep the reunion spirit burning and let this 30th anniversary be the beginning of many more memorable gatherings, stronger relationships and greater accomplishments together,” he said.
One of the notable moments of the celebration was the welfare session, during which the association extended financial support to families of deceased members and other members requiring assistance.
The set observed a minute’s silence in honour of three deceased members, after which representatives of their families received cheques of N50,000 each as a gesture of support and remembrance from the association.
Presenting some of the cheques, one of the guests, Hon. Azeez Okemati, commended the 1996 set for demonstrating concern for its members and their families.
“Sincerely, we will go back to the town and tell them of this good deed of OCOSAN ’96. It is a great thing that all other sets under OCOSAN and schools should emulate from you,” he said.
He added, “God bless you and we shall continue to rise higher than this.”
The pioneer Chairman of OCOSAN ’96, Pastor Adesoji Sotuyi, also expressed delight at the successful celebration, recalling the uncertainty surrounding the organisation of the anniversary in the weeks leading to the event.
“I am so happy about this event. About a month ago, it was looking like it was not going to be possible, but we give all glory to God,” Sotuyi said.
He recalled a prayer he made during the set’s 25th anniversary, saying he had prayed that members would still be together without losing any member by the time they marked 30 years.
“One special thing that gives me joy is that this time when we had our 25th Anniversary, I made a request to God that by the time we would be doing our 30th, we would not lose anyone. Today God has answered that prayer,” he said.
Sotuyi, however, looked ahead to the next milestone, expressing hope that members would attain significant positions of influence in the country before their 35th anniversary.
“Now my prayer is that by the time we would be doing 35th Anniversary, we would have at least five people in key positions in this country,” he said.
Among those recognised was Omoba Hammed Olalekan Aroyewun, Executive Chairman of Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area, for his contribution to grassroots development and support for the provision of social amenities in the community; Alhaji Adedeji Olushola Tekobo,; Chief Sunday Itameta and Abiodun Fasawe were also recognised for their contributions towards the success of the OCOSAN ’96 reunion and 30th anniversary celebration.
Notable personalities that graced the occasion were the representative of the Chairman of Igbogbo-Baiyeku LCDA, Mr Kazeem Ogunmuyiwa; Principal of Oriwu Junior Model College, Ikorodu, Mr Raheem Adebayo; wife of the Chairman of OCOSAN ’96, Mrs Adedayo Odumuyiwa; former Vice Chairman, Prince Adedoyin Amokunmosa; and former chairmanship candidate for Agboyi-Ketu Local Government Area, Hon. Olumide Marshall Rhaboke.
The celebration ended with refreshments, pleasantries, merriment and photographs as members of the 1996 set reunited in different class groups to relive memories of their years at Oriwu College.
