It was celebration galore for Igbaga – Ogunakin Community in Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area (LCDA) as residents rolled out the drums to mark the tripartite anniversary of their community school, Church and Community head (Baale) in grand style.
While the school, St. Saviour’s Anglican Primary School, and church, St. Saviour’s Anglican Church, were marking 60th anniversary, the Baale, Chief John Ayotunde Olubowale, was celebrating two years anniversary of his installation as Baale of the ancient community.
The marathon celebration which was sponsored by Baale Olubowale took off on Friday, February 14, 2020, with the school anniversary which was held on the school premises amidst impressive turnout of parents, teachers, pupils, community leaders, former pupils of the school, dignitaries, religious leaders and residents.
The historic celebration, which commenced around 11a.m, featured lots of educative and exciting performances by pupil from all the classes and these got both the parents and guests impressed as they intermittently rose from their seats to spray the pupils naira notes to appreciate them.
Among the performances were welcome song, debates short musical drama on by the Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa pupils.
The event also featured a brief history of the school which was narrated to the gathering by one of the former pupils, Mr. Kamorudeen Junaid who graduated from the school in 1983.
He said that the school was established on February 1, 1960, by Ogun State Government and was later taken over by the Lagos State government in 1978.
Mr. Junaid stated further that the school has had fifteen head teachers from inception till date and has produced many pupils who are currently making positive impacts in their respective careers in Nigeria and abroad.
He added the school currently serves Igbaga community and is other neighbouring communities.
Meanwhile, in a brief interview with Oriwu Sun after the event, Mr. Junaid said that the school has not witnessed much development since he graduated about 37 years ago due to lack of government attention.
He also attributed the lack of development in the school to the non-existence of an Alumni Association and assured that plans are already underway to have one to enable him and other former pupils across the country and other parts of the world to give back to the school particularly in the area infrastructure such as classrooms and toilets as well as sports.
Mr. Junaid appealed to the government and residents of Igbaga community to also assist in providing the basic needs that are currently lacking in the school to ensure that the environment is conducive for teaching and learning.
Earlier, the Head teacher of the school, Mrs. Ene Maryrose Obiageli, in her welcome speech, said she was grateful to God for being the person at helm of affairs during the historic anniversary celebration and also congratulated other staff member, pupils, parents and entire residents of Igbaga community on the occasion.
She explained that the school, which was at its lowest point when she took over, has recorded appreciable development especially in terms of infrastructural and population of pupils and staff which according to her, has increased to 1,038 pupils, 14 teaching staff, 5 non-teaching staff and 2N-power teachers.
Mrs. Obiageli, however, lamented the inability of the teachers in the school to partake in the Lagos State government’s Eko Excel program for primary school’s teachers in the state due to lack of necessary infrastructure, particularly blocks of classrooms, stating that this situation might have adverse effect on the teachers and pupils if not urgently addressed.
She, therefore, appealed for urgent support from local and state governments as well as the community for the construction of at least a block of six classrooms to enable the teachers to partake in next Eko Excel programme scheduled to hold in April this year and also to accommodate the current population of the pupils.
She thanked the Parents Forum of the school and UBEC for sponsoring construction and renovation works in the school while equally commending Baale of Igbaga community, Chief J. A. Olubowale, Chief Jimoh Odofin, Baale of Olorunda Community, Rev. L.T. Oladele and the entire Igbaga residents for being supportive of the school’s development.
Mrs. Obiageli, who would be retiring in a few months time, described the support and performances of her teachers and pupils under her leadership as excellent and urged them to maintain same in the remaining period of her stay and when a new Head teacher comes in.
While corroborating the Head teacher’s statements, the Head boy of the school, Goodluck Ariyo, and Head girl, Temitope Shobamowo, in their separate brief interviews with our reporter, equally made passionate appeal to both the government and good spirited individuals to assist in constructing the required six classrooms to enable their teachers participate in the next phase of the Eko Excel programme, stating that their participation in the technology based training would enhance their teaching skills and abilities and this, according to them, would make learning easier and effective for the pupils.
They equally sought urgent support for provision of other basic infrastructure in the school.
Also, Chief J. A. Olubowale, the Baale of Igbaga Ogunakin community, while briefly speaking with Oriwu Sun, described the 60th anniversary celebration of the school as historic and remarkable achievement for the entire community.
He explained that the school has been playing a very crucial role in laying solid foundation for the education and future of children in Igbaga Ogunakin and other neighbouring communities since its establishment 60 years ago.
While stating that he has been mobilizing residents of the community towards the development of the school since he assumed the Baaleship position, Chief Olubowale said that a lot still need to be done to make the school environment conducive for learning and teaching and as a result, appealed to the Ikorodu North LCDA and Lagos state government for provision of classrooms teachers and other facilities in the school.
He also called for the establishment of a secondary school in the community.
The event was rounded off with the cutting of the anniversary cake by the staff, pupils and guests as well as a brief photograph session.
The two-day long celebration continued on Sunday, February 16, with a three in one thanksgiving service to mark the both anniversary celebration of the school and church as well as the two years anniversary of the Baale’s installation.
The service, which was held at the St. Saviour’s Anglican Church, Igbaga, was presided over by Rev. L.T. Oladele, the Priest in charge of the church, and attended by the Baale, his wife, Ajoke, family members, staff and pupils of St. Saviour’s Anglican Primary School, guests and residents who had also come to thank God for the conspicuous anniversary celebration.
Rev. Oladele, while delivering his sermon at the service, thanked God for the tripartite anniversary celebration and added that both the church and school have played significant roles in the development of Igbaga Ogunakin community and its people.
He also congratulated Chief Olubowale on the celebration of his two years anniversary as Baale of Igbega Ogunakin community.
Rev. Oladele described the Baale as a friend of the church, a complete gentleman and intelligent individual.
While commending him for the Progress the community has witnessed under his leadership, Rev. Oladele urged the Baale to continue to be patient with his people and apply wisdom in presiding over the affairs of the community and also be wary of bad advisers.
In his brief response at the church service, Chief Olubowale thanked God for making him to clock two years on the Baaleship throne and commended the church and entire residents of Igbaga-Ogunakin community for their support.
He stated the peace and tranquility which the community has been witnessing under his reign is an indication of God’s love for the community and urged the residents to ensure that the community remain peaceful.
Also at the event, the church leaders and members, staff and pupils of St. Saviour’s Anglican Primary School and the Baale and his family took turns to give offerings in commemoration of the anniversary celebration.
There was also a short presentation by the staff and pupils of St. Saviour’s Anglican Primary School in honour of the Baale for his immense support for the development of the school while an anniversary cake was also cut in commemoration of the church 60th anniversary.
After the church service, the anniversary celebration train moved to the Baale’s residence where guests and resident were entertained.
Meanwhile, Chief Olubowale, in a short interview with our reporters, said that the peace which the community has witnessed after the turbulent aftermath of his enthronement is one of the significant achievements of his reign.
He also stated that he has been able to retrieve the land earmarked for the construction of palace, market and recreation center for the community with the support of his family and sought for government’s support on these projects and provision of motorable roads to further develop the community.
While stating that Igbaga-Ogunakin community has been existing for more than 200 years and has over five other communities under its control, Chief Olubowale urged the government to elevate his Baaleship title to Obaship status to enable the community attain accelerated development.
He thanked his family members and residents of the community for supporting him in the last two years and urged them to continue to support him so that for the continuous development and progress of the community.
The secretary of the Olubowale family, Mr. Olusegun Olubowale Alekujina, while also briefly speaking with Oriwu Sun, said that the family and residents of the community were using the celebration to thank God that Chief Olubowale having been able to successfully spent two fruitful years as Baale despite the controversies that trailed his installation.
He described the Baale a good man who is well loved by his family and people of Igbaga– Ogunakin community while also stating that his reign has witnessed lots of positive changes including the reconciliation of warring members of the family and steady progress of the community.
Mr. Alakujina disclosed that the Baale, in demonstration of his commitment to the development of the community has constituted Baale in Council and Technical committee to strategist on law to further the community and urged the government to come to the aid of the community in terms of infrastructure.
Also, an elderly resident, Mr. Abiona Ademola, said the installation of Chief Olubowale as Baale of the community was putting a round peg in a round hole while he also described him as responsible and respectful person who knows how to relate with his people.
He commended him for his exemplary leadership and advised him to continue to lead the community with the fear of God.