CITIZENS COMPASS— Members of the Ikeji Ile High School Old Students Association (IIHSOSA), Osun State, yesterday, announced the celebration of the 50 years of the school.
According to the announcement signed by Julius Adegunna, Chairman, Media & Publicity Committee, Ikeji Ile High School, a secondary School established by the Ikeji Ile Ijesa Community in the now Oriade Local Government of Osun State clock 50 years on September 20, 2026. The school opened for business on September 20, 1976 under the principalship of the late Prince Timothy Olusanya Atobatele.
The announcement was made by the members of the executive led by the President Chief Ojo Lasisi Bamidele after a meeting of the Anniversary Planning Committee.
Towards this milestone, a number of exciting activities have been approved by the exco to celebrate the landmark.
The celebration shall be kicked off with an anniversary Lecture on Monday 21st September, 2026 in the school premises, and it will be expected to be attended by members of the current academic community of the school comprising the students and teachers, members of the Old Students Association, members and leaders of Parents Teachers Association, as well as friends and well wishers from within and outside the community.
Selected to address the august gathering are some members of the Old Students Association who have distinguished themselves mostly in their chosen careers. Among these are Professor Adekunle Adediji of the Department of Physics of the Federal University of Technology Akure, Dr. Kayode Jegede of National Teachers Institute, Kaduna, and the newly selected Akeji designate, Dr. Abiodun Badewa.
The grand finale will be fully celebrated later at a date to be chosen in consultation with the installation committee of the Akeji-elect.
Speaking about the celebration, the President of the Old Students Association, Chief Ojo Lasisi Bamidele said the final celebration was yet to be decided due to the formal installation of the Akeji elect, Dr. Abiodun Badewa who is a prominent member of the association. “We want to seriously consider his installation to be a part of the celebration.
“What is most important now is to mark the day our school was established which is September 20, 1976, and September 20, 2026 is a Sunday, we have decided to host a Special Anniversary Lecture on the following day and we expect all our old members that can make it there to be present to honour the day. We are expecting our members from different parts of Nigeria and the diaspora to be part of the celebration.
Meanwhile, special sub-committees have been set up to put up a befitting celebration. Preparations are already in advance as a special Ankara Aso Ebi has been adopted by members to be used for the grand finale which will feature plenty of wining and dining, mutual interactions among members, as well as between the old and new students.
Other social aspects of the event are participation in the Annual Inter House Sports Competition of the School, Interactive sessions among members, Prayer and Worship Sessions in Mosques and Churches in the Community, and it will be rounded off with a Special 50th Anniversary Reception which will feature presentation of awards to some deserving members of the association, presentation and dedication of legacy projects by each of the sets, and Special Recognition and Awards to some of the past Principals and Teachers.
Since 1976, Ikeji Ile High School has added values to the growth and development of the community.
It has produced eminent scholars, businessmen and women, politicians and professionals in different walks of life across the world.
It has served as a ray of hope to the young and upcoming children in the community and its environs.
When it started, admission were not limited to only the indigenes and the neighbours, as students came from the present day Oyo, Lagos, Kwara, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo and even as far as Edo, Delta and Cross Rivers States.
With this celebration, it is believed that efforts will be galvanised to draw more attention to the school for more developments, especially in terms of infrastructure and the training of the current and coming students of the school.
Expected to host is the current President of the Old Students Association, Chief Ojo Lasisi Bamidele and members of his Executives. Other hosts include the Akeji Designate Dr. Phillip Abiodun Badewa who was the first president of the Alumni Association, and his successor Elder Idowu Adeniji, as well as the current Principal Mr. Sunday Adegboyega Adefokun.
Expected to grace the occasion are distinguished personalities from Nigeria and other parts of the world including the Governor of Osun State, Federal and State Legislators, Local Government officials, as well as many well wishers of the school and its old Students.
The current exco is presently led by Chief Ojo Lasisi Bamide as President, Mr. Samson Olukoya Ogunbusuyi as Secretary and Lanre Omimakinde as the Treasurer.
