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Less than six weeks after the paramount ruler of Ijesaland in Osun State, Oba Dr. Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, killed the fatted calf and rolled out the drums to celebrate his annual Iwude Festival with him and his people, all roads, again, lead to Ilesa, in Osun State, where the town’s premier educational institution, Ilesa Grammar School, will celebrate the 90th anniversary of its existence.
Activities marking the Granite Anniversary will start on Monday, February 5, 2024, and climax on Sunday, February 11.
Leading the throng will be old boys like the General Overseer (Worldwide) of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, former Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Salihu Modibbo Alfa Belgore, and one-time President of the Nigerian Bar Association, and former Chairman, Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, among thousands of others.
The Special Guest of honour is the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke.
Ilesa Grammar School is the oldest secondary school in Ijesaland and second oldest in Osun State, and a member of the prestigious AIONIAN elite schools in Yorùbáland.
For nine decades, it has maintained its prime position among the most sought-after grammar schools in Nigeria, in the West African sub-region and in Africa. For 90 years, it has held its ground firmly and proudly among secondary schools in Nigeria that offer world-class standard of education, producing exceptional leaders, world renowned technocrats and legends across all sectors of human endeavours. Wherever its products are, whether in governance, the academia, legal jurisprudence, corporate world, commerce and industry, media, banking and finance, engineering, sports and recreation, they shine like a million stars flying the flag of Omoluabi with pride and dignity.
That is why the world will metaphorically converge on the town, specifically Ilesa Grammar School, for a whole week to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the school’s establishment and the phenomenal impact it has made globally over the years. Announcing the week-long celebration, the Chairman of the Organising Committee for the 90th Anniversary, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro, a former Commissioner of Finance in Osun State, said the activities marking the incredible milestone will start from Monday, February 5, and run till Sunday, February 11, 2024.
“We are set to receive the world,” he enthused.
During the anniversary week, Bolorunduro emphasized, some landmark projects executed by the Old Students Association will be commissioned. There will be anniversary lecture; special sporting activities including soccer and the school’s annual inter-house sports; presentation of awards to deserving alumni who have flown the school’s flag very high across the world; courtesy visits to the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, and the Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran II; community outreach activities including free medicals and charity donation to the School of Handicapped Children, among others.
The National President, Ilesa Grammar School Old Students’ Association (ILEGSOSA), Dr Obisesan Daramola, underscored the significance of the 90th anniversary of the great institution, saying it goes beyond just counting the numbers.
Praising the Old Students Association for their gigantic efforts in making the school to stand proudly among its peers, he recalled the years when the wind of government policy sommersault blew the school with the force of hurricane but was made to stand firm by the resolute resolve of the old students who worked assiduously to ensure that nothing diminishes the glory of Ilesa Grammar School.
“Indeed, we have every cause to praise God and celebrate,” Daramola said, promising eminent Nigerians that will flood Ilesa for the week of celebration an exhilarating experience.
“Our great school, Ilesa Grammar School, is set to receive the world,” Dr. Biodun Oguniyi, Secretary of the Organising Committee quipped. “The anniversary will be a unique experience for all stakeholders, Old Students, our guests, current students, and, indeed, Ijesaland.”
Dr. Wale Bolorunduro, Chairman of the Organising Committee, announced how the activities would run. On Monday, February 5, which is the Founder’s day, there would be a press conference, Anniversary Road Walk, courtesy call on Owa Obòkun of Ijesaland, other traditional rulers and societies in Ijesaland. Activities lined up for Tuesday February 6 include Planting of Anniversary Trees, courtesy calls on Osun State Governor, Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly & Chairman House Committee on Education, Chairman SUBEB, Commissioner for Education, Egbe Atunluse: EXCO and Dignitaries and the Vice Chancellor, University of Ilesa.
Programmes scheduled for Wednesday, February 7, 2024, include Interactive Session with ILEGRAMS 1985 Set. Theme is Social Media in the 21st Century: Impacts on Academic Excellence, Moral Values and Way Forward.
On Thursday February 8, 2024, there will be Students Day, ILEGRAMS 2024 Inter House Sports Grand finale, Novelty Match – Old and Current Students, Community outreach activities, including free medicals and charity donation to the School of Handicapped Children. Friday, February 9, 2024 is the Old Students in Diaspora’s Day (OSID). There will be Lecture, Presentation of Awards, Donations to indigent students (textbooks, notebooks, uniforms), gifts to best students (male and female) from JS1 to SS3, and Jumat Prayers at Ilesa Central Mosque
The grand finale is on Saturday, 10th February 2024. Activities for the day include Projects Commissioning and Exhibitions, foundation laying of the National Secretariat, Anniversary Lecture entitled Stakeholder Involvement: Shaping the Future of Learning; Towards the Future of Work. There will also be a banquet – Roll of Honour and awards (2pm to 4pm). Dignitaries expected include Governor Ademola Adeleke, Chief Wole Olanipekun, Pastor E. A. Adeboye, Dr. Akin Fapohunda, and Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, among others.
The programme will be concluded on Sunday, February11, with the Anniversary Thanksgiving Service at St John’s Cathedral Iloro, Ilesa.
