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By Oluseye Ojo
As the chopper hovered over the expansive grounds of Adesoye College in Offa, Kwara State, a sense of nostalgia and pride swelled within Olabode Makanjuola, the Chief Executive Officer of Caverton Offshore Support Group. Thirty years after leaving Adesoye College, Nigeria’s first private secondary school, he had returned to his alma mater to deliver the valedictory speech for the class of 2024 some days ago.
Makanjuola is a member of the school’s third graduating class.
“As a former student of Adesoye College, having been part of the third set admitted in 1989 and graduating in 1994, I stand before you today not only as a witness to your journey but also as a bearer of a crucial message,” Makanjuola told the eager graduates.
“Nigeria, our beloved nation, is a tapestry of challenges, dreams, and untapped potential. It is within this very complexity that we, as Adesoye College alumni, must find our calling.
“In our lives, we often come across the phrase ‘I tried.’ However, let me tell you, as someone who has experienced both success and failure, that ‘I tried’ is never enough. It has become synonymous with giving up, with accepting mediocrity. We must unlearn this notion and become result-oriented individuals, where the end goal is the only goal.
“The education we received at Adesoye College has equipped us with the skills, knowledge, and character to make a difference. We were taught to be resilient, to embrace challenges, and to never be complacent. “Therefore, it is our collective responsibility to use these tools to solve the challenges that confront our communities, our nation,” he stated.
Founded in 1987 by the late Chief Emmanuel Olatunji Adesoye, the school’s vision was to nurture visionary leaders with a well-rounded education, emphasising not just academic excellence but also strong moral character and values. Over the past 37 years, Adesoye has more than fulfilled this mission, producing a veritable who’s who of Nigeria’s corporate, political, and social elite.
“Today, products of the school are high flyers occupying various positions in the corporate world, in governance, and many others,” said Mr. Lawal Raheem Bola, acting head of the school. He was Makanjuola’s agricultural science teacher.
“We are glad to have him here. We have been calling on people from outside to come and talk. We now looked around and said ‘look, we have our own people, proudly Adesoye. We have them all over the place in positions of authority. So, let’s get them to the school. Let them come and talk and inspire these younger ones by coming to speak. It would be a kind of inspiration.
“Obviously, seeing him coming out of his chopper is already an inspiration to ignite the ‘I can do spirit, I can conquer the world.’
“I am an agriculturalist. I was ‘Bode’s teacher. I taught him agricultural science. Bode is cool-headed, humble, committed, very gentle, easy-going and almost a Saint. He was even a prefect in Olabande, Red House.
“Bode was outstanding and for him to be selected and elected to be in the position of a prefect in Adesoye those days, because the population used to be very large. So, all of them were equally good. But he was very good. When you look at his character; he was diligent, studious and his disposition while he was here, I know he would go places. Honestly, he is one of the torch bearers of the institution, which has produced outstanding students, who have made giant strides in their endeavours. Makanjuola, who left the school three decades ago, now sits atop one of Nigeria’s most prominent aviation and marine logistics companies, Caverton Offshore Support Group, which he co-founded with his siblings in 2004. “The education we received at Adesoye College has equipped us with the skills, knowledge, and character to make a difference,” Makanjuola told the graduating class.
“We were taught to be resilient, to embrace challenges, and to never be complacent. Therefore, it is our collective responsibility to use these tools to solve the challenges that confront our communities, our nation.” The late Chief Emmanuel Adesoye’s vision for his eponymous school was to create a centre of excellence that would cultivate the next generation of Nigerian leaders. From the moment the school first opened its doors in 1987, it has been a trailblazer in private secondary education in the country.
Makanjuola himself is a shining example of Adesoye’s impact. The CEO of Caverton Offshore Support Group, a leading player in Nigeria’s aviation and marine logistics sectors, credits his alma mater for instilling in him the values and skills that have propelled him to the top of his field.
“Adesoye taught us to be independent, resilient and enterprising,” Makanjuola said. Time in boarding school was your formative years and some of my closest and genuine friends today are from Adesoye.” In the valedictory address, Makanjuola emphasised the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation in shaping Nigeria’s future. He urged the graduating class to see challenges as opportunities and to strive to create impactful businesses that can transform the country.
“Entrepreneurship lies at the heart of progress,” Makanjuola said. “As we navigate our journey beyond these walls, I encourage each and every one of you to see challenges as opportunities. Create innovative solutions, start impactful businesses, and change the landscape of Nigeria. The challenges that our nation faces should not intimidate us; instead, we should see them as stepping stones to success,” Makanjuola told the graduates.
“But let us not forget the importance of collective responsibility. Bringing about meaningful change requires collaboration, empathy, and compassion for our fellow Nigerians.” As Makanjuola stood before the Adesoye community, his sense of pride and gratitude was palpable. He spoke glowingly of his time at the school, recalling his first day as a 12-year-old, filled with a mix of excitement and trepidation at the prospect of embarking on a new chapter far from home.
Together with his friend and fellow Adesoye alumnus, Fred Allison, Makanjuola has pledged to spearhead efforts to bring the school’s various alumni groups together and establish a stronger alumni network.
