Eniola Ajayi
Twenty children they say cannot play together for twenty years.
As apt as this maxim goes, the passage of time and human dynamics, culminating in societal evolution have introduced different twists to this proverb.
This is not to shy away from the context of this adage which speaks to physical proximity of relationship among friends, colleagues and acquaintances; but it is interesting to see how barriers of distance and impossible mountains of are giving way to 21st century realities.
Of course, the 1997 Alumni of Oba Akinbiyi High School 1, Mokola Hill, Ibadan will have technological advancement to appreciate as it has further reduced the world from being a global village to a global neighbourhood in the true sense of it.
After dispersing into different nooks and crannies of the world upon graduation 25 years ago; interestingly, they have reconnected and in their scores, will be coming together to celebrate the Silver Jubilee Anniversary of their graduation from their alma mater.
The Anniversary billed to hold from the 17th to the 18th of June 2022; the anniversary kicks-off with a visit to the school on Friday 17th while all roads lead to Option 247, Orelope Street, Ikolaba, Ibadan, Oyo State from 12 noon.
Other activities include reminiscences, Alumni lecture which will be delivered by a renowned educationist and a former teacher in the school; Mrs Alice Arowodasa, as well as Silver Jubilee Award presentations to outstanding teachers for their inestimable impact on the students and the institution.
The Chairman, Planning Committee, Mr Olajide Abiona says those penciled down for honors include Mr Samuel Atilola, Pastor Olabode Bada, Mrs Arowodasa, Mrs Cecilia Ayorinde and Dr Ukamaka Akuche among others.
Oba Akinbiyi in retrospect
Established on the 26th of September, 1980; Oba Akinbiyi High School 1, like many other citadels of learning, was a brainchild of the old Oyo State administration of Chiefs Bola Ige and Sunday Afolabi, both of blessed memories.
The institution which was named after the 36th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Daniel Odetayo Akinbiyi, a prominent Ibadan monarch who carved a niche for himself as the first Olubadan to wear a crown right from the day of his installation.
Unfortunately, the school has suffered from the usual Nigerian syndrome of neglect and lack of maintenance, a situation that has been a source of concern for the alumni and other stakeholders of the school.
An alumnus, Mrs Olufunke Olatunde says this will top the agenda as the old students gather in a couple of days.
Meanwhile, Secretary of the Planning Committee, Mrs Gladys Ujunwa-Samuel, stated that the occasion would be to first appreciate God for His faithfulness over the years and to galvanize discussions and meaningful steps towards restoring the school to its glory days of “Service to God and Mankind.”
