The Grammar School: Ifakigrams

IFAKI GRAMMAR SCHOOL HERITAGE: AN OVERVIEW OF 1957-2022

By, Seye Adetunmbi, 1973-78 Set, Jones (Blue) House 31/8/21

Up till the early 1950s, there was only one secondary school in the old Ekiti Province, Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti and it was established by the missionaries. Efforts of some early educated Ekiti indigenes in the Diaspora led to the establishment of Ekiti Parapo College, Ido-Ekiti in 1954. This development spurred other communities to start considering having a secondary school in their domain. The regional government of the day, under the leadership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo helped the situation by offering to take-over the responsibility of schools from the communities that were able to provide basic infrastructure up to a specific level. Ifaki community was encouraged by this favourable government policy among other reasons to establish their own secondary school.

    In 1955, the idea of having a secondary school was muted by the community leaders, the enlightened sons and daughters of Ifaki-Ekiti. The first formal meeting on the plan of the community to establish Ifaki Grammar School (IGS) was held on December 28th 1955. At the first executive meeting of the committee for the establishment of IGS, Chief D. O. Adetunmbi was appointed the treasurer for the Grammar School fund on April 21st 1956. IGS was approved by the government in Ibadan on August 24th 1956. The first bush clearing on the IGS permanent site, by the town people and students was done on March 19th 1957. The Grammar School, Ifaki-Ekiti started with 28 boys on April 21st 1957. The two pioneer teachers were Chief J. O Adeoya (Principal) and Chief D. O. A. Adetunmbi (Senior Tutor). They worked and served meritoriously for over 15 and 18 years respectively.

Sitting L-R: x, Vincent Ojo IV, Jacob Adegboyo, Gabriel Oguntuase, the vacation Jobber from UI, Joseph Ogunleye, Isaac Ariyo, & Olu Omotayo.

Standing 1st Row L-R: Borode Rufus, Adedayo Ojo II, Diya Ogungbamigbe, Adeyemi Falore, Joseph Ajayi I, Ademola Adesina, Femi Ayodele, Michael Ojo III, Dele Omole, Gbadamosi Dada I, Bisi Adebunmi, Ebenezer Babatope, Biodun Agbelese, Dada Ogundipe, Oladele Ajala, Danson Asubiojo. Standing 2nd Row L-R: Remigius Fagboyo, Alade Adeosun, Jonathan Odeyale, Femi Fadiya, Andrew Adewumi, Chief D.O. Adetunmbi (author), Adebayo Ojo I, Bisi Aladegbami, Adegboyega Omodele and Joseph Omodayo

    The Ifaki Progressive Union championed the communal effort on the grammar school project, which eventually led to the establishment of the community secondary school in January 1957. The school started initially within the town in Ilogbe quarter and later moved to its permanent site on Ado-Ekiti road. While academic work was in progress in the temporary site, efforts were made to clear the permanent site. On the 10th of March 1957, the community went for the first time to clear the school site. The following day the students went with Chief D.O. Adetunmbi to uproot trees and clear the site while the town people went to the site on the 19th of March 1957.

    The school formally opened at the new site with Messrs Adeoya, Adetunmbi and Oni on the 23rd of January 1958. To ensure and facilitate regular morning devotion in the school, Chief Adetunmbi moved his 1916 model pedal organ, on the 17th of February 1958 to the school ground for use during assembly devotions in the school, temporarily. The school was officially opened by Mr. J. O. Oye, the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Education in the old Western Region, on the 1st of March 1958 at 11:00 a.m. Chief J. O. Ojo, the then Principal of Wesley College, Ibadan was honoured with Eletolua chieftaincy title on this memorable day by His Royal Majesty, Oba Olojido Olayisade in recognition of all his efforts on the IGS project. A general thanksgiving service for the school was held on the 2nd of March 1958 and a total of four pounds, fifteen shillings and seven and half pence was collected as offerings during the service.

    Chief J. O. Adeoya was the first Principal of Ifaki Grammar School. He was a product of Wesley College, Ibadan in 1944, holder of Bachelor of Arts degree from the University College, Ibadan in 1952 and attended University of London for his post graduate course in Education. He was in charge of the school for over fifteen years, January 1957 to December 1972. The Methodist Mission contributed tremendously to the running of IGS in its early years. The first set of students graduated in December 1962 and 16 out of 17 candidates who sat for the school certificate examination passed.

Sitting, Chief J. O. Adeoya (4th from right) and Chief Adetunmbi (4th from left) with the first set of students in 1957

    On the 5th of June 1958, a re-conditioned organ was bought for the school for 76 pounds, 7 shillings and 10 pence. A total sum of 83 pounds was spent, cost and freight inclusive. Mr. Osunkunle arrived from the University College, Ibadan on the 11th of June 1959 and assumed duty as the second graduate teacher in the school. The early teachers worked conscientiously for the school. The founding principal was an all-rounder, He taught Latin, English and Mathematics and was on duty every day throughout the week. Also, while Chief Adetunmbi was an active class teacher, he was doing other administrative jobs. At a point in time he was the housemaster, games master, bursar and the admission officer. His students also recalled that Baba as Chief Adetunmbi was popularly called taught them all subjects including those without class teachers. He was quoted at an instance “We are all reading together, try and follow; I myself I am reading for the first time”.

Members of staff of IGS in the late 1960s; sitting L-R: were Mr &Mrs Zachariah, Chief Odu, Mr Stephe, Chief Adeoya (Principal), Baba, Mr & Mrs Dudley Pickson, Mrs Catherine Agbelese, Chief G.O. Dada. Standing from left were Dr Segun Dada, Chief J.A. Fadare, Mr Dayo Ojo, Mr Abiodun Agbelese, Mr Bankole & the Bursar

    The Board of Governors of Ifaki Grammar School appointed Chief D.O. Adetunmbi as the Senior Tutor on July 16th 1960, in recognition of his contributions to the progress of the school. Preparation for the final year examination of the first set of Ifaki Grammar School was in progress when the formal approval letter from the West African Examination Council (WAEC) was received on the 1st of April 1962. Three days after this cheering news, the roof of the school main block was blown off by tornado. A thanksgiving service was held on the 8th of April 1960 for the good news from WAEC and for the fact that nobody got hurt as a result of the tornado incident. On October 10th 1960, Mr & Mrs Siddigi and Mr. Lovine, the new expatriate teachers for the school were met at Ibadan by Chief Adetunmbi. Mr & Mrs Pickson arrived on the 26th of April 1962 to take up appointment with the school.

Mr P. O. Adewole from Imade College Owo succeeded Chief Adeoya in 1973, one year after, Chief R. A. Fayose, a native of Iyin-Ekiti served as the School principal in 1975 and was succeeded by Mr J. A. Alabi who came from Ekiti Parapo College, Ido-Ekiti and was in charge in 1976 to 1977. Chief O. O. Adebiyi was the principal in 1977 to 1980, Chief O. Faleye in 1980 to 1983, Chief E. O. Babalola in 1983 to 1986, Mr C.O. Agbele in 1986 to 1995, Pastor O.O. Adelugba in 1995 to 1998, Mr J.O. Olabode in 2010 to 2011, Mr C. A. Abe in 2011 to 2012, Mr R. T. Oso in 2012 to 2017, Mr M. K. Jegede 2017 to 2018 and Mr O. J. Omodara assumed duty as the school principal in 2018 till date.

The standard of the school started dropping when the school principals were not staying long (due to transfer/posting within a year or two) to sustain the lasting school traditions and culture of excellence entrenched by the founding fathers and dedicated teachers over the years. The dilapidated state of infrastructures that couldn’t be fixed which was peculiar to most of the government schools in Nigeria did not help matters. The boys only school became a mixed school in September 1980 and in September 2018, it came back to Boys school only. The greatest setback the school suffered came when the campus was taken-over in 2008 by a newly established university in Ifaki and later annexed by Ekiti State University. This resulted to IGS students squatting at Methodist Girls High School, Ifaki-Ekiti from February 2009 to 2018.

Members of 1962-68 Set of IGS with Chief D.O. Adetunmbi in front of Geography Lab. Some members of this set include Dr Victor Olayisade, Prof Kunle Adelusi, Messrs Doyin Dada, Ajibade Fawole etc

    Naturally, majority of the old students never liked the idea of the school premises that was taken-over. As a matter of fact, at a stage, some of us called for cohabitation of the university college and IGS so that our students would have access to the sports’ fields and the alumni will still have some measure of attachment to their alma mater to facilitate more financial support for the progress of the school. Due to lack of consensus caused by the non-inclination of those behind the takeover of the school premises, the best decision could not be taken for the school for the benefit of the current students. However, through the intervention of the alumni body, conscious effort was made to relocate the students to the provided new site within the expansive land acquired for the defunct university, some hundred meters away from the IGS original premises. The financial support of the alumni association and few Ifaki indigenes is commendable, especially High Chief Eyemuju Bolanle Owolabi who donated a classroom block. All the concerted efforts and collective determination made it possible to make some building structures available for the use of the students in addition to the basic building the state government provided. The students resumed schools in the new premises in September 2018. A lot is still required to bring the school up to the required standard.

    Apparently, hope is not lost on the restoration of the IGS heritage because some members of the old students are not giving up because of their passion for their alma mater this is why call for restoration keeps recurring in the forum of the global alumni body and at some sets’ levels.

    In spite of the challenges, the school has produced many distinguished and successful men of various professional callings. To the glory of God, among the IGS alumni community are professors, royal fathers, federal ministers, a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, judges, top military officers, many professional bankers, numerous high ranking technocrats etc. It is our hope that things will look up for the school in earnest to measure up again to the standard of the cherished IGS when it was at its peak that parents sent their children from Lagos, Ibadan and other parts of Nigeria to come for their secondary school education in Ifaki-Ekiti. Up Ifaki Grams, up IGS, up School!!!

IFAKI GRAMS CULTURE, TRADITIONS AND INTEGRATED REMINISCES

By, Seye Adetunmbi, 1973-78 Set

Ifaki Grammar School (IGS) means a lot to people in different ways depending on the relationship of each person with the school. The Ifaki community people that founded the school do have their stories to tell. The students from the neighbouring towns and villages who didn’t have secondary schools in their community to attend considered it a privilege to attend IGS. Those non-academic staff and teachers and their children of course often have their sentimental attachment to the school for various reasons. In general, most old students have sentimental attachments to their alma mater, IGS alumni are no exceptions. 

Personally, my fondness of Ifaki Grammar School as an institution and as a unique school premises are in many parts. First and foremost, my father was one of the founding fathers of the school, who spent 18 years of his career as a teacher and a remarkable school administrator developing the school. He was called upon by Ifaki community, from Ekiti Parapo College where he was planning to further his education to come and co-start IGS, it was a sacrifice he made. Secondly, I was born in 1962 when my parents were living in the school premises and had my toddling years with Dayo Pickson whose parents were the next door neighbor white British expatriates. Mr & Mrs Dudley Pickson named their first child after Mr Adedayo Ojo, the first Senior Prefect of Ifaki Grams. Thirdly, I was a student of IGS from September 1973 to June 1978 from Form I1 to Form V. Fourthly, I knew most of the senior students that ordinarily I didn’t meet in school by virtue of my unhindered access to the school premises and witnessing of various school events and ceremonies from late 1960s to early 1970s. Fifthly, Every Sunday, we worshipped together with some of the students at St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Ifaki and Lastly, I saw students’ procession to annual carol service at Methodist Church, Ilogbe. I particularly witnessed the loud shout of Waaahhhh when Chief Adeoya drove pass the procession in his Black Opel and Baba Jack when my father passed through them in his Peugeot 403 car with the plate number WL6703. I was also called omo Baba by the students when they saw me.

The first classroom block of IGS

The students and teachers in 1970

    Contemporarily, what constituted the heritage of Ifaki Grams that endeared the school to all ranks of stakeholders are entrenched in how the school evolved, the structure of the school compound with an effective boarding system built on Christian foundation, good curricula delivered by dedicated teachers, the H-shape layout of the school premises with an expansive and well maintained fields for wide range of sports, the school dormitories – Alarada (Red) House, IPU (Yellow) House, Jones (Blue) House and School (Green) House, inter-House and inter-schools sports, dining hall experience, socials - welcome party for new students, among other reasons. A typical day started with devotion and prayers in the hostel by singing from Ancient and Modern, this will be continued at the Assembly Hall when the Day-students would participate. We had break at 11:00am during classes when interested students had the chance of eating rice and dodo from food vendor from town, Mama pupa, Mrs Omotayo was the favorite of most students in my time in the school. Siesta of one hour followed suit after launch, evening sports and prep after dinner. The day ended with devotional hymns and prayer just before light-out at 10 pm. The lasting school culture and tradition helped most students to be able to sing the first and the last stanzas of some hymns from the Ancient and Modern or Songs of Praise hymn books. In order for day students to get a feel of the full school culture and it was compulsory that Year 4 and 5 students should be in the boarding house. This will enable them to study more within the school premises for the final year examinations.

The school staff and the final year students in 1970

Fond memories of dedicated school principals and resourceful school teachers also endeared students to Ifaki Grammar School. My principal in Form 1 was Mr P. O. Adewole who came from Imade College. He was a man of distinct personality who spoke Queen’s English and his first born Adekanmi Adewole was my classmate, we were the youngest in the class, we sat next to each other we were best friends and the relationship remains till date.

   

I have very fond memories of Chief R.A. Fayose, a native of Iyin-Ekiti, in his immaculate white conductor, his signature official dress to school. He made out time to take us some literature classes in Form III. Likewise, Chief J. O. Alabi who was noted for speeding with his Peugeot 403 car, he got the nickname of opaque from students because he made himself as an example of an opaque body when he was teaching the students Physics. We were also blessed with some outstandingly resourceful teachers, some of them took us more than one subject in the junior classes e.g. my father, Chief D.O. Adetunmbi took us Geography, Bible Knowledge and Yoruba. The Map Reading Baba thought us in Form 1 was so rich to the extent that I found it useful in HSC and in my undergraduate days. Chief Akinyele was a brilliant geography teacher, likewise Reverend Ala who was a chemistry teacher and our music instructor. Chief J.B. Adetola, the vice-principal was in a class of his own as a veteran geography teacher. Other unforgettable teachers were Chief Kayode Ige who taught history, Chief Adeolu taught history, Chief Falana taught French, Mr Adegboyo taught Literature, Chief Ajibola taught Agriculture, Mr Orimoloye taught French with his HSC.

IGS had a good outing in sports, especially in soccer, hockey, athletics and table-tennis. Chief G.O. Dada was the evergreen games master for the school for many years. Inter-house sports were always actions packed and would remain memorable in the history of the school. I was a member of the school football team and was the table-tennis captain which took me to Akure when I represented Ekiti West in the old Ondo-State sports competition. Our hockey team played at state level in the late 1970s. The rivalry of Ekiti Parapo College (EKPACO), Ido-Ekiti and Ifaki Grams in football was legendary. Christ’s School Ado-Ekiti, EKPACO and Victory College had HSC students which put the schools at an advantage to attract sportsmen from other schools. This often make football matches between IGS and these school often very tasking and tension packed because our team was always making a remarkable outing. In academics, the school had produced so many brilliant scholars. We heard about those we didn’t meet in school and we met some as seniors, classmates and juniors.

Part of Alarada House on the left and staff quarters on the right

A section of Jones House

Dinning Hall and the wall of Jones House on the right

Principal's Lodge

School House on the left and Housemaster's apartment on the right

IPU

Chemistry, Physics and Biology laboratories from left to right, the next building was the sports' room

Lawn Tennis Court

Classes 2 and 3 Block

Chemistry and Geography Lab block

Physics and Biology

Consequently, I like to conclude this essay with the story of the prodigious Samuel Adekunle Ajaja, a product of IGS. He was a rare breed academically in the history of Ifaki community and Ifaki Grams. Adekunle Ajaja was born in Ifaki-Ekiti around 1948 by extremely humble and indigent parents. After attending Methodist Primary School, Ifaki under a free education programme, he could not even process admission into secondary school because his very poor parents could not afford to buy an admission form. In 1962 through the grace of God and some philanthropic support, he joined the 6^th set of Ifaki Grammar School. He got double promotion to the 5^th set of IGS in Class II. While the 4^th set was the last to spend 6 years in the secondary school, the 5^th set was the first to spend 5 years. Ajaja came first in their first term examination though he did not make 1^st position in the second and third terms in Class II, but led their set thereafter in class III to the final class.

Six years was then the standard number of years scheduled for secondary school education, but Ajaja completed his in four years and passed out with distinction in 1965. In essence, he came in with the 6^th set and graduated with the 4th set. His set was noted to be extremely brilliant in the history of Ifaki Grammar School. His other mates include Rev Kayode Omotayo, Pastor Segun Fayemi, Prof Olu Akute and Prof Eric Fayemi. He attended Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti briefly in 1966 for HSC. He gained admission into University of Ibadan and graduated in 1970 with B. Sc (Hons) Second Class Upper in Physics and it was noted that his aggregates narrowly missed 1^st Class honours. He had wanted to study Nuclear Physics at postgraduate level, but for one reason or the other, it was not possible.

Nevertheless, as a result of his exemplary performance, he gained admission straight for his PhD programme in Cambridge University to Study Computer Science on scholarship. Unfortunately, poor Ajaja could not complete this phase of his academic pursuit because he was seriously indisposed and had to come back home from United Kingdom. Regrettably, he did not survive his ordeal and died in the early 1970s at UCH, Ibadan and was buried in Ibadan. Ifaki Community, his schoolmates, and Ifaki elites at home and abroad indeed mourned him when he stopped the race abruptly which left his poor aged mother in sorrow. To say that I was pained by his transition would amount to an understatement because I was very fond of him in my innocent years as a little boy in the late 1960s/early 1970s whenever I saw him because he liked me and played with me. Life is cruel when brilliant person like Kunle Ajaja is wasted at a prime age. Adekunle Ajaja was indeed a very brilliant student, uncommon genius in his lifetime and a great academic of all times with unparalleled credentials in his domain. The good thing is that there are many old students alive today who were also brilliant in school and have done well for themselves and the larger society in their chosen career to the glory of God. Up School Ifaki Grams, Up school IGS!!!

IFAKI GRAMMAR SCHOOL (IGS) ALUMNI ACTIVITIES

IGS Founded in 1957

Chief D.O. Adetunmbi sitting 4th from left and Chief J. O. Adeoya 5th from left, the 1st Principal flanked by the first set of IGS in 1957

National Alumni Activities

Set's Reunion Photos

Reunion with Past Teachers

Vintage High School Days' Photos

The first set of Ifaki Grammar School in 1957. Sitting L-R: Vincent Ojo IV, Jacob Adegboyo, Gabriel Oguntuase, Teacher on a vacation Job from University of Ibadan, Joseph Ogunleye, Isaac Ariyo and Olu Omotayo. Standing 1st Row L-R: Rufus Borode, Adedayo Ojo II, Diya Ogungbamgbe, Adeyemi Falore, Joseph Ajayi I, Ademola Adesina, Femi Ayodele, Michael Ojo III, Dele Omole, Gbadamosi Dada I, Bisi Adebunmi, Ebenezer Babatope, Biodun Agbelese, Dada Ogundipe, Oladele Ajala and Danson Asubiojo. Standing 2nd Row L-R: Remigius Fagboyo, Alade Adeosun, Jonathan Odeyale, Femi Fadiya, Andrew Adewumi, Chief  D.O. Adetunmbi (Teacher), Adebayo Ojo I, Bisi Aladegbami, Adegboyega Omodele and Joseph Omodayo.