Christ's School

THE DALLIMORE’S TRIAD

By

Mrs Wura Ajibade

THE DALLIMORES – EKITI PEOPLE - CHRIST’S SCHOOL TRIAD

Venerable Archdeacon Henry Dallimore, the founder of Christ’s School, Ado Ekiti was born in Aughton, Lancashire, England on 5th February 1885 to simple Christian parents. He attended Ormskirk Boys’ School in South Lancashire and entered Liverpool University in 1904. In 1910, he was in Wycliffe Hall, University College of Oxford to study Theology. He was ordained as a Deacon in 1911, and was sent to Sierra Leone in 1914 by the C.M.S. as the Principal of CMS (now The Sierra Leone) Grammar School, Freetown (founded March 25,1845). He was recalled to England in 1915. At the cessation of the 1st World War in 1918, he was posted as the Warden of the YMCA in France. He returned to CMS Grammar School, Sierra Leone in 1919 for a couple of years before he was deployed to St. Andrew’s College, Oyo, Nigeria as the Vice Principal to Archdeacon George Burton in 1922. It was while on this tour that he met Miss Dorothy Nash, a female C.M.S. missionary. Henry Dallimore married Dorothy in his wife’s home at Norfolk in 1924. The Nash Family were originally from Vancouver Canada, but settled in East Anglia, England. He retired to England in 1947 and lived at Bexhill-on-Sea till he died on May 8, 1970. Dorothy died in Canada on May 15, 1975.The urns of their ashes were interred behind the school chapel in Christ’s School Ado-Ekiti (CSAE).

The last house where Venerable Dallimore lived in East Essex, England

The Essence of Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti

Archdeacon Dallimore made his generational impact on the Church, society, and education by his rather presumptuous posting out of Oyo to Ekiti in late 1929 as Archdeacon, Superintendent of Ekiti District Churches, and the Supervisor of Schools. It is pertinent to state that the Ekiti District Church Council superintended by Archdeacon Dallimore included all the Churches in the present Akure Diocese (less its Idanre Archdeaconries), and all Anglican Churches in Ekiti! CMS Grammar School, Freetown and St. Andrews taught the classic British curriculum (Latin, Greek, Music, Astronomy, English, Arithmetic etc.,) which did not really please Dallimore. At best, the curriculum helped them to become good employees. He wanted more for the students such that they could become self-employed if no one hired them. His much agitation landed him a posting away from St. Andrews into in a distant virgin land called Ekiti to see what would become of his educational ideals and concepts. He parted ways with the idea of “Grammar School”. He gradually positioned the new school above what was available in other schools through co-education, curriculum, crafts, diversity and ethos.

    Henry and Dorothy arrived Ekiti to pursue a 3-point mission of evangelism, education, and healing. The Archdeacon focused on pragmatic evangelism and quality education. Dorothy stopped her teaching job to support her husband fully. She concentrated on the provision of improved health services through the founding of the “Our Saviour’s Hospital” at the present Ekiti Bishop’s Court, Oke Aremu which was later re-named as “Ile Abiye Hospital” and relocated to Irona, Ado Ekiti. Children that died young were called “abiku”. Abikus were changed to abiyes(living) in the place she created. Ile Abiye was therefore established by a Missionary school teacher. Dorothy also looked after the girls in Henry Dallimore’s Christ’s School which he founded on the same site on 23rd January, 1933 as Ekiti Central School – a middle school which was to provide quality all-round training for boys and girls. The School, and was formally commissioned on 30th June 1933. The school opened with 70 boys and 7 girls.

    With the attendant expansion and growth of the two institutions, the school moved into its permanent site on Agidimo Hill on 22nd June, 1936, and was christened as “CHRIST’S SCHOOL” by the visiting Governor of Nigeria, Sir Bernard Bourdillon on 10th September, 1936. Dallimore chose the name because it would be the final and the head school of the Ekiti area. The school was designed to lead Ekiti on to the place it should occupy in the country, a place to prepare pupils for this leadership role. Being an astute educator, he saw that Ekiti people lacked a place for secondary school education. He stopped the gap by creating a much sought-after school.

    All Anglican schools wanted their students to finish in CSAE. This local Harvard was the only school in Ekiti that took education to Standard 5 & 6 at that point. There had to be a common entrance examination in order to equitably select from the pool of candidates. Churches would coach their pupils. The success became noticeable and candidacy could no longer be restricted to a denomination, the poor or Ekiti. Graduates were found worthy in learning and character. The primary purpose of their education was to become founding staff of schools and churches. These graduates were from different hometowns in Ekiti. The school gradually became a secondary school; though the students were coached to this segment unofficially from inception. CSAE continued to produce people that became Professors which he innately carved out as a niche. CSAE cannot be pushed aside when it comes to her influence on education at all levels in Nigeria and beyond.

    In church building, many of her alumni are working in the Lord’s vineyard regardless of the level of education attained. It is a way of life to become professionals in various fields. Many Principals daily build lives in many schools in the world. Attention is paid to outcomes. She has the highest number of alumni receiving Nigeria National Order of Merit (NNOM) per school in Nigeria. [The Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) is an “Order of Dignity” and distinct from the National Honours. It was instituted to accord proper and due recognition for outstanding intellectual and academic attainments and contributions to the general development of Nigeria.] meritawards.ng

    The second phase of founding secondary schools in Ekiti were funded by communal efforts. Individual or co-operating towns built secondary schools. They proudly asked their educated sons to be the founding Principals. They were products of Christ’s School which they joyfully accepted because there was no partisan politics at this point in Ekiti history. CSAE success at secondary and tertiary levels in providing education could not be disdained. Everyone wanted to identify with her. The Professors could not be missed and this was alluded to in Ebenezer Obey’s song: “Awon omo Ekiti won n ka’we won mura”.

    Politics came and alas the school that made all glad now makes them mad. Perhaps if we took time to educate to each other, we may get glad and would not have to make snide remarks like “Fayemi made Ekiti basically Christ School project”. I do not belong to any political party. I seek to make known what Christ’s School means to the well-being and correct positioning of Ekiti in the scheme of things in Nigeria. I will not be a thoroughbred Omo Oke Agidimo if a worthy alumnus is ill-spoken of within my sphere of influence. This response should be able to put my alma mater in the correct perspective. And it is hoped to help us understand the school better.

    John Kayode Fayemi has a respectable seat among the students that passed through the school. The kind of fierce love in our hearts towards our alma mater is unfathomable in other schools. Fayemi is unashamedly proud of the hands that brought him up. Would it be alright if a child we raised turned around to acknowledge us in public? This he does unreservedly. What could be wrong with this? Christ’s School became more noticeable in his administration because he was the leader. CSAE was there in the workforce before, during and after he left; you just did not notice. This is not to diminish the fact that he raised many people up and it is not limited to CSAE. Let us reason together:

1. In one session CSAE graduates 1,500 students. Let us give 100 as the average number in most schools in Ekiti. CSAE is 15 schools in one. Ekiti people fail to understand that.
2. Christ's School is 2 in 1. A girl was killed in 1978 from bad driving while crossing the road so this school was split along gender line in 1978. Now back as one following government release of the school to Ekiti Anglican Communion in 2019.
3. CSAE is so big that they had to create 6 schools to absorb students taken by this school annually.
4. Which other school in Ekiti provides that level of training we put into raising a student. This affects who gets tipped for positions later in life.
5. CSAE is the oldest secondary school in Ekiti. The oldest mixed school in Nigeria. Other schools were started as boys' only or girls' only. Our school started as mixed from inception; the other school that claimed this status is Baptist Academy, Obanikoro Lagos. They are Boys’ only school today. CSAE is 22 years older than the next secondary school in Ekiti.
6. Numerically the most, the oldest, most educated males and females, most diverse population come from this school.
7. It was the only school with HSC (higher school certificate) in Ekiti for many years. Whatever every other school in Ekiti started was finished off in our school if they stayed for that segment in Ekiti land. Ekiti Parapo College later joined the HSC bracket.
8. CSAE was founded to provide labour force for churches and schools. This is why we have the most Bishops, Principals, Professors, per school in Ekiti. Many Ekiti Principals turned around to send their children to CSAE. Fagbeyiro, Adejuwon, Adeoya, Akomolafe, Aşebiomo, Olajide to name a few. Founding staff of Domegrams and EkPaCo were largely old students of CSAE (Fagbeyiro, Baba Aşe-Ajayi, Asebiomo, Iyiola, Adetunmbi, Onisile etc. were old boys to name a few). What about all those Professors? Name any field in Nigeria.
9. Do those CSAE students graduated in thousands not occupy offices in Ekiti? Should they dry out when Fayemi came into office? Did he hire them all? should he have fired them? Should he have demoted them? These little details are missed by Ekiti people if I understand the Christ's School Project under Fayemi in the way a cynic posited it. It was noticeable because he was a known alumnus.
10. Fayose administration was loaded with CSAE alumni, this was missed because he was not our alumnus. Like a horse and a carriage, you cannot have one without the other. You cannot have Ekiti without CSAE. Ekiti should proudly embrace her as they did before politics. She was founded for all.
11. Western Region/State had a great school inspection system. CSAE was clearly the best. They brought their own children and noised her abroad in unsolicited recommendations
12. Most textbooks for your school work were written in CSAE. The students did not test to pass. Won mo iwe yęn t'inu t'ęyin ni (they understand the subject matter inside out). It is a place every student brought something to table aside from book work. You are trained to lead. Your head for knowledge, heart for God and Hands for skills.
13. There are times they try to fill a seat and the people doing it have their criteria. Done. Ooops this is on old student of CSAE. What will you do now? Start a feud? When D-Gov Adunni Olayinka died. They wanted the next person to be an Ado woman as well. Ewi has a Professor niece. Prof. Adelabu. Great, she is married to Ijero man omo Doherty. Yaaay! One stop, two Obas would be delighted. What could be better!!! Wait o omo Christ's School ni. Do you know any Governor that wants to fan such trouble by trying not to put omo Christ’s School? On the surface people would take it as CSAE marginalizing others. Poor Fayemi. Current Olojudo of Ido is our old boy, sitting Chairman of Ekiti Council of Obas. Governor Oyebanji BAO chose an Oba, oops omo Christ's School ni. Ogun State Governor, omo CSAE ni. Should we start witch-hunting CSAE?
14. I interviewed many old students. Why did they come to CSAE? Most of them decided based on what school owners and Inspectors of Education told them. Some parents influenced others. People like Ooni Adesoji Aderemi and Pa Lawrence Omole were able to compare the children they sent to various schools. Big school owners sent their own children to CSAE. We are always in a class of our own. Parents are happy with their children.
15. Archdeacon Henry Dallimore the Christ’s School founder was the former Vice Principal of St. Andrew's College, Oyo. With that solid contact he was able to get qualified teachers. He steered us away from Grammar School system and put us solidly in the path of the professions. Instead of being upset with CSAE other schools should strive to have students from every town in Ekiti like we do. Harvard tries to train people from every country. Diversity is an unfailing trick. Encourage the State to sponsor students from every town into CSAE. They will take positive influence back to their communities.
16. Alumni of this school band together for their lifetime. We give back to help each other and the school. We put in our weight behind the next generation. Our Alumni currently has 34 students on full sponsorship from JS1 to SS3. These make the differences that you see.
17. Ogun State Governor - Dapo Abiodun; Minister Solid Minerals - Dele Alake; Comptroller General of Immigration - Wuraola Akinrinsola Adepoju (just retired); Lagos State Secretary to the State Government - Bimbo Salu-Hundeyin are currently on high level seats. To name a few. Are these people Fayemi projects? We look forward to producing the Nigeria President in the near future.

You can only love Christ's School Ado-Ekiti. Let us not bite the hands that fed us. Attacking CSAE is like a Northerner attacking Barewa College, Zaria. They do everything to protect her, let us adopt that disposition in Ekiti. Encourage each hometown in Ekiti to send a male and a female to the school each academic session, diversity will help your people. Everybody in a town should not school in the same neighbourhood, growth will be scant and tardy. We extend our hands of fellowship. Come to table, dine with us. We embrace all.

Wura Ajibade

Wuraola Ajayi Ajibade R.Ph.

73/214 1973/77 Set

Babamboni House

ADDENDUM
Some of the Professors Who are/were Products of the School and their Fields

The Vice-Chancellors:
Professor J. Ade Ajayi - University of Lagos
Professor Tolu Odugbemi - University of Lagos
Professor Adeyinka Adeyemi - Federal University of Technology Akure
Professor Kola Sonaike - Joseph Ayodele Babalola University Ikeji-Arakeji
Professor Michael Olufemi Ajisafe - Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti
Professor Mobolaji Aluko – Federal University, Otuoke

The Professors

1. J Ade Ajayi – History
2. Samuel Aluko – Economics
3. Banji Akintoye - African History; Yoruba Nation
4. Adelola Adeloye - Neurosurgery
5. Ajibola Taylor - Agriculture
6. Israel Owolabi - Engineering Emeritus
7. Enoch Longe - First Professor of Computer Science
8. Michael Abiola Omolewa - History Emeritus
9. Tolu Odugbemi - Medical Microbiology and Parasitology NNOM
10. George Fola Esan - Haematology
11. Sanmi Esho - Urology
12. Ayo Arije - Nephrology
13. Jide Osuntokun - International Relations
14. Kayode Osuntokun – Neurology NNOM
15. S. K. Ogundana - Microbiology
16. Bolaji Akinyemi - Political Science
17. Ladiipo Adamolekun – Public Administration NNOM
18. Emilola Susan Ogundana Ajibade - Arts
19. Goke Ademiluyi - Geo-Spatial Science
20. Ebenezer Meshida – Engineering Geology and Geophysics
21. Victor Adenuga Oyenuga - Agricultural Science Emeritus (First Emeritus Professor of the University of Ibadan) (1933/053)
22. Tolu Yoloye – Education 67/086
23. Alex Tunde Olawaiye - Oncological Gynaecology
24. David Dada Oyebola (DDO) Oyewusi – Physiology Emeritus (1960/055)
25. Kola Sonaike - Business Management
26. Ayo Adepetu - Soil Science
27. Yinka Afolayan – Biochemistry
28. Ebun Atolagbe - Public Health and Preventive Care
29. Titilayo Femi - Ola
30. Bisi Ajibade - Geology
31. Joseph Olatunde Oluwasanmi - Plastic Surgery
32. Niyi Osundare – Emeritus Literature NNOM  
33. Akin Oyebode - Law
34. Femi Oyebode – Psychiatry University of Birmingham
35. Modupe Adejugbe Adelabu - Educational Administration
36. Isaac Adebayo
37. Oluwadare Funmilayo - Wildlife Management
38. Adeyinka Adeyemi - Architecture
39. Bolaji Aluko - Chemical Engineering
40. Wuraola Olaofe Sokunbi - Haematology
41. Iyabo Fakorede Mabawonku - Library and Information Science
42. Bola Akintayo Aladesanmi
43. Adesuyi Ajayi - Cardiology
44. Olu Makinde – Entrepreneurship in Vocational Studies
45. Olajiire Makanju Ajayi- Optometry
46. Olufemi Ajisafe - First Professor of Physical Education in Africa
47. Robert Folabi Ola - Public Administration, Political Science
48. Bolaji Ekundayo
49. Olufemi Elegbeleye - Pulmonary Medicine
50. Bode Ajayi – Analytical Chemistry
51. Biodun Adeloye - Animal Science
52. Mojisola Adejugbe Oyarekua- Food Science and Technology
53. Ademola Omojola – Geography
54. Tope Ojo
55. Olaofe Ogundipe - Medicine
56. Olusesi Ajayi-Vincent
57. Bunmi Ajayi – Food and Nutritional Biochemistry
58. Flora Ekpubeni Ehigiator - Fisheries
59. Deji Fasuyi - Animal Biochemistry, Nutrition and Biotechnology
60. Kehinde Oluwadiya- Orthopaedic Surgery
61. Adeola Egbebi - Food and Industrial Microbiology
62. Olugbenga Ogunkua - Pathology
63. Oyewole Adeodu Paediatrics
64. Segun Dipeolu - Veterinary Medicine
65. Titi Esan Bamidele - Biochemistry
66. Bola Akintayo Aladesanmi
67. Patrick Tedela - Plant Science
68. Bode Omojola - Music Ethnomusicology and African Music Mount Holyoke Massachusetts
69. Segun Omotola - Music
70. Ebi Bio Awotua-Efebo – Education
71. Rufus O. Alabi – Plant Pathology (Botany)
72. Israel Ayoola Olatunde - Clinical Pharmacology
73. Adejemilua - Art
74. Festus Damisa – Engineering
75. Tunji Omowumi – Veterinary Medicine
76. Ayodeji Jeje – Chemical and Petroleum Engineering (Fluid Mechanics) Calgary
77. Olusegun Olubuyide – Chemistry
78. Sola Olubuyide - Medicine
79. Segun Adebayo – Aeronautical Engineering
80. Dele Ogunseitan – Population Health and Disease Prevention
81. Julius Omotade – Paediatrics
82. Jacob Adebowale Oluyemi - Agriculture Emeritus
83. Christopher Adesuyi Adejuwon – Chemical Pathology
84. Christianah Bimbo Bankole Elusiyan – Phytochemistry
85. Bolanle Okunlola Otegbayo - Food Science and Technology
86. Foluso Osundare - Agricultural Economics
87. Peter Olusola Aduloju – Obstetrics and Gynaecology
88. Samuel Kolade Adeyoju - Emeritus Forestry First Professor of Forestry in Africa
89. Babalola Abegunde - Law
90. Kayode Arogundade - Business Administration
91. Akibu Oyeku Oyelami - Paediatrics
92. Christopher Olubunmi Adejumo – Fine Art
93. Gabriel Olubunmi Alegbeleye - Library Science
94. Michael Ojo Olofinboba
95. Adegite - Chemistry
96. Goke Melodi - Electrical Engineering
97. Folarin Oguntoyinbo - Microbiology
98. Omotoye - Ophthalmology
99. Francis Oyebade - Phonologist
100. Yemi Idowu
101. Ayo Adetifa
102. Kayode Olabanji - Burns and Plastic Surgery CMD EKSU
103. Felix Olusegun Akinwumi - Post-Harvest Technology
104. Adeoti
105. Afe - Provost, College of Education Ekiadolor Benin
106. Ben Osho Microbiology
107. Kehinde Akinlade
108. Bayode - Geophysics
109. Ayo Alade
110. Ranti Familoni
111. Tolu Adeosun Eni-Olorunda
112. Adelusola
113. Goke Ibironke
114. Rotimi Olowookere
115. Falusi - Emeritus Agricutural Economics
116. Adeleye - Animal Genetics UI
117. Olatunji Babatola - Population Analysis and Tourism Studies
118. Tayo Atere - Agriculture
119. Stephen Oni - Agricultural Economics
120. Benjamin Afolabi Oso - Botany
121. Isaac Abayomi Adebayo -- Animal Virology and Immunology
122. Bayo Alokan Animal Production and Health
123. David Oke - English
124. Johnson Aladekomo - Physics
125. James Kolawole Egunjobi - Agriculture
126. Esan Owolabi - Engineering
127. Cornelius Ademosun - Agricultural Engineering
128. Solomon Adekola - Geology
129. Peter Adekola - Obstetrics and Gynaecology
130. Oluwadare Esan - Orthopaedics
131. Olubunmi Omoyeni Akinwumi - Organic Chemistry
132. Omotade Oluwasanmi Oloyede - Phytomedicine and Toxicology
133. Ibiyinka Adewumi Adesanya - Religious Studies
134. Funke Bolatito Fajana Shittu - Environmental Public Health Microbiology
135. Adeniyi Adenipekun - Radiation and Clinical Oncology
136. Dele Ajele
137. Segun Ayodele - Plant Reproductive Biology and Systematics
138. Peter O Okunrotifa - Curriculum Studies Education
139. Joan Ogundele - Chemistry
140. Alasoadura - Microbiology
141. Olorunfemi Olaofe - Chemistry
142. Remi Olaofe - Mathematics
143. Olaniyan - Biology
144. Lamikanra - Microbiology
145. Adedokun - Civil Engineering
146. Adeola Popoola - Textile Technology
147. Michael Ojo Olofinboba - Botany
148. Richard Ademiluyi - Mathematics
149. Remi Osuntogun - Medicine
150. Akande
151. Craig Yemi Obafemi - Chemistry
152. Aina - Geophysics
153. Toks Durotoye - Physiology
154. Tunde Okunade - Mechanical Engineering
155. Bode Obisesan - Medicine
156. Oladele Ogundipe - Medicine
157. Olufisayo Jejelowo
158. JFA Owoeye - Medicine Unilorin
159. Enoch Olu Longe - Computer Science - First Professor of Computer Science
160. Yinka Awopetu - Metallurgical & Materials Engineering
161. Tokunbo Oyesola - Agriculture
162. Kayode Adesodun - Soil Physics
163. Michael Omirin - Mathematics Education
164. Craig Obafemi - Chemistry
165. Henry Aikhionbare - Paediatrics
166. Tunde Taiwo - Agriculture
167. Abejide Ade-Ibijola - Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
168. Funso Akingbade -Business Administration - Finance

THE ESSENCE OF ALUMNI HOMECOMING AND THE REUNION OF CLASSMATES

By, Seye Adetunmbi

THE HOMECOMING AND REUNION OF 1978 & 1979 HSC SETS HELD AS SCHEDULED

Members of the 1978 and 1979 HSC sets of Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti held the Homecoming of their alumni group (HSC7881), between 22nd and 24th of April in 2022. This was a follow-up to their Reunion of 2018 which was held in Lagos. And that in December 2021, the hybrid alumni group, HSC7881 presented classroom desks, tables and laboratory equipment to the school as part of their ongoing commitment to give back to the school, under the leadership of Otunba Nuru Jinadu, the President of the Group and Princess Moradeke Ajibade, the Vice-President. The 2022 Homecoming was meant to facilitate the maiden Reunion in the premises of their alma mater after 42 years that the two HSC sets spent a session together in the school. The shared treasured memories remain indelible in their minds which underscores deep appreciation of the prized heritage of the great school.

On Friday 22nd of April in 2022, they held variety evening, to relive some of the enduring traditions of the school. The high point of the Reunion was on Saturday 23rd of April in 2022, the Homecoming Gala Evening/Dinner took place at Fabian Hotel, owned by one of the set members. On Sunday 24th of April in 2022, HSC7881 family did their thanksgiving at Emmanuel Cathedral Church, Ado-Ekiti during the 10am service. The accompanying photos say it all about the successful outing.

Day One in Pictures

Day Two

Members of the two HSC sets are over 400, spread all over the world. The current global President of Christ’s School Alumni Association, Kunle Jinadu FCA, FCS is a member of the group; likewise, the General Secretary, Jide Egunjobi and they were at the Homecoming. Other members of HSC7881 family who participated in the 2022 Homecoming and Reunion include: Otunba Nuru Jinadu, HRM Oba Adeniyi Ajakaiye, Dayo Famosaya, Adesola Adewumi, Prof Sesi Ajayi-Vincent, Sola Afonja, Prince Akintunde Adelusi, Ropo Alabi, Alfred Ologuntoye, Bola Alegbeleye, Eniola Ibitoye, Dr Olabisi Akinbamijo, Sola Ajetunmobi, Mrs Folasade Ofi (nee Folayan)Toyin Jinadu, Prof Mrs Bunmi Ajayi (nee Fadare), Mrs Dupe Bello (nee Peters), Dr Bolajoko Malomo, Tokunbo Adegun, Mrs Yetunde Fosudo (nee Aiyegbusi), Femi Ebenezer, Folorunso Osunrayi, Abayomi Ayodele a.k.a. Alaska, Samuel Osekita, Akin Alabi, Biodun Daramola, Tope Ojo, Kunle Makinde, Wole Ogunleye, Dele Ologunleko, Funso Bamidele, Mrs Jola Oyewole (nee Fagbemi) and Seye Adetunmbi.

Day Three

AN OUTLOOK ON HOMECOMING AND REUNION OF OLD STUDENTS

By Seye Adetunmbi (First written in 2011)

Every institution has characteristic features as exhibited in each school’s culture and traditions over the years which usually make the setting of colleges to be different from one another. What makes the conventional practices in one clime to be unique is the extent to which the phenomenon or tradition has positively impacted on the respective constituencies and the constituents. In other words, if an establishment has achieved the desired result from the deployed structured custom, it is a different ball game. This implies and underscores the fact that every system works in one way or the other. This brings into perspective the concept of homecoming which is a lasting tradition associated with high schools and colleges, predominantly in Europe and America.

    Homecoming is a periodic opportunity for interested products of an institution to return to their old school largely at secondary school level, while it is not uncommon at university level as well. In America for example, it is always a week long activities packed, tagged school spirit week. At secondary school level, it is all fun without scheduled meetings; whereas at university level, it is a mix of fun and strategic sessions for participating alumni. Typically, reunions of old classmates and schoolmates are held around the time of such event to bring together as many old students as possible.

    Christ's School, Ado-Ekiti (The School) is one of the oldest, privileged and highly respected schools in Nigeria. Its establishment was pioneered in 1933 by Archdeacon Henry Dallimore who tended the school till 1947 when he left. Venerable Dallimore was then called High Master by the colonial government, the nomenclature for the head of middle schools in Nigeria then. The school was then called Ekiti Middle School until the Governor General of the Federation of Nigeria; Governor Bourdillon changed the name to Christ’s School in 1947 when he was on a working visit to the old Ondo province. This was the year Canon L. D. Mason became the Principal. Over the years till date, the institution remains very dear to those who have passed through the school and allowed the lasting values of the cherished heritage to pass through them. The school means varying spectacular things to a wide range of constituencies, yet one common denominator is the fact that an average old student is ever proud to say I attended Christ's School, Ado-Ekiti. This is why at every opportunity the signature greeting of “up school” becomes handy when old students fraternize irrespective of class or set. As a matter of fact, this camaraderie often draws admiration from people and jealousy in some quarters.

    The school for an example can be classified as my “family school”. My father with the school registration number 36/060, was among the set of students that moved to the permanent site in 1936. My older brother was there in mid 1970s, likewise, my younger sister gained admission in 1978/79 session which was around the same time I did my Higher School Certificate course. God willing, if the alumni in conjunction with Ekiti Anglican Diocese succeed in getting the school back to the standard of contemporary frontline good schools subsequent to handover to the Diocese of Ekiti (Anglican Communion), it would be a thing of joy if one of the children in the family could attend the school and make it three successive generations of Adetunmbis who attended the school. The school runs in many families, mine is not an exception.

    Since 2006, there was a robust email-forum for two HSC sets, 1978 and 1979 which has now been taken over by a WhatsApp group. Likewise, in 2010 a central global alumni platform, christschoolalumni@googlegroups.com was initiated to accommodate every alumnus who attended the school as part of an ongoing strategic networking of alumni and complement the annual Homecoming of old students. Homecoming in Christ’s School evolved as an initiative of the Platinum Club, a programme promoted by Christ’s School Alumni Association of North America (CSAANA).

    The Platinum Club concept was introduced to raise fund for the school. This was to provide an avenue for the high net worth individuals to raise their stake for the school such that whoever’s contribution summed up to N1, 000,000 became a platinum member of the alumni body. This effort helped to some extent. For instance, the abandoned school hall project opposite the school was completed with money raised and named the Alumni Hall. The goal of the annual Homecoming and Reunion is to bring together old students, from within and outside the country, once a year to Ado-Ekiti in order to strengthen fraternal relations and be a platform to raise funds for the implementation of programmes and projects for the renewal and redevelopment of the School. The Homecomings that have been held from 2006 till date include:

· The 1st Homecoming and Reunion held from December 8th to 10th December in 2006 and it was hosted by students that cut across sets.

· 2nd Homecoming and Reunion took place from the 21st to 23rd of December in 2007and it was hosted by the 1965-69/71 set.

· 3rd Homecoming that was hosted by 1966-70/72 set, was held from October 17 to 19 in 2008.

· The 4th Reunion and Homecoming was hosted by Christ’s School Alumni Association North America (CSAANA) in 2011.

· 5th Homecoming and Reunion, the event was hosted by UK Chapter in 2012.

· The 6th Homecoming and Reunion fell within the 80th anniversary of founding Christ’s School and the 2013 event was hosted by the Lagos branch of the alumni association.

· 7th Homecoming and Reunion held as scheduled in 2014.

· 8th Homecoming and Reunion hosted by 71-75 Set held in 2015

· Apart from 2020 during the Covid19 incursion, the reunion at the annual national Homecoming held as scheduled between 2016 and 2022. The sponsors were sets celebrating 40 years after graduating from the school in the successive Homecoming years.

    Homecoming results to the reunion of set mates, seniors and juniors which often make the programme quite an interactive one. It provided avenue for the international meeting of various old students across the world. Sporting events often feature in a typical Homecoming. Soccer which happens to be one of the areas the school excelled in the Principal's Cup competition of the old western region featured in the some of the programmes of the past Homecomings. A typical spirit week includes a kind of pep rally, a day before the soccer match to rev students up! It is often an opportunity for old boys to replicate the traditional evening football set played around Babamboni, Mason, Harding and Dallimore blocks in those days. The essence of the spirit week in most Homecomings is to pump up all ranks of participants to showcase the school's pride and team spirit.

    Homecoming of alumni also provides an avenue for fund raising. Christ's School has its own share of dilapidated school buildings and infrastructures. The last time I was in my block in Babamboni House, it was shocking to see the extent of the poor state of infrastructures. The uninspiring state of some of the classrooms is worrisome though quite a number of the very old structures maintained the vintage looks and was spirit lifting. Through efforts of some old students, few dormitory blocks have been brought up to standard. Homecoming therefore, provides an avenue to take stock and explore “fund raiser” window of opportunities.

    In some instances where Homecoming is marked, a day is set aside as the celebrity day for identified admired citizens for what they contribute to the society such that children could have opportunity to interact with them and ask questions. The 2011 Homecoming of which I was the Chairman of the Planning Committee, was structured to celebrate old students who have done the alumni proud. In this category were old students who got federal and state government appointments on merits and others who have excelled in their careers. Those who made the 2011 Homecoming and Reunion recognition list include Dr Segun Aganga, who was then Federal Minister of Trade & Investment; Professor Bolaji Aluko, onetime Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Otuoke and Dr Kayode Fayemi, the Ekiti State Governor among others.

    The essence of Homecoming and Reunion of alumni conceptually is to rev up harmony among old students, plan for raising fund for the development of the alma mater, network for empowerment among alumni and strategize on how to effectively facilitate restoration of standard in all fronts in the school after the return of the school back to the mission. In essence, the alumni should constitute a team to work with the Anglican Diocese on the restoration programme. Essentially, our Homecoming at Christ’s School is a customized Reunion by replicating a typical Homecoming in the contemporary world and adapt it to suit our culture and the reality of our environment. In all, Homecoming and Reunion should be fun, build vibrant team, facilitate harmony among alumni, be progressive, raise funds and nostalgic in the final analysis.

    Christ's School is a phenomenon as an institution which stood out in the colonial days and was a force to reckon with in the old Western Region. It is no gain saying that such institution that drew children of all ranks of Nigerian working class across the nation has influence far beyond the host community and state. Consequently, its alumni association is bound to conduct its affairs such that it will not only set pace for other schools but constitutes the magnet that will draw all ranks of old students together to do great exploits. Indeed, in the spirit of the school anthem, Christ is our corner stone, on His alone we build. Students and alumni all over the world just have to “walk the talk” and not in “name only” it is the minimum we can give back in returns to the grace of the goodwill of the school which we all enjoy as a going concern.

    The Homecoming of the hybrid group, 1978 to 1980 and 1979 to 1981 HSC sets scheduled for April 21 to 24 is special because they formally marked 42nd and 41st anniversary of the year they graduated from the great school. Also, the current national alumni president of Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti, Kunle Lawal Jinadu is a member of the hybrid HSC group hosting a reunion at the school campus in Ado-Ekiti. Apparently, it is expected to provide yet another opportunity for a strategic reunion for their fellow old students and classmates.

    If a white man could leave his comfort zone to plant Christ’s School at Ado-Ekiti, then once in a year personal self-denial should not be too much for anyone who has been blessed by the institution, to give back to the school. My prayer is that things will look-up for the alumni of Christ’s School, in Jesus name, Amen. Up School!! Long live The School! Long live Christ's School, Ado-Ekiti.

ALUMNI REUNITE 40 YEARS AFTER…TO LIFT ALMA MATER

By Olatunde Odebiyi - The Nation Publication on April 24, 2019

The old students of Christ’s School Ado-Ekiti Higher School Certificate (HSC) 1978-80 and 1979 -81 sets have said they are committed to restoring the glory of their alma mater. Speaking in Ikeja, Lagos during the maiden edition of the alumni’s 40th celebration of the members who met for the first time since their graduation four decades ago, the convener Seye Adetunmbi, said their meeting would help the members to reunite and be of assistance to one another in various human endeavours, adding that it would also enable them to extend support to their alma mater in any area they can be of assistance to it.
He said: “Now that those of us alive have reunited with ourselves, we can put heads together on how we can complement one another’s efforts in our various human endeavours and extend support to our alma mater in any area we can be of assistance to the school. “For instance, the National President of the alumni, Dr U. J. Itsueli has urged us to put on our thinking cap on how to successfully actualise the plans of Ekiti State government to handover the school back to Anglican Mission which is the founding owners of the school. “We intend to help the school by looking at the issues realistically and proffering various workable alternatives towards achieving the desired restoration of the standard that created the heritage that every product of the school flaunts till today.”
He said seeing one another after 40 years is gratifying. “It also provides an avenue for us to be of help to one another when and where necessary and to complement the efforts of the national alumni association for the benefit of Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti. “The association is a platform for old students of the school to come together and participate in other global alumni activities of their alma mater. I first convened an interactive platform in 2005 on the internet using this portal christschoolhsc7881@yahoogroups.com for members to interact. On June 1, 2017, I created a WhatsApp group for members of the two HSC sets to meet and compare notes. “After almost two years that we have been chatting through WhatsApp, members stressed the need for us to see ourselves physically and here we are for the maiden edition of our reunion,” he said.
Chief Administrator, Nigerian Media Merit Award (NMMA), Yemi Akeju, described the reunion as great. “This is a great reunion for those who were together 40 years ago in the school. They all benefited from the virtues of life which the school gave to them. It is a good thing for them to come together to talk about what they can do for the school, “he said. Akeju, an old student of the school, 1968-1972 set, noted that Christ’s School is one of the few outstanding schools in Africa. “We have all benefited from the school; it is our responsibility to go back there and do something for the school for the betterment of the students and to sustain the quality of education we received from the school,” he said.
Another old student, Olusola Afonja, then Chapel Prefect, said life back then was an exciting one. He said the reunion was for the old students to get together with joy and happiness and to give glory to God that they could still come together after years of leaving school. “We aim to get the school back from government. One of the agenda at this meeting was for the different sets to strategise on how they can get the school back from government and restore its glory. Before government took over Christ’s School, it was the best school in Ekiti. The school used to be one of the best in old western states,” he said.
Chief Mrs Bimbo Odegbami, also an old student, described the gathering as interesting, noting that many of them have not seen one another in the past 40 years after they left school. “Many of us saw last as kids but we are all grown now as grand fathers and mothers. Many of you have changed and we can now relate again as friends. Nothing nowadays can be like school days. School days were fun for us because there was nothing to think or worry about except for ourselves,” she said. A contractor and old student of the school, Mrs. Iyabo Garba, said meeting the old faces is a thing of joy. “We thank God that we are alive and we are here together today. Our gathering is to be of benefit to one another and to contribute to the development of the school that made us to be what we are today,” she said. Garba described life back then as pleasant, noting that the school made her to be more serious about life and to become successful.

THE SCHOOL

Prologue to The Compendium on Christ's School, Packaged by Seye Adetunmbi in 2020

It would amount to an understatement that the Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti phenomenon means a lot to all ranks of the people who have passed through the great institution or those who have one link or the other with the school either as a student or as a teacher. Essentially, the Christ’s School brand was entrenched during the period the school was under the management of Church Missionary Society (CMS), now the Anglican Communion. It is common knowledge therefore, that for as long as the school is wholly managed by the state government those sterling qualities that stood the school out over the years would be elusive. This explains the collective desire and concerted determination of the stakeholders of the school towards the return of the School back to Ekiti Diocese, Anglican Communion. To the glory of God, The School was formally handed over to the mission in 2019 while counting on the support of the old students as a going concern. The bond and camaraderie that Christ’s School alumni enjoy among themselves globally constitute the base of their strength, which should be built upon to accomplish all that they have set out to achieve. We have so many values that bind Christ’s School family together and the tie continues to awe people around the products of the distinguished school.

         The stakeholders of the school have challenges, yet with structured persistence to keep the fire of the unique brand burning and sustain the vision of the founding fathers, they are surmountable. As a matter of fact, Archdeacon Henry Dallimore who left his comfort zone to plant the seed in 1933 which has grown to become a giant heritage we now flaunt; has challenged all the stakeholders of Christ’s School dynasty. There is no going back. This is why intervention to rescue the school from any form of dwindling standard is ongoing. Also conscious efforts have gone into addressing disappointments in all quarters at one point or the other such that we can do greater exploits together under one umbrella and in harmony. The main thrust of our collective strategy is to deploy optimally, what we have to drive and derive the desired result. With God on our side and commitment of every well-meaning alumnus, we shall overcome the task before us.

This book is an initiative born out of the need to do a follow-up to the book titled “In Deed and in Truth” which the author packaged in 2013. This edition is published under the title of “THE SCHOOL – A Compendium on Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti”. The book is pictorial and quite detailed, and the package is of a distinct kind in the history of the school. Thus, the compendium is specifically and strategically packaged as part of the unending interesting story of Christ’s School as an institution of repute. It is indeed an ongoing novelty to promote the reunion concept and lasting harmonious relationship among all the ranks of old students of Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti for the good of the school on a lasting note. It is specially put together as a timeless corpus, loaded with information for every alumnus to keep for posterity.

I researched into various published materials of class sets, old students, past teachers and the school officials on Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti, then compiled and rearranged the information as deemed appropriate. This included freshly obtained information from the school principal such as the staff list and students’ list; extracts from the Report of the Committee on Project Christ’s School Renewal, chaired by Baba-Ijo Segun Ogunkua and summary of the handover proposal to Ekiti-State Government in 2016; written comments of old students at various forums, all put together in a compact one-stop-book.

Consequently, the book is made up of 22 chapters in four sections. The first part is the evolution of the school and her consolidation to maturity. It dug into the profile of the founder, the school principals and the teachers of the school to-date. There are some extracts from “The Builder”, a publication on Canon Leslie Donald Mason, the Principal of Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti in 1948 to 1966. The second part highlighted the recalls of a wide range of the old students from the very old generation alumni up to the younger ones. It was based on available materials; some were mainly extracts from the biographies of old students who dedicated a chapter in their book for Christ’s School. In this category were Chief Fola Alade and Chief Samuel Bandele Falegan and Professor Adelola Adeloye.

The third section covers various intervention programmes of the alumni, globally through Reunion and Homecoming programmes. Also with the increasing interest of various sets to put structures in the school premises, a generally acceptable Master Plan becomes necessary. This section touches the proposed Master Plan for the school. This is with the hope that the Anglican Communion with the support of the global formidable alumni body would harnesses the collective effort productively towards consummating a lasting structure for the proper management of the school. The last and the fourth section contains the register of the old students from 1933-1988 which will be updated from time to time in order to cover any gap in this edition. This section is also based on available information from the school authority and sets’ register.

This publication no doubt should serve as a kind of the maiden encyclopedia on Christ’s School and should be reviewed periodically. In between the sections are ancient and modern vintage photographs that will bring back very fond memories of a beloved alma mater. Albeit, this is one timeless book that everyone who passed through Christ’s School should read. The periodic Homecoming and Reunion of old students of Christ’s School should be seen as a call to service in addition to a unique opportunity to reconnect with schoolmates. Therefore, every alumnus is charged to give his/her best shot for the Christ’s School project as a going concern. It is always a thing of joy to be part of the Christ’s School phenomenon; we just have to do everything possible to keep the flag flying.

A distinguished alumnus, Olusegun Aganga wrote in the Foreword and I quote: “....The training and the family values inculcated in us by our parents and those instilled in us by virtue of the school we attended during our character formation years, to a very large extent determine who and what we become in life. I may have been privileged to work for a top four Accountancy Firm, to be a Managing Director at the number one Investment Bank in the world in the United Kingdom for more than 30 years and have served Nigeria first, as Minister of Finance and later as Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, I would always credit my parents and Christ School for laying the solid foundation on which others built on......I am what I am today because I attended Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti and the family values I imbibed in my formative years. I consider it a privilege and a great honour to be a product of Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti."

The publication is quite informative and presented in a reader friendly manner, complemented with memorable photos. I wholeheartedly recommend it to be read by all. It derives its strength, authority and uniqueness from being a compendium of past previous published works on The School and the long journey to the handover of the school from Ekiti State Government to Ekiti Anglican Mission. It is loaded with scintillating facets and integrated nostalgic slices of the various experiences of old students The School. Considering the fact that the book has an index, no doubt it is fated to become a veritable source of reference on the history of The School.

The intention is to come up with a book that will accommodate everyone connected with Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti, an institution with an awesome legacy, such that the compendium would appeal to all ranks of the reading public and members of the Christ’s School family. Kindly pardon any shortcoming by way of error or omission in this edition. Considering the fact that it is a non-static historical book, God willing, subsequent editions will note every observation or additional information received.
The paper back is available on Amazon through this link https://www.amazon.com/dp/9789797281/ To explore the Kindle eBook click on this link https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0861KM16Q