THE SCHOOL: CHRIST'S SCHOOL, ADO-EKITI
By
Seye Adetunmbi
This article was first written to mark the 80th anniversary of The School in 2013 under the caption of "The Christ's School Phenomenon - An
Historical Overview 1933-2013" and published in the special book marking the epoch, In Deed and In Truth. The publication was sponsored by the Lagos Chapter of the alumni association.
By way of background, most of the formal primary education
institutions in Nigeria in the early 20th century; were missionary
schools and the majority of them stopped at Standard IV. Ekiti District in the
old Ondo Province of Nigeria was not an exception. Each Church Mission catered
for the educational needs of the wards of their parishioners. In the early 1930s,
the only four towns where Anglican Communion had Standard V and VI Classes were
Ado-Ekiti, Ijero-Ekiti, Ise-Ekiti and Usi-Ekiti. Thus, Christ’s School,
Ado-Ekiti which was founded by the Venerable Henry Dallimore started as Ekiti
Central School in 1933 and admitted pupils into Standards V and VI from all
over Ekiti including Akure and Igbara-Oke. It was initially a Lower Middle
School under the joint administration with the Emmanuel Primary School,
Ado-Ekiti. The school
premises then situated at the present Bishop’s Court of the Ekiti Anglican
Diocese in Ado-Ekiti. It is important to mention that High Chief J. B. Babatola, Minister of
Education in the old Western Region and the Olora of Ado-Ekiti was among the
1933 set, he, perhaps is the only one standing among their group who witnessed
the 80th anniversary of the school to the glory of God. The school moved
to the permanent site where the school has been situated till today on the
crest of Agidimo Hill on September 10, 1936. The 1936 alumni set members often referred
to themselves as the number one! Among them were Venerable Rufus Akinloye
Ogunlade with the school number 36/003, was the first alumnus
to be the Principal of the School and Chief David O. Adetunmbi (formerly Adewuya) with the school number 36/060, was the national leader of Nigerian
Union of Teachers in 1976-1979.
The Early Missionaries in Ekiti
The Early Missionaries in Ekiti
Babamboni was formerly Ifamuboni of
heathen parents who was captured during inter-tribal war around 1874 and taken
to Ibadan where he lived with Rev Daniel Olubi and got converted to
Christianity while in captivity. He reunited with his people in Iyin in 1894.
His name was changed by Osi people who could not place an Ifamuboni person to
convert heathens to Christians. He visited Ado and presented Holy Bible to Ewi
Ajimudaoro on September 20th 1894. The Ewi encouraged him to settle at
Ado. Babamboni took up the responsibility to evangelize Ekiti towns and
villages those difficult days to eliminate local gods. Rev Thomas Harding was
the Secretary of the CSM Yoruba Mission based in Ibadan. He was sent to Ekiti
in 1910 and went with building materials to Aiyede but was refused land and
came to settle at Ado. Oba Ewi Aladesanmi I welcomed him, he offered him land
and residence. He convened the first Ekiti Parish Church Council (PCC) in 1912
as the Chairman. Harding died on December 18th, 1912
Footing of The Christ's School Brand: The colonial
Governor-General of Nigeria during a visit to the old Ondo Province in 1947 approved
the change of name which must have been recommended by the Venerable Henry
Dallimore of the school to "Christ's School". Apart from the name of
the school, the motto is Christus Victus and the emblem is a simple
shield on which the first two letters of the word "Christ" in Greek
alphabets is inscribed.
The vision of Venerable Dallimore the founder of the school is entrenched in the total impact of the education given which was mainly to make every student who passed through the school to be a useful person to himself and to his community. This is what the country has been trying to achieve through the implementation of the National Policy on Education which was the original vision of the founding fathers of Christ’s School. The right attitude to non-academic education which the White Paper tried to inculcate in the recent past was already operating in the School as far back as 1934 when tailoring, brick-making, plastering, building, carpentry for boys and weaving and knitting for girls were already being taught. By 1945, agriculture and cattle-keeping had been added to subjects of study. It may not be an overstatement therefore to say that the principle of student centred entrepreneurship and life skills learning may not come as a surprise to anybody brought up in the tradition of Christ’s School of old.
Also the founder's vision on academic standard, considering a high preference towards a rounded education made Christ's School to have always been highly admired by outsiders for the high academic standards. By 1936 the School had begun the foundation of its high academic reputation as a result of the School's performance in the Standard VI examination of that year, two students were awarded the central government scholarships to Government College, Ibadan; they were the only two selected in the then Ondo Province. This feat was to be performed every year for many years. Christ's School grew into a full-fledged Secondary School by stages, moving up the Class IV in 1943. Academic excellence reached its peak under Rev Canon L. D. Mason, the Principal 1948 - 1966 when in 1958 twenty eight boys passed with Grade I in the School Certificate Examination, fifteen made Grade II and four came out in Grade III. From about this date till the middle of the' sixties, Christ's School dominated the State Scholarships usually awarded on merit by the Federal Government in respect of the University of Ibadan entrance examination to the preliminary classes. In a particular year Christ's School won eight out of the usual ten awards. Right from the early stages, the high standards of management, discipline, and achievement were a clear mark of the School. Inspection reports bore witness to this statement. In 1937, the Superintendent of Education in charge of Ondo Province wrote in a report "the tone and discipline of the School are very good and altogether, this is one of the pleasantest Schools I have seen”. In 1940 the Senior Education Officer, Owo and Benin Provinces wrote "this is the best School I have yet seen in Nigeria".
If Dallimore founded Christ’s School, Canon Mason did the consolidation and gave the School a name. A true disciplinarian, school master and father to his pupils, Mason motivated both staff and students to great heights ensuring at all times quality without ostentation. The Principal was the only graduate in 1948, but he was backed by a team of keen and devoted staff. It was not uncommon in those days to find teachers and students preparing for the same London Matriculation Examination. By 1956, Christ's School had established the institution as a veritable citadel of learning and a definite goal of university admission became the target of virtually every student. Because of the relatively narrow scope of the curriculum in those early days, most admission was for degree courses in Arts and Science, rather than the professional courses. This explained in part, the presence of so many Christ's School old students as university professors all over the country in the 1960s upwards.
The Lasting Traditions and Enduring Values of The School
People often wonder how the
bond of Christ’s School old students is so strong across the generations till
tomorrow. What is essentially responsible for this is the sustenance of
structures and practices that started with the school right from when it moved
to the present permanent site on September 10 1936 till when political
idiosyncrasy infiltrated education policies which have eroded prized values
that stood the school out over the decades. It is therefore often a common
circumstance whereby ancient and modern alumni could share the same stories and
incidents across sets.
1950
Christ's School Ado-Ekiti is often simply called The School. Predominantly at the peak of the
popularity of the school, especially when old students were in the company of
friends who did not attend the School;
they say "there are two categories of schools in Nigeria; it is Christ's
School and the others". To them all, it is The School, and not one of the schools in the country. Looking back,
the school was established during the depression of the middle 1930s and had to
struggle desperately for survival with few material resources and only the hard
work of all ranks of parties involved kept it alive. This School achieved so
much within a short time from take-off to the extent that each one passing through
the institution, either as a teacher or a pupil having marvel at the wonders
that happened with a sense of gratitude to God "that has seen it fit to
bless in His own peculiar way the work of many hands, by themselves weak and
unavailing" This is the School that prides itself in the beauty of
its setting, its natural architecture. Quoting Canon Mason who consolidated the
work of the founder, he said in 1961; "Our School is more than a Secondary
School, it is Christ's School". Indeed, it is The School!
Perpetually over the years, there is often a common denominator that endears the alma mater to the majority of the products of the school. The following occurrences and settings further underscore the basis of the timeless bond among the alumni till tomorrow.
Perpetually over the years, there is often a common denominator that endears the alma mater to the majority of the products of the school. The following occurrences and settings further underscore the basis of the timeless bond among the alumni till tomorrow.
Rev L. B. P. Lafihan, Chief E. A. Olugboja, Mr Ade Fagboro and Chief R F. Fasoranti
Hymns and the
School Song: You can hardly pass through
Christ’s School of old as a student without an ability to sing at least the
first and the second stanzas of a considerable number of hymns from Songs of
Praise (SOP) or Ancient and Modern.
The adopted school song from
inception had their root in the word Christ. The early students in the Ekiti
Middle School days in the 1930s, the school song they associated with their
sets is “Christ is the King, O friends
rejoice” SOP 242. The early 1940s sets recalled “We are Soldiers of Christ Who is Mighty to Save” as the school song
in their time and "Father of men in whom are one" also was in the reckoning in between
the sets. Those in the middle of 1940s to 1950 allied with “Christ on Thee we Build our School” as
the school anthem for their sets. It was the great builder Rev Canon L. D. Mason the
Principal 1948-1966 who changed the School hymn to “Christ is our
Cornerstone” in SOP 464.In
1978, Akinjide Ogunjobi 78-79/085 HSC& Akosile 78-79/282 HSC
composed an anthem which was common among the later day and new generation of
old students. This is the first stanza:
Christ’s School is the
place amongst mountains.
The only child of Dallimore
Born in the year 1933
Birds, angels and mountains
sing our song
Christ’s School the name so
lovely
Christ’s School the place
so lovely
Christ’s School the School
that comes on top
The universally adopted
school song by the incumbent students and alumni globally is Christ
is our Cornerstone.
Christ is our
Cornerstone,
On Him alone
we build;
With His true
Saints alone
The Courts of
Heaven are filled;
On His great
love
Our hopes we
place
Of present
grace
And Joys
above
Depending on the occasion,
the first stanza, first and the last stanzas or all the four stanzas are taken.
This is often followed by the school prayer and rounded-off with a joyous shout
in unison, Up School!!!!
Chief S. O. Agbebi, Chief Olusola Bayode, Mr Kehinde Ojo & Elder M. A. Fasanmade
Initiation of
New Students: The traditional welcome of
new students is an event strictly for the Quadrangle, a unique building
structure which is as old as when the school moved to the permanent site, built
by the founder, Venerable Henry Dallimore. It was often a hilarious ceremony
when the new students were introduced to a contraption song, called School Anthem
of Siam. Naturally the senior students were the cheer leaders. The intermediate
class students or as considered suitable depending on the preferences of the
reigning seniors, will lead the new students to extol the virtues of Watana,
the King of Siam!
O, Watana
Siam (2ce)
O, Watana
The seniors would prompt
the innocent and unsuspecting new students to sing louder passionately and the
hapless newly admitted ones would respond accordingly. Inconspicuously the
seniors leading the new students would introduce a variation to the song and
before the new students could catch the prank, they have caught the bug of the
new version, raising their voices.
O, What an
ass I am (2ce)
O, What an
ass
For decades, the Watana of
Siam song was one of the best kept initiation secrets of Christ’s School. By
the time the joke has dawned on the new students; they have entertained their
seniors and caused the gathering laughter at their naivety. The tradition
continued till late 1970s and it was not uncommon for succeeding generations of
families and people from the same community passing through the initiation
process over the years. When the new generation influence was almost turning it
to a violent outing and in order to avoid disturbing incidences particularly under
principals who were not old students and the school administration system had
tilted unavoidably towards mass production of day in preference to boarding students,
the practise faded out.
Messrs Ade Olomofe, Wole Akinyede & Abe
Prayer: For an institution whose
foundation is Christ, nobody should expect anything less or be surprised that the
boarding students prayed collectively 10 times daily Monday to Friday by way of
the school tradition. A day typical started with morning devotion in all the dormitories,
prayer before and after breakfast, prayer at the School Chapel before classes
and after evening Classes, prayer before and after lunch and supper in the
dining hall. The 10th prayer is said before going to bed.
The official school prayer
readily comes to mind which remains unchanged till date. “Grant oh Lord; that Christ’s School will be a Christian school; not
in name only, but in deed and in truth; for the sake of Christ whose name we bear,
amen.” This prayer features at every school event and gathering of the
alumni globally in any part of the world whenever they have meetings or a get-together. In fact the title of the book published to mark 80th anniversary of the school came from the prayer.
Principals and
Teachers: One thing
that often binds old students of the school is when they recall their
encounters with various teachers that touched their lives in different ways
with integrated common experiences. Apart from the depth of the education
content, discipline, moral instructions and focus of the school; the Venerable Henry
Dallimore goes down in the history of the school as the person who put up the
early mud and stone buildings and Reverend Canon L. D. Mason whose students gave
the title of builder, did the wonders of all the stone blocks built in his time
which all stand till date. Of course Venerable R. A. Ogunlade takes credit for
the cement block buildings while the tenure of Chief Olusola Bayode is
associated with the red bricks.
The early
teachers and Headmasters of Ekiti Central School include Mr. A. A. Oyenuga who
was headmaster in 1933, Mr. J. O. Alade 1934to 1937, Rev T. V. Aderinola was
the Headmaster in 1938 and Mr. G.A Ogunyomi 1939to1942. As a secondary school
the founder Venerable Henry Dallimore used the title of High Master between January
1943 and May 1947. Chief E.A. Babalola a native of Oye-Ekiti acted as the High
Master from July to December 1947. The Reverend Canon Leslie Donald Mason
assumed duty as the first person to use the Principal title in 1948 and was in
charge until 1966 when he retired from the school. He was succeeded by Chief Rufus
Akinloye Ogunlade as the first indigenous Principal and the first old student
to administer the school from 1967 to 1972. The succeeding Principals were Rev
J.B.P. Lafinhan, January 1973 to 1974; Chief E. A. Olugboja, acting Principal January
1974 to January 1975; Mr. Ade Fasoro,
February to August 1975; Chief R. F. Fasoranti, 1975 – 1978; Mr. S.O. Agbebi, 1978
to 1984 and Chief Olusola Bayode, 1984 to 1994 who was the second alumnus of
the school to be the school principal. After him old students have been in
charge till date. Mr Kehinde Ojo, 1995-2006; Elder M. A. Fasanmade, May 2006-December 2007; Mr. Ade Olomofe, January 2008-January 2010 and Prince Adewole Akinyede
took charge as the Principal in 2010.
The early students and most of the later day students that turned out
well in their various careers often remain in evergreen gratitude to the
founders and the builders of the school. One name that kept recurring among the
teachers of old who happened to have been an old student of the olden days of
the school was the legendary Prof D Funmilayo Ojo a.k.a. Ojo Ugbole. The way Prof Adelola Adeloye put it in his book “My
Secondary School Saga – Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti 1947-1952” sums it all as
quoted thus: “He was our music teacher.
“Ojo Ugbole” as he was famously
known, was a legend in scholarship in his generation. We heard of him before we
came to Christ’s School. We accorded him the status of god, so we watched him
from a distance. The stories of his extraordinary and superlative scholastic
attainments were legendary. Hence to see Ojo Ugbole in person was for many of
us one of the high points of coming to Christ’s School.
Prof D. F Ojo a.k.a. Ojo Ugbole, Senator Paul Anjorin Ogundipe & Pa Owolabi Ajayi
Chief F. A. Daramola & Canon L. D. Mason, and the Hathaway family
Miss Anne DeSimone; Canon Mason & Chief N. Adamolekun flanked by products of Christ's School at Fourah Bay College in the early 1960s
Chapel: Before the permanent superb
school chapel constructed with stones was built in 1947, the early students
used the old school library for worship. Just as Christ is central
to everything about the school, the school chapel is situated at the geometrical
centre of the School compound. The chapel was formally commissioned on February
5, 1947. It was a deliberate date chosen by the Ekiti District Church Council
to honor the founder of the School, Venerable Dallimore who was born same day
in 1885, in England. The chapel has become part of the alumni of the school. The
old chapel has been expanded to accommodate more people. Through the assistance
of some old students, it was renovated to structurally suit a befitting modern
day edifice, Dr Lawrence Obembe must be acknowledged in respect of this initiative
and Chief SB Falegan who supervised the renovation. Alumni are so attached to
the chapel and each time they come home for reunion, all activities are rounded
off at the chapel for thanksgiving.
School Choir in 1968
School Houses: The school houses i.e.
dormitories are practically as old as the school. This is why the ancient and
modern old students across decades of sets have basis of fraternity when they
meet. Every alumnus would always hail his/her house over the other in the
alumni gatherings at the peak of their voices in cheers. The houses with
official colours are Babamboni (Red),
named after the first notable indigenous missionary; Dallimore(Green), the founder of the school;
Mason(Blue), who consolidated the
work of the founder and Harding(Yellow),
the first European CMS missionary in Ekiti. Mason was originally Bishop House;
it was renamed after Canon Mason. The naming of houses after the early
missionaries and founders of the school was mooted in 1939. Records have it
that the initial four Houses were Bishop, Dallimore, Oluwole and Harding. Three
dormitories were built in 1940 and were named Block A, B & C which later
became Harding, Babamboni and Dallimore respectively.
1968
School Crest: Rev Canon Mason would go
down in history as a grandmaster in branding with the ingenuity of producing
the timeless emblem of the school. The logo was formerly introduced to the
school documents between 1949 and 1950. Classmate of Prof Adeloye, Mr Ben
Oluwole was among the students in the library with Canon Mason when the
inspiration of the original concept of the crest which subsequently developed
to what obtains till today emerged. Canon Mason saw in a journal a symbol of a
superimposed P and X and that was it! The drawing symbolised the seal of Jesus
Christ and it struck the chord in the visionary Mason that with some changes
and enhancement he could develop an emblem for Christ’s School. Shield and
crown of the victorious Jesus Christ were added to the discovery and there you
have it, the timeless and arresting logo of the great school, to the glory of
God.
Sports: Apart from academic
performance which made Christ’s School to tower among contemporary secondary
schools of the time, the school was a leading light in sports. Though the
school was involved in virtually all the sports available in the schools then,
prominence and outstanding performances were recorded in basketball, volleyball
and football. Prof Adeloye in his book revealed the first eleven of the soccer
team that excelled in football competitions in 1948; 1 Fasiku later Aje, 2 Agbabiaka the Senior Prefect, 3 Awodigede, 4
Osundina, 5 Isaac Adamolekun, 6 Raji, 7 Justice Jide Olatawura, 8 Samuel Asabia, 9 Olaniyan, 10 Adeagbo and 11. Olujongbe.
It is also a common thing
to see succeeding children or wards of a family taking after their forerunners
in excellent academic and sports performance. The Olaniyan family for instance
produced a number of generations of good soccer players likewise the Faloye
brothers and Olujongbe to mention a few. One of the crowning moments of
excellence in sports in the recent past was when Christ’s School won the
Principal’s Cup in 1975. Mr Bisi Olawole a.k.a. Sinbad recalled the 1st
eleven of the golden team thus; 1. Olugbenga Olowoniyi - Goal Keeper 2. Babatunde Anthonio 3. Joseph
Olaye 4. Atakpa Ukana 5. Tanwa Oyebode 6. Umoh Essien 7. Ogunmoroti
Thomas 8. Olugbenga Olatunde 9. Faleye Akanmu Sina 10. Falodun
Olatunde 11. Arogundade Ayo
Champion of 1975 Western Region Principal's Cup
South West Volley Ball Champions
Hall of Fame: At the peak of the popularity of Christ’s School, academic excellence was
the forte having produced one of the best results among the league of secondary
schools in Nigeria then, until the downturn of events in the recent past. It is
often a thing of joy each time an alumnus of the school has recorded a first in
his or her calling in Nigeria and international arena. Such good news further
enhances the love for the school. Thus, the alumni of Christ’s School,
Ado-Ekiti who made the honours lists of their fellow old students cut across
all human endeavours. Various areas where they have excelled are not limited to
top University dons, highly placed professionals, businessmen, Church
dignitaries, National Merit Award Winners, Governors, Supreme Court Judges,
Federal Ministers, Diplomats, Permanent Secretaries at states and federal
levels, CEO of Banks and multinational Companies etc.
Some of the Many Distinguished Products of the School
High Chief J. E. Babatola, Chief D. O. Adetunmbi, Prof Ade Ajayi & Major-General R. A. Adebayo
Chief Hector Omoba, Prof Sam Aluko, Chief Alfred S. Asebiomo & Chief Mrs Oyin Ade-John nee Odesanmi
Ogoga Samuel Adegoke Adegboye, Right Reverend Olajide, Chief Samuel Asabia & Chief Jonathan M. Akinola
Chief Deji Fasuan, Honorable Justice Olajide Olatawura, Prof Adelola Adeloye & Prof Ajibola Taylor
Dr Christopher Kolade, Prof Kayode Osuntokun, Architect Fola Alade & Chief S. Bandele Falegan
Right Reverend Ogundana, Honorable Justice M. A. Borisade, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi & Prof M. A. Omolewa
Prof Ladipo Adamolekun, Prof Akin Oyebode, Prof Niyi Osundare & Dr U. Justus Itsueli
Babaijo Segun Ogunkua, Prof Mrs Modupe Adelabu, Messrs Moyo Ajekigbe & Bayo Osibo
Dr Erastus Adegbola, Prof Bolaji Aluko & Mr Yemi Akeju
High Chief J. E. Babatola, Chief D. O. Adetunmbi, Prof Ade Ajayi & Major-General R. A. Adebayo
Chief Hector Omoba, Prof Sam Aluko, Chief Alfred S. Asebiomo & Chief Mrs Oyin Ade-John nee Odesanmi
Ogoga Samuel Adegoke Adegboye, Right Reverend Olajide, Chief Samuel Asabia & Chief Jonathan M. Akinola
Chief Deji Fasuan, Honorable Justice Olajide Olatawura, Prof Adelola Adeloye & Prof Ajibola Taylor
Dr Christopher Kolade, Prof Kayode Osuntokun, Architect Fola Alade & Chief S. Bandele Falegan
Right Reverend Ogundana, Honorable Justice M. A. Borisade, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi & Prof M. A. Omolewa
Prof Ladipo Adamolekun, Prof Akin Oyebode, Prof Niyi Osundare & Dr U. Justus Itsueli
Babaijo Segun Ogunkua, Prof Mrs Modupe Adelabu, Messrs Moyo Ajekigbe & Bayo Osibo
Dr Erastus Adegbola, Prof Bolaji Aluko & Mr Yemi Akeju
Messrs Segun Aganga, Gbenga Oyebode and Dr Kayode Fayemi
An Abridged Chronology on the Challenges of The School
The vision of Archdeacon Dallimore was to provide good quality education
with Christian teachings for all God’s children, male and female. This explains
the enrollment from the onset which included female students. He was able to
sustain this with the support of his educationist wife, Mrs Dorothy Dallimore.
The system continued until when Canon Mason took over in 1948, he had a
different disposition to coeducational programme in the absence of adequate
facilities. Anglican Girls Grammar School was later established in the middle
of 1950s which has gone through various phases of restructuring till date.
The administration of the two schools was merged in 1966 when Chief R.
A. Ogunlade succeeded Canon Mason. With change of government in 1979, the boys
and girls sections of the School emerged after thirteen years of a merged
school. The separation arrangement came with its challenges because there was no
adequate consideration given to the feelings of the stakeholders. The benefits
of the merged school are not limited to an improved scope and level of academic
attainment for the boys and girls, maintenance of discipline was easier on both
campuses and search for identity for the new school that has always been part
of the Christ’s School brand. In early 1960s, the first set of HSC students
were admitted into the school and continued till 1979. HSC was reintroduced
just before adoption 6-3-3-4 education system in Nigeria.
The transfer of Venerable R.A. Ogunlade in January 1973 came with
implications; it brought another dimension to the level of commitment to the management
of the school thereafter. His case was first of its kind as a former pupil, who
became a teacher and the first indigenous principal. It was not comparable to
his immediate successors who came in quick succession and were not old students
until the new lease of opportunity in 1983. Politics crept into the school
administration system of the South Western states in Nigeria and the climax of
the downward trend that took its toll on the affairs of the school was between
late 1970s and early 1980s. The end of the political era in December 1983 gave
a kind of new vista for the school which encouraged old students to step-in and
started supporting the school administration. This led to facilitating an
alumnus, Chief Olusola Bayode, tested administrator of repute who passed
through the tutelage of Canon Mason and Venerable Ogunlade to take charge of the
school administration. All the succeeding principals after him, till date are
alumni of the school. The era of having a Principal for the Junior School and
another one for the Senior Class had its own implications until it was reversed
through a policy review by state government.
Donation of Textbooks by Lagos Chapter of the alumni body
Alumni Intervention
With the rebirth of functional interest of the alumni
in the school, Archdeacon R. A. Ogunlade emerged as the National President of
Alumni Association and was succeeded by Justice Olatawura who held the alumni
body globally together until his transition. Subsequently, Alumni Chapters in
United Kingdom and United States of America as well as Alumni branches in
Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Ado-Ekiti, Port Harcourt and Osogbo have been working
hard collectively to give back to their alma mater. After the 1983
intervention, the initial efforts of the pioneer national alumni body brought
financial and material support to the aid of the school. Consequently, within a
period of five years, the Alumni Association gave the school a new library
block/Hall of Fame, two class sets built a block each of three and two
classrooms respectively, apart from various donations in cash and kind coming
from individuals, class sets and branches. Some old students started sending
their children to the school and interestingly they courteously requested
placement in their school houses. It was a welcome development but could not be
sustained because the state of the school had deteriorated below a tolerable
standard for some alumni with children of secondary school age. As part of an
on-going search for the way forward, the Platinum Club concept was introduced
to raise fund for the school. This is to provide an avenue for the high net
worth individuals to raise their stake for the school such that whoever’s
contribution hit N1, 000,000 becomes a Platinum member of the alumni body. This
effort helped to some extent, at least the abandoned School Hall opposite the
school was completed and named the Alumni Hall.
The Annual Reunion and Homecoming was conceived in State College, Pennsylvania, USA on the 14th October, 2005 during a discussion on the state of the School between Babaijo Ogunkua and two past Presidents of Christ’s School Alumni Association North America (CSAANA), Mr. Bisi Olawole (Sinbad) and Mr. Sam Iyapo. Its goal was to bring together old students, from within and outside the country, once a year to Ado-Ekiti, 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 First Reunion held between December 8th and 10th, 2006. It was organized by and funded by a group which cut across sets led by Babaijo Ogunkua and included Architect Kehinde Fadayomi, Mr. Frank Oyenuga, Dr. Erastus Akingbola, Dr. Kola Sonaike, Mr. Toyin Akomolafe, Mr. Tunji Kolawole, Mr. Yemi Akeju, Mr. Sesan Ogunro, and Mr. Wole Adamolekun. The hosting of Reunion and Homecomings thereafter was based on passing the torch strategy, in which sets, chapters, branches and national alumni volunteer to host the event.
The Annual Reunion and Homecoming was conceived in State College, Pennsylvania, USA on the 14th October, 2005 during a discussion on the state of the School between Babaijo Ogunkua and two past Presidents of Christ’s School Alumni Association North America (CSAANA), Mr. Bisi Olawole (Sinbad) and Mr. Sam Iyapo. Its goal was to bring together old students, from within and outside the country, once a year to Ado-Ekiti, 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 First Reunion held between December 8th and 10th, 2006. It was organized by and funded by a group which cut across sets led by Babaijo Ogunkua and included Architect Kehinde Fadayomi, Mr. Frank Oyenuga, Dr. Erastus Akingbola, Dr. Kola Sonaike, Mr. Toyin Akomolafe, Mr. Tunji Kolawole, Mr. Yemi Akeju, Mr. Sesan Ogunro, and Mr. Wole Adamolekun. The hosting of Reunion and Homecomings thereafter was based on passing the torch strategy, in which sets, chapters, branches and national alumni volunteer to host the event.
The Second
Reunion of 21st and 23rd December, 2007, was hosted by
the 1965-69/71 led by Dr. Sonaike, past President CSAANA and Dr. Mosuro. In
view of the fact that there was no formal Secretariat complement available to
the First and Second Reunions, appreciation goes to Mrs Ogunkua and Mrs Mosuro,
who, though are not old students, coordinated and managed the Secretariat
duties of the First and Second Homecoming and Reunions, respectively. The Third Reunion held from October 17th
to 19th, 2008 and was hosted by the 1966-70/72 led by the then
President of the set, Mr. Tunji Kolawole. The Fourth Reunion and Homecoming was
hosted by Christ’s School Alumni Association North America CSAANA, in 2011
under the leadership of the indefatigable Mrs. Wura Ajibade and the UK Chapter
of the Alumni Association led by Mrs. Nike Babatola hosted the 5th
Reunion and Homecoming in 2012. The 6th Reunion and Homecoming fell
on the 80th anniversary celebration which will be hosted by the Lagos branch of
the alumni association under the leadership of Mr. Yemi Akeju.
As a contribution to finding a lasting solution
to the perennial issues facing the school, the Committee led by Babaijo Segun
Ogunkua undertook an extensive study of the school as things were and what is
in stock for the school as a going concern with fundamental restructuring. They
came up with a classical report which can be reviewed from time to time to suit
the final direction the stakeholders of the school desire for the future of the
school as a private institution such that it will complement an enduring
ultimate academic and physical plan for Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti. The good
news today is the fact that the government is willing to let the management of
the school to go back to the original owners. Consummating this offer of a unique
opportunity without any hitch has constituted a major task. The reality is that
if the status of the school does not change from a publicly managed school to a
privately managed institution, no amount of money can be raised to turn the
facilities around that would be sustained to attain the much desired standard without
a structured system that will manage the school for posterity. This is the
challenge and the commission of the well-meaning stakeholders. This is surmountable
with the sincerity of purpose and positive persistence of all parties concerned.
The real heroes of the school after the founding fathers are those who will do
everything possible to see this honourable mission accomplished, unequivocally.
May God help everyone He will use to see this through, in whose name the school
bears. Amen.
Friday
Saturday
Banquet
Sunday - Thanksgiving
VINTAGE PHOTOS - Ancient & Modern
PUBLIC PRESENTATION OF IN DEED AND IN TRUTH
The Lagos Branch of the Alumni Association sponsored the publication of a special book titled: In Deed and In Truth as part of the celebration of the 80th anniversary of establishing Christ's School, Ado-Ekiti. The book was packaged by Seye Adetunmbi, published by Mindscope Africa and was formally presented to the public on 20/10/13 in Lagos.
HOMECOMING AND REUNION
2011 Homecoming Hosted by CSAANA
Friday
Saturday
Banquet
Sunday - Thanksgiving
REUNION OF CSAANA IN ATLANTA GEORGIA IN 2013
Christ's School Alumni Association, North America Chapter held a reunion in Atlanta Georgia in 2013
Reception
ALUMNI PUBLIC LECTURE
On the 17th of May 2015, Lagos branch of the alumni Association held a maiden distinguished alumni lecture in honour of Prof Niyi Osundare at Institute of International Affairs, Lagos
CAROL SERVICE
The Lagos Chapter of the Alumni Association hosted a carol service held at Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral Church, GRA, Ikeja Lagos on 22nd December 2013.
INAUGURATION OF DR U. J. ITSUELI AS THE PRESIDENT OF CHRIST'S SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
In 2015, Dr Uduimo Justus Itsueli was elected the President of Christ's school Alumni Association and on March 5, 2016, he formally sworn into office.
1946 - Chief Asabia (sitting at the center), Chief J. M. Akinola (standing first right)
Chief R. A. Ogunlade, Elder Adelodun Aina Canon Leslie Donald Mason
Chief R. A. Ogunlade, Elder Adelodun Aina Canon Leslie Donald Mason
