The Remo Secondary School Old Students Association, RSSOSA, under the leadership of its National President, Sir Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, continued activities marking the school’s founders’ day, thanksgiving service and awards ceremony for students at the Remo Secondary School hall on Wednesday, February 4. The programme was the fourth day of the eight-day celebration lined up to commemorate 80 Years of the institution’s existence.
Activities for the day opened with the rendition of the national anthem and the school anthem, followed by prayers led by the master of ceremonies. Thanksgiving songs and worship sessions were rendered by bishops and members of the old students association, setting a solemn but celebratory tone. This was followed by the reading of the scripture by the National President. Guests were later entertained by the Remo Secondary School mass choir, after which the old students mass choir delivered a performance that drew applause from the audience.
In her welcome address, the senior school principal, Mrs Oluwatoyin Ashaye, described the event as another landmark in the school’s journey of excellence. She said, “Today, February four last year was the last one, and it was a huge story of our common excellence and God’s goodness for us as a school. Interestingly, our narrative this year is better than the previous one. We have always moved from glory to glory, from excellence to excellence, and from greatness to greatness.”
Expressing gratitude to the alumni, she said, “I am personally grateful to the Almighty God for giving us this real version of the Old Students Association. Indeed, our old students are a pillar of this great institution. Your contributions have remained unparalleled, and they have been obvious at every sphere of this school, especially the infrastructure facilities.”
She noted that the commitment of the old students had driven learners to deeper dedication to their studies. “Your commitments have driven our learners to deeper commitments to their studies. Today, we are particularly gathered to award prizes for academic excellence, exemplary character and discipline,” she said. She challenged the award recipients not to rest on their laurels and encouraged other students to emulate them so they too could be celebrated in the future. She thanked the old students association, parents, the Parents’ Club, the state government and all stakeholders for providing a synergy that had enhanced the school’s performance.
A lecture was delivered by Bishop Olufemi Jesunaike, while goodwill messages followed from dignitaries. Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Alhaja Moriano Oloko.
The chairman of the occasion, Engineer Oyebola Owolabi Oladeinde, described the gathering as a historic milestone. He said, “I warmly welcome you all to the eightieth Founders’ Day celebration, thanksgiving and prize giving ceremony of Remo Secondary School, a milestone that few institutions attain and even fewer sustain with honour, relevance and dignity.”
Reflecting on the school’s origins, he said, “Eighty years ago, a vision was planted on this soil. Today, we gather to celebrate the strength of its roots, the richness of its branches and the countless lives it has touched.” He paid tribute to the founding fathers, Reverend W E Mellor, Abba William A Adedoyin and Reverend Cardinal B E Falloday, describing them as men of courage and foresight who dared to establish a co-educational school at a time when such an idea was widely resisted. “Their dream stands before us today, alive, growing and enduring,” he said.
Engineer Oladeinde acknowledged the support of the Ogun State Government and recognised principals, teachers, non-teaching staff, parents, benefactors and generations of students who had sustained the school over the decades. Addressing the current students, he said, “You are the stewards of tomorrow. May the weight of this history inspire you and not intimidate you.” He urged all stakeholders to move from remembrance to responsibility and deliberately preserve the school’s legacy.
Reports were later presented by school administrators, starting with the junior school principal, Mr Samuel Abibu. He expressed appreciation to the old students association, saying, “Sponsoring over five hundred students for external examinations and supporting university education for those who performed excellently is the climax for me.” He also commended the Commissioner for Education, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, for his contributions to the sector.
The Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engineer Noimot Salako Oyedele, described her visit to the school as memorable. She said, “This is the first time I am entering this compound, and from the gate, I have been seriously impressed. I have been wowed by what I have seen here. This place speaks of order, pride, history and a strong sense of ownership.”
She congratulated the alumni, staff and students, noting that eighty years reflected consistency, vision and collective effort. She described the school as a trailblazer and urged students to see their admission into the school as both a privilege and a responsibility. “Dream boldly, stay curious, be disciplined, respect your teachers and push yourself beyond your comfort zone,” she said, encouraging them to make the school proud wherever they go and return in future to give back.
The day also featured the commissioning of several projects, including the reconstruction and beautification of the school quadrangle by members of the seventy-five and eighty sets.
Speaking after the commissioning, the National President of the Remo Secondary School Old Students Association, Sir Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, said the celebration went beyond marking years. “We are celebrating the determination of our forefathers. It is not just about celebrating eighty years, but the determination of those who founded this school,” he said.
He explained that the founders took a bold step at a time when co-education was considered unacceptable. “Eighty years ago, when it was a taboo for boys and girls to gather together to learn in the same environment, they believed it could work,” he said. “Other schools tried it and failed, but to the glory of God and by the determination and faith of our forefathers, they did it and it succeeded.”
Sir Aare said the success of that vision remained evident in the school’s impact on lives and families over the decades. He described the transformation of the school in recent years as the product of vision and continuity. “When I came on board, my predecessor had planted a good foundation. We took it on with a determination and a clear vision that we want RSS to be great again,” he said.
He noted that while private schools had grown in number, public schools had suffered neglect, prompting the alumni to act. “We came together and said let us make RSS great again. Four years into this administration, this school is already being adjudged the best, and it is beginning to look like a university,” he said.
The National President revealed that the association was working with a long-term development plan. “We have a ten-year master plan. We are four years into it now, and we still have six years to go. Come back in six years and you will believe that this is a university. This did not start with my administration and it will not end with me. RSS made all of us,” he said.
Encouraging parents, he added, “If you have children who want the best education, bring them to RSS. We have been winning awards as the best public secondary school and the best junior secondary school in the country, and you can see the infrastructure springing up.”
He concluded by reaffirming the commitment of the alumni. “We, the Rossans, will continue to do our best to ensure that RSS becomes number one, not only in West Africa but across the world. In a few years, you will come back here and say bravo to Rossans.”
As activities wrapped up for the fourth day of the eight-day founders’ day celebration, the atmosphere reflected pride in the past, thanksgiving for the present and confidence in a future anchored on shared responsibility and excellence.
By Benprince Ezeh
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