Activities marking the 60th anniversary of St. John’s Grammar School, Ile-Ife has began in earnest.
Just as the Principal and Staff of the school are warming up to celebrate the 60th birthday of the school, the old students are also involved.
The Johnians, as they are called have launched the 60th anniversary preparations with a Logo contest. Two Sundays back, the old students of St. John’s Grammar School, launched a logo design competition to flag off events to mark the school’s 60th anniversary. It was a virtual event.
For those who don’t know, let’s tell you that St. John’s Grammar School is a reputable grammar school in Ile-Ife with a rich history that has produced eminent and distinguished Nigerians, who today have made a name for themselves. They have all become celebrities. They are achievers.
St. John’s Grammar School, Oke-Atan, Ile-Ife, is a school that was set up in 1962. But preparations for the setting up of the school actually began in 1961.
According to available information the Ministry of Education granted the approval to open a “new Private Secondary Grammar School for Boys” on the 27th day of September, 1961 via Letter no. EDU/SG. 458/1/22 issued to His Lordship, Right Reverend Bishop O. McCoy, Bishop of Oshogbo Diocese as the Proprietor.
The school opened with 33 students and 2 members of Staff on the 19th day of January, 1962.
The 2 members of staff were Principal: Reverend Father F. Cloutier W.F. B.A Laval, 1944 and Assistant Principal: Reverend Father G. Phaneuf W.F. B.A. Montreal, 1957.
Barely 8 years after opening, the school recorded a 100% sterling performance in the West African School Certificate, GCE, the 1970 graduating set, whose result in the examination was released on the 4th day of June, 1971, “Eight Division 1, (two of whom got Division 1 Distinction), Twenty Division 2, Fifteen Division 3, No Failure, No GCE. The best ever”.
“We must therefore, in gratitude,” in the words of Reverend Father Fabian Cloutier reproduced hereunder, recognize among others those who made the building of the Alma Mater possible.
“When I accepted to be the Founding Principal, I did not foresee that I will spend 16 academic sessions in St. John’s. I was then told “my reward would be in heaven”. Belonging to a Missionary Society, I was satisfied with this remote expectation. Right from the start however, I realized that I was already being generously rewarded, first by the progress of the Students, secondly by the cooperation of the staff and thirdly, by the support of my Proprietor, The Catholic Mission and of my Board of Governors, Fourthly, by the good name students, staff and parents have built up together for the school, finally, by the gratitude and the affection of the Old students for their Alma Mater”.
“The success of a school is often attributed to its Principal. If I have achieved any success, I owe it first of all to Almighty God for His protection, guidance and blessings. Secondly to all those mentioned above. A thousand thanks to them all”.
At this stage, we should like to put on record the outstanding contributions of
The 4 families which generously donated parts of their precious land viz: Lami, Iredunmi, Ejesin and Aderemi Families.
Messrs. G A. Adeniran (the Proprietor’s Representative) and A. Adeyombo who were active members of the Board of Governors from its very first meeting on 3rd December 1964 to January 1977.
Rev. Brother J. Mooney, who not only drafted the plans of the main Classroom Block, the Science Block and the First Staff House but also executed them.
Rev. Fr. C. Roy who established Y.C.S. on a firm foundation in this school. He also planned the Sports Field and organized its leveling and marking as well as built the the grand stand and supervised the building of the Assembly Hall.
Rev. Brothers J. Mullen and Wolfang who at one time or the other advised us and supervised building work.
Mr. T Adebamiro, who with his team of Carpenters has so far put on the Roof of all existing buildings in the School compound.
Mr. Peter Daramola, the Head Bricklayer who has to his credit the building of the Administrative block first floor, Two Staff Houses, The Second Classroom block, the Dining Hall, the Vice Principal’s House, the new Biology Laboratory and The Principal’s House.
A.T. Aremu, who as a Teacher and as Vice Principal singled himself out by his maturity, tact, human understanding, competence, his sense of Leadership and of discipline thereby making a deep and lasting impression on the students, Staff and Parents.
One significant thing about the school is that it has produced very many great Nigerians like former Osun Deputy Governor, Senator Iyiola Omisore, OVATION Publisher, Bashorun Dele Momodu, Diran Odeyemi, Ibadan politician, Kehinde Bamigbetan, former Lagos Information Commissioner. There are others like Senator Babajide Omoworare, Yomi Layinka, Barrister Dr. Olusola Oyeyemi, Captain Mukaila Adeniyi Ademiju, Rev. Obafemi Omisade, Seyi Adefisan, Dr. Richard Olatunji Akintilo, Bishop Abiodun Olaoye, Dr. Lawrence Olajide Makinde and Pastor Faleye Emmanuel Oluwaniyi.
There are other prominent old students like Soji Adelore, Doyin Adelore, Soji Adewale, Isaac Olayinka, Odun Adetoye, Dapo Adeyeba, John Awope, Ayoola Badejo, Bashiru Jimoh, Osuolale Awoyode, Segun Fadiora, Jide Olufemi, Jibade Omisore, Dapo Fadiora, Festus Olayeni, Bayo Adewole, Sanjo Shobowale, Oseni Mohammed, Agbo Adeniji, Bolu Awofolaju, Yinka Akinyoade, Soji Folorunsho and Olabiyi Feyemi.
There are others like Sunday Idonije, Adewuyi Adetogun, Augustine Fayemi, Segun Ajagunna, Jide Ilori, Tope Elusogbon, Solomon Adetoro, Sunday Ajanaku, Biodun Olabampe, Lanre Ijiwande, Folahan Adebowale, Ayoola Owojori, Femi Fakunle, Bisi Obawole, Olayiwola Ilori, David Afolabi, Abass Adeosun, Yinka Adegbesan, Timothy Olayera, Ajayi Omoleye, Funso Fagbemi, Bayo Awotodunbo, Bunmi Alonge, Alo Kehinde, Femi Aletan, Dejo Fayemi, Bisi Oladosu, Sunday Ekhalume, Samson Ibijola and Emmanuel Owojori.
Lets also add more old students like Engr. Adewuyi Adetogun, Debo Adefisan, Tope Elusogbon, Olaolu Omifare, Joseph Adedire, Dr. Olajide Makinde, Engr. Ayodele Alabi, Prof. Adekunle Eludire, Anthony Olufidipe, Jibola Awoseyi, Jide Olufemi, Seyi Adefisan, Prof. Olatunde Arayola, Engr. Wole Obawole, Olapade Ilori, Adejobi Jonathan, Babajide Ilori, Yinka Lawal, Ayo Oyewusi, Aremu Ayinla, Olafemi Alade, Adedapo Adeyeba, Ayodeji Babaranti, Lawrence Olufemi, Kola Adetunmbi, Oba Obadare, Lasisi Durojaye, Wale Adeyemo, Kunle Fuwape, Bayo Aderalegbe, Kunle Omisore, Lere Asifat, Ajagunna Oluwasegun, Ayo Badejo, Olajolo Olayiwola, Olayemi Goke, Kehinde Thomas, Ajayi Omoleye, Adeniyi Adeyemi, Ayodeji Babaranti, Dannarez, Martins Awofisayo, Adelanke Bakare, Pastor Obisakin, Mathew Fayemi, Bishop Bisi Olaoye, Dr. Sola Oyeyemi, Wola Adeyemo, Ayo Adefisayo, Aderemi Alarape, Bola Adebowale, Adegboyega Adepegba, Dr. Tao Mustapha, Odunayo Adefioye, Adeniji Ademiju, Lekan Awojodu, Segun Omoworare, John Adebowale, Sam Oludunfe, Isaac Olayinka, Adeboye Lateef, Obisakin Lawrence, Bisi Obawole, Yinka Aderibigbe, Prof. Olatunde Aruyela, Oluseyi Adekanmbi, Olugbenga Awoyode, Prof. Gabriel Oshoba Babajide Ilori, Lawrence Adegoke Salako, Odunayo Adetoye, Dr. Adebola Yussuf, Akin Akindele and Olajolo Olayiwola.
Prof. Adewale Ladipo (former Nat. Secretary PDP), Barrister Dele Oloke (Chairman NBA, Ikeja Branch), Hon. John Fasogbon (former Member Federal House of Reps-IFE Federal Constituency, Mr. Yomi Layinka (former SA, Media to late Oyo State, Governor, Abiola Ajimobi), Mr. Gbenga Adefaye (MD, Vanguard Media/Provost, NIJ), Mr. Ayo Alabi, Construction Giant and Dr. Festus Osoba (President of the Alumni). He is an Ophthalmologist. There are others like Dr. Ademola Ayodele, (a Gynaecologist & MD, Strongtower Hospital), Pharmacist Oyebanjo, (MD Mopson Pharmaceuticals) Justice Yinka Afolabi, Osun State High Court and Mr. Obafemi Obada (Editorial Board member, The PUNCH) The list is long and unending. There are many more celebrities.
The old students set up an Association a few years back with Chief Sunday Abimbola Bolaji as Protem Chairman, Chief Segun Owolade as Protem Publicity Secretary, and Gabriel Osoba as Protem Secretary.
President, was Chief Bolaji S.A., 1st Vice President, Evangelist Olayinka C.O., 2nd Vice President, Adelore A., Secretary Osoba G.A., Financial Secretary, Owolawi A.M., Treasurer, Omopariola P.A., Publicity Secretary, Chief Owolade S.A., Assistant Publicity Secretary, Adenuga S.B
The Association now has Chief Sunday Bolaji as President, Francis Oyawole (Late) as 1st Vice President, Chief Dejo Adejobi as 2nd Vice President, Tunji Adeyemo as Secretary-General, Prof. Gabriel Osoba as Asst. Secretary General, Mr. Adebayo Olgbenla as Asst. Secretary General, Tony Olufidipe as Treasurer, Dr. Saka Opeloye as Financial Secretary, Gbenga Adefaye as Publicity Secretary, Kehinde Bamigbetan as Social Secretary, and Tope Elushogbon in charge of as Record and Statistics, and Tunde Awoyemi also in charge of as Record and Statistics.
Ex-Officio Members: Adeyeba Adelekan (Late), Charles Babatunde Layade, Dr. Tao Mustapha, Diran Odeyemi, Bashorun Dele Momodu, Chief M.O Paul, Oluomo Gbenga Owolabi, Femi Makinde, Prof. Dapo Adedire (Late), Chief Bioye Olatunbosun, Prof. Tunde Arayela, Dr. Festus Oshoba, Segun Awoyefa, Engineer Ayodele Alabi, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Compol Awosola Awotinde, Captain Adeniyi Ademiju, Barrister Dr Olusola Oyeyemi, Ayo Akinsomi, Samuel Sina Oludunfe, Prof. ‘Wale Oladipo, Yinka Lawal, Bayo Ogunkunle, Prof. Adekunle Eludire, Segun Olafare, Alade Awofisayo, Laide Olaniyan, Bamigbetan Kehinde, Debo Adefisan, Justice Yinka Afolabi, Michael Osobu, Dr. Basil Babajide Fadipe, Dr. Julius Bode Fadipe, Felix Siyanbola Fadipe, Kenneth Olaleye Fadipe, Gbenga Adefaye, Seyi Adefisan, Oluomo Gbenga Owolabi, Dr. Tao Mustapha, Bishop Abiodun Olaoye, Tony Olufidipe, Francis Abiodun Fasesin, Tunde Ojeyinka, Dr. Lawrence Olajide Makinde, Ayo Badejo, Apostle Bisi Olaoye, Prof. Gabriel Oshoba, Dr. Fayenuwo G A, Ike Diaku, Oyebimpe Kehinde, Rev Akinwale Razak Balogun, Abiodun Coker, Engineer Wuyi Adetogun, Adeyeba Adedapo, Soji Adelore, Engineer Eluwole Posi Samuel, Surveyor Gbenga Alara, Adegoke Adereti Anthony, Omifare Olaolu, Taiwo Thomas, Ambassador Obisakin Lawrence, Adebisi Oladele, Obisakin Thomas Rotimi, and many others like Adebola Yusuff and Ike Diaku.
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