It was a great reunion and a moment of joy and happiness on Wednesday (March 20, 2019) when the 1968/’72 set of the Government Secondary School (GSS) Ilorin, Kwara state, paid a traditional homage to the new Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Abdulraheem Adeoti who is also an alumnus of the college.
The congratulatory visit practically provided an avenue for old friends to meet again after several years of departure.
Oba Adeoti who was waiting patiently for his ‘august visitors’ though in March, could not hide his feelings when the visiting team led by it’s chairman, Elder Phillip Ajibola arrived the premises of the palace with truckload of old friends.
Sitting in a vantage and strategic position in his palace, Olomu was visibly elated as he started calling their names one after the other with their various nicknames and membership numbers.
Oba Adeoti was a member of Ajikobi House, and extremely happy to have sighted, Mr Usman Olawoyin of the same Ajikobi House, for meeting him for the first time since 1971 the new Olomu graduated from GSS, Ilorin.
The monarch who was a year Senior to the visiting set, confirmed that all of them were his friends in school and they still remain his friends up till now.
“Remember I didn’t exercise seniority in anyone of you, I was very caring and considerate and I did not believe in punishing the junior ones contrary to what was the widely practice during our school days” he said.
The Olomu, who was 1967/’71 set, described the 1968/’72 set of the GSS Ilorin as one of the lukiest sets of the college.
He said the set was lucky because it has produced many personalities who have made a mark in their various chosen fields.
The mornach said the ’72 set has produced the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin Professor Sulyman Age Abdulkareem, two-term former Deputy Rector, Kwara state Polytechnic, Ilorin, former Permanent Secretary, Kwara state Ministry of Information, Elder Osuolale Ajayi, while many of the set are doing in various countries of the world among others.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the set, Elder Phillip Ajibola said the visit was to congratulate the Olomu of Omu-Aran who was a year Senior of their set in GSS over his enthronement as the new Olomu of Omu-Aran.
Elder Ajibola urged the new Olomu of Omu-Aran to bring experience to bear as a consummate townplaner for the development of Omu-Aran in particular and the state in general.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Kwara state Ministry of Information, Elder Osuolale Ajayi decribed the Olomu as a humble and very caring senior who was friendly to all of his juniors while in school.
He advised the Olomu to always carry his chiefs along in the administration of the community, saying that the community will enjoy rapid growth and development if leaders of the community are working in a harmonious relationship.
Also speaking, the Eesa of Omu-Aran, Chief Jide Adebayo who was the former Executive Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) thanked the visiting team for identifying with their school mate and advised them to always rally round the new Olomu in terms of advice and other necessary support when the time arises.
The Eesa who was the former Commissioner of Information, Youth, Sport and Culture in kwara state pledged his unalloyed support and other chiefs to the new Oba for the attainment of the growth and development of Omu-Aran town.
Highlights of the event included presentation of gift, group photograph with the monarch and high chiefs of the community among others.
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