Having grown his educational venture from a mere tutorial centre to Osezele Group of Schools, comprising nursery, primary and secondary schools in Mushin area of Lagos, Oyoria Iseghohi’s story is a classical example of starting small and growing big. Mistura Olaide Gafar had a session with him.
How did the whole idea of Osezele Group of Schools begin?
It has been a very interesting journey, tough at the beginning but I made up my mind not to give up. Osezele Group of Schools started as a tutorial centre with less than four or five students in a building on September 10, 2001. I put in a lot of efforts, determined to make it against the odds and along the line, God helped us and today, we have grown. What started small has become massive, and today, we have nursery, primary, junior and senior secondary schools. Fortunately, the school is government and WAEC approved.
Were you into teaching before establishing the tutorial centre?
Yes, I had been a seasoned teacher, having taught in different government schools outside Lagos and in a private school in Lagos. It was as a result of the pleasant experience I had in the profession that I decided to establish my own tutorial centre.
What inspired you into the business of education?
I read education, so I am an educationist and I want to impact knowledge to the young ones to make them emerge as future leaders and have what it takes to be proud of education. I must also say that it was my love for education that inspired me into educational line in the first place.
What have been the challenges and how have you coped?
Like everything you want to do, it wasn’t easy at the beginning. But the challenges didn’t stop me. I strongly believe that all you need to do is pray over things and if you are determined, you will surely overcome the challenges.
What are your guiding principles?
My aims and objectives are giving children quality education, raising the young ones in the best ways of life according to my motto of ‘education for the complete man.’ This connotes the ability to make the students come out complete in all aspects they are taught in school, such as technically, academically, emotionally and socially. This school is out not just to make money but to train minds and produce geniuses that would positively influence the society. We also train students to discover their hidden talents in different ways.
What are the changes you would like to see in the school?
When you look at the society today, what you see is scary; lots of roughness. But we are raising a generation that will turn around the corruption and the wretched situation of the society. I will love to see a lot of our students improving in their studies and morally, so that by the time they are graduating, they are in good positions.
What would you consider your greatest influence?
As a minister of God, I influence students academically, morally and righteously. Any time I see them participating for competitions and excelling representing the school, I feel proud of the school.
Have there been high points for the school, such as awards, honours etc?
We have won awards in the past, but I don’t have it to show at the moment.
Who are your role models and mentors?
I don’t want to mention any name, but I look up to other big schools. Also I use my bible and I have the fear God so I take him as my mentor as he guides me in my all.
Where would you like to see the school in the next few years?
The more the students that pass through us, the more access we get in the community. lf I have 5000 students, they would one day go out to impact knowledge in the society. So our dream is to see this school as one of the best schools producing top quality students.