Tag: Ijebu-Jesa Grammar School

According to Michael Afolayan, a US-based Professor of Education and Linguistics, what is happening in IJGS “is a systemic problem – the aphorism of the crooked top. Today, we have a pseudo-leadership that has no value for education. Imagine such a great school you just appraised here having only 10 permanent teachers!

“Just imagine the IJGS in the days of Oba Joseph Ajayi Palmer, when every trained teacher wanted to come and serve there. I recall the late Mr. E. Adegbola, owner of Surulere Bookstore in Ile-Ife and Ijebu-Jesa, who was a headmaster where I taught at the time. He would contribute any amount and donate a stockpile of books to IJGS.”

This legacy of excellence and community support is a microcosm of the much larger educational landscape of Nigeria today. Nigerian education parades more than 270 universities, over 160 Colleges of Education, and roughly 145 Polytechnics. This tertiary system is supplied by an immense basic education sector, including approximately 129,600 primary schools and over 43,000 secondary schools.

At the best of times, those who hold the view that secondary institutions act as the foundational pipeline by preparing students academically and morally, and providing the required SSCE certification for university admission, are not far from the truth. After all, universities, in turn, influence the secondary system by setting minimum academic standards and by training the teaching manpower for the schools.

Beyond the cloak of deniability and euphemism, the voices and forces of the competition between public and private secondary schools have become so severe that, during SSCE periods, public school students often gravitate towards private schools, aka ‘miracle centers’, over their own institutions. The significant increase in the number of schools compared to the past, when secondary schools were scarce, has also contributed to the woes.

The truth we ignore is that Nigerian parents are no longer holding public education in high regard as they once did. As things stand, many Nigerian parents even prefer sending their children to schools with inadequate facilities, simply because they are labeled as private institutions. Added to these problems is the dearth of qualified teachers and essential teaching facilities.

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Evidently, the 1955 noble vision has become a trickle, proving that parents will always seek the best available educational life raft. To put it in succinct terms, IJGS’s stagnant enrollment is an indictment of the state’s negligence of the education sector. Unfortunately, there has been no focused opposition to expose these fatal flaws, thereby leading to a dangerous normalization of misplaced priorities. Or how do we situate the building of urban flyovers over the building of rural roads? This lack of scrutiny surrounding these decisions has been normalized as political sagacity across the states and only God can help us!

To rise out of this quagmire, governments across the board must stop using public schools as political dumping grounds for unqualified staff. For my alma mater, there’s an urgent need for an immediate cash injection to hire trained teaching, even non-teaching, staff to effectively compete with the glossy façade of the private sector. Otherwise, the school risks becoming a historic relic.

There’s no need to reinvent the wheel; the current efforts of Nigeria’s oldest school, CMS Grammar School, Bariga, Lagos, serve as a powerful example. Founded in 1859, former students of the school have laid the foundation for a $2.5m ICT centre to prepare its students for the future of technology. Similarly, Ilesa Grammar School’s distinguished alumni, including Wole Olanipekun SAN, and Obi Daramola, provide funding for resources and facility upgrades.

The Government College, Ibadan, Old Boys Association (GCIOBA) now manages its alma mater, following its government handover. India, Malaysia and Brazil have also demonstrated that alumni associations play a critical role in achieving sustainable development. Efforts such as this must not just be acknowledged but actively emulated by IJGS. This emulation would be the greatest acknowledgment and appreciation of the great community who planted the seed for this enduring institution seventy years ago.

To achieve this, IJGSOSA should set up an endowment fund to attract funds from home and abroad, towards bringing the institution to the cutting edge of modern society and meeting the needs of the next 50 years. This focus on capacity building represents the biggest expression of the ultimate concept of acceptable empowerment. We can go on and on, but handing out perishables or things that have no lasting economic impact should be out of sync with true empowerment.

On a day like this, we remember Bayo Okunmuyide, one of the authors of Champions Mathematics, published by MacMillan, and an inaugural graduating student. His son, Tayo Okunmuyide (’89 set), currently works with TotalEnergies SE.

We also honour Mike Awoyinfa (HSC, ’71 set), the Pioneer Editor of Weekend Concord and the founding Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited. Another prominent alumnus is Lanre Arogundade (1976/77 set), the man who famously described IJGS as a “university of high standards”.

Olukemi Babatunji, the Otun Iyalode of All Souls Anglican Church, Ijebu-Jesa, belonged to the ’84 set. The younger sister of Bishop Babatunji, she’s currently the Manager of Nursing Services in an Oil and Gas multinational concern.

We also remember the many dedicated academic staff members who guided us during those formative years at the school. These include:  Pa Joshua Agunsoye, Mr. & Mrs. D.D.W. Chandratilleke, Mr. & Mrs. P.J.D. Thanasingh and Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Babatunji.

Further names include: S.K. Tsipotey, Y. Ofori, Kofi Agyeman-Duah, C.A. Fasina, S.F. Obisesan, and many others like I.D. Hayibor, Nana Osei, Soula Pani, C.A. Afouda and Mrs. P.O. Ayoade.

Our remembrance extends beyond the classroom staff to honour the valuable administrative and supporting personnel, including: J.O. Dagunduro (Librarian), Akin Adejuwon (Bursar), Miss Bintu Asimi (Typist), and Biodun Kato (Clerk). We also remember Asimi Sanni, Josiah Obileye, Samuel Fajemisin, and Sunday Loye (Gardeners); Mustapha Atanda, aka ‘Kosepo’ (Driver), and Gabriel Ikotun (Night Watchman).

Still in the spirit of commemoration, Isaac Aderogba, aka ‘Kammy-Cut’ and ‘Baba Olomi’, comes to mind. Pa Aderogba was the ever-ready, always-smiling, happy and ‘no-dull-moment’ tailor who made the School’s uniforms and house wears until the late 1970s.

As I have argued earlier, IJGS’s alumni commitment is demonstrated through various renovation projects. I stand by it! For instance, in 2016, Class ’76 renovated the school’s Assembly Hall to mark its 40th anniversary. Professor Oyewole Ajifolokun (’82 set) renovated a classroom block while Class ’80 renovated the Principal’s Lodge to serve as the ‘Corpers Lodge’.

The ’89 set has been sponsoring the Chemistry teacher since September 2022, and the results of this effort have been fantastic. This set counts two professors among its members. The first is Professor Oloyede Bolaji, who is currently the Head of Department, Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, at the College of Health Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo.

Professor Bolaji is the President of the Class ’89 and also serves as the Global Assistant General Secretary 2 in the current IJGSOSA Executive Committee. The second is Professor Olumide Longe, currently the Vice Chancellor of West Midlands Open University, Lagos.

Although he didn’t attend the school, retired Army Colonel Wole Ogunseemi made a significant contribution to its infrastructure. During his time as a member of the Osun State House of Assembly (2003-2007) and as the Executive Chairman of Oriade Local Government (2008-2011), he constructed three blocks of nine classrooms in the school. Wole Oke, the Member Representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, also renovated a block of classrooms as a constituency project.

Felix Septuaginta Annorum Celebratio ad IJGS!

May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Nigeria!

• KOMOLAFE wrote from Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State, Nigeria (ijebujesa@yahoo.co.uk; 08033614419 – SMS only)

●Concluded.

Paying tribute to a respected institution as it marks three scores and ten of sustained success and brand excellence shouldn’t feel routine or simply like a chore. Instead, it ought to serve as a genuine moment to reflect deeply on its past achievements and the potential it may have missed.

The spirit and community efforts that led to the establishment of Ijebu-Jesa Grammar School (IJGS), Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State in January 1955 are worthy of remembrance and high commendation. The founding fathers were driven by a clear understanding of the consequences of inaction. Their determination was to align with the enlightenment and opportunities provided by Western education to uplift an incoming generation. They must be commended, not just for their pioneering efforts, but for their strategic astuteness.

IJGS is a result of the original blueprint by the Ijebu-Jesa Union Conference (IJUC), which initiated the concept circa 1936. That year, during the presidency of D.B. Aloba, the IJUC sent a delegation to secure the support of the chiefs and people of Ijebu-Jesa. The delegation included: S.A. Fatiregun, T.T. Ojumu, A.A. Esugbongbe, S.K. Ogunseemi, I.O. Fajuyigbe, J.O. Famakinwa and J.O. Aloba.

The principals who have served the school include: C.O. Komolafe (1955-1962); Z.A. Ogunmola (January-December 1963); P.O. Orunmuyi (1964-1972); E.A. Iyanda (1973-1975); S.A. Adewole (1975-1982); I.O. Orolugbagbe (1982-1984); and Olu Olowokure (1984-1999).

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Others were: G.A. Adesina (April-December 1991); M.O. Saseun (1992-1994); B.A. Fakankun (1995-2000); M.O. Fadare (2001-2005); P.O. Oyewale (2008-2012); J.O. Ayeni (2012-2017); I.O. Dagiloke (2017-2018); J.D. Olanipekun (2018-2020); C.B. Adeoye (2021-2024); and Bolanle Aderemi (2024-date).

Currently, IJGS boasts ten permanent teaching staff, three Teaching Practice teachers, and seven corps members. Additionally, there are fifteen PTA teachers whose wages are covered by the Old Students Association (IJGSOSA). Class ’71 has, for the past four years, employed and paid a Physics Teacher for the school and is willing to continue this generous commitment. Thankfully, the student beneficiaries have responded with outstanding performances.

To paraphrase what was said of Christopher Wren, the architect of Modern London, whose epitaph reads, “Si monumentum requiris, circumspice” (If you seek his monument, look around you). In the same powerful way, if you seek to know what those who conceived the idea of establishing IJGS achieved, look around you. The school has since provided a remarkable array of professionals and technocrats who have elevated the community and extended their reach beyond it.

IJGS opened with more than seventy students. This first set included Babajide Jayeoba, Patrick Agbara, Saka Sanusi, Jide Oluwi, and Oladapo Aloba, who served as the pioneer Senior Prefect. Among others were Gideon Oni, Dapo Olatunde, Ezekiel Ogundele, Theophilus Obisesan, and Koya Olubiyi.

An interesting part of the IJGS story is that its inaugural graduating class comprised only eleven students. Originally an all-male secondary school, the institution also admitted its first female students in 1966. They graduated in 1970.

The first student who made distinctions at the Cambridge examination (equivalent of today’s Senior Secondary School Examination, SSCE) was the late Professor Olaniyi Ayoade (1962 set). The first football goalkeeper of the school was the late Lere Adigun, aka, Maja. Adigun is fondly remembered for reportedly riding a bicycle all the way from Germany to Nigeria. The late Adepoju Onibokun, the first Professor of Urban and Regional Planning in Africa, was also a distinguished product of IJGS (1961 set).

The reigning Elegboro of Ijebu-Jesa, Oba Moses Olufemi Agunsoye is a 1976 product of the school. Oba Adesuyi Haastrup (Ajimoko III), the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, also attended IJGS for a year (1963-1964). Among other notable alumni is Francis Fadahunsi, the Senator Representing Osun East Senatorial District, who earned his Higher School Certificate (HSC) at IJGS between 1972 and 1973.

The list also features Olusola Famuyide (Class ’71), a retired Research Director and one-time Provost of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN). Another notable alumnus is Kolawole Kazeem (1976 set), a Professor at the University of Ibadan, current IJGSOSA Global President, and last substantive Provost of the former Osun State College of Education, Ilesa (2017-2021).

The list continues with Olutise Adenipekun (’77 set), former Registrar and Head of the Nigeria National Office of WAEC; Ambassador Adedayo Adefidipe (Class ’74); and Tony Igbaroola (Class ’76), owner of Sambeatz Hotel and Suites, Ilesa.

Olukayode Abe (’77 set) is a renowned administrator and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management. He maintains key roles in various organizations and serves as a Facilitator and Senior Lecturer in Rome Business School in Rome, Italy. His younger brother, Oluwaseyi Abe, mni (’83 set), is a multifaceted professional whose expertise spans banking, insurance, finance, and solar energy. He’s the 9th President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers and sits on the boards of several companies.

Tayo Abogan (Class ’78) is the Chairman, Committee of Deans, and the Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Studies at the Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke. Before his current roles, Abogan served as the Acting Deputy Rector and, from 2010 to 2019, as the Head of Urban and Regional Planning Department.

Among the Class ’84 were: Sola Fasoranti, a US-based Petroleum Engineer; Professor Wole Ajayi (LAUTECH, Ogbomoso); Bank Executives Olufemi Fasoyin and Abayomi Fadare; and Adebowale Adeduntan, a Dublin-based Mechanical Engineer. The set also includes Rt. Rev. Olugbenga Babatunji, the Lord Bishop of Osun Diocese (Anglican Communion), and Pastor Femi Faseru of the KICC, Lagos. Femi Faseru’s younger brother, Babalola Faseru (1987 set), is a Professor of Population Health at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC).

I belonged to the 1985 set, and I was the Chapel Prefect Boy. The set showcased a superb team, including: Akinyemi Adu (Senior Prefect Boy), who sadly died on October 21, 2025, and Onifade Toyin (Senior Prefect Girl). Falola Moses served as Labour Prefect Boy; Ajayi Ige (Agriculture Prefect) died on December 11, 2023. The late Ajayi Olamide was the Chapel Prefect Girl, while Ekundayo Temitope and Aworele Kehinde held the Social Prefect roles.

​Fasoyin Oluropo was the Punctuality Prefect while Faseyitan Dada (Boy) and Dada Margaret (Girl) served as Health Prefects. Komolafe Oluwaseun was the Library Prefect Boy. Olugbade Ebenezer (Boy) and Agbedu Elizabeth (Girl): Games Prefects; and Agbedu Emmanuel (Boy) and Ekundayo Ayodele (Girl): Food Prefects. Among the House Prefects were Olagunju Julius (Agigiri, Boy), Arojojoye Adejare (Agigri, Girl), and Anakali Pius (Yoloye, Boy).

IJGS presently has 327 students. The current leadership team includes Adeosun Boluwatife (Head Boy); Ajayi Sharon (Head Girl/Health Girl); Ojelabi Michael (Assistant Head Boy/Punctuality Prefect Boy); and Oladipupo Favour (Assistant Head Girl/Punctuality Prefect Girl). Other prefects are Swardart Samson and Giwa Omotola (Labour Prefects, Boy and Girl respectively); Akinsola Emmanuel (Social Prefect Boy); Adedayo Precious (Social Prefect Girl); and Taiwo Ayomikun (Games Prefect). The team is rounded out by Omilegan Lekan (Time Keeper), and Chapel Prefects Tofunmi Ademilolu and Olanipekun Khadijat.

Not unexpectedly, the alumni have been instrumental in significant infrastructural developments for the school. For example, Engr. Folorunso Esan (Class ’81) secured Federal Government funding for the complete renovation of the Administrative Building, and Senator Fadahunsi funded the construction of an ICT Centre. Class ’73 sponsored the renovation and equipping of the Science Laboratories with modern facilities.

IJGSOSA facilitated the establishment of a School Clinic and a Games Block, while Class ’85 renovated four classrooms within the Administrative Building. These examples represent only a fraction of the alumni’s contributions.

We might ask: Why is a school with such great potential still struggling with enrollment and related issues, seventy years on, with the student figure currently standing at less than 350? Of course, the challenge lies not with the school itself but with the powers and principalities in the current societal climate.

● To be concluded.