The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Principal

  • Ondo suspends three Principals, Teachers over indiscipline

    Ondo suspends three Principals, Teachers over indiscipline

    Ondo State government has suspended three principals and 23 teachers of secondary schools indefinitely over alleged lackadaisical attitude to work and indiscipline.

    The Chairman of the state Teaching Service Commission, Mr Francis Igbasan disclosed this in Akure, the state capital at the presentation of promotion letters to 2,500 teachers in the state.

    He explained that during an unscheduled visit of members of the commission to over 72 secondary schools across the state, it was discovered that the hammered principals and teachers were not discipline.

    According to him, “the commission would not take the issue of indiscipline at
    work lightly again, the TESCOM of yesterday is different from the TESCOM of today. Any teacher or member of staff that is not serious at his or her duty posts would be shown the way out.

    “This government is trying its best for workers of this state, so the workers too should reciprocate it with hardwork,” he added.

    At the occasion, Governor Olusegun Mimiko announced that the commission has been directed to recruit 1,050 teachers.

    Mimiko, who was presented by his deputy, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo stated that the recruitment would be based on merit and the recruitment examination conducted in 2014 will also be used .

  • Principal seeks review of teachers’ retirement age

    Former principal, King’s College (KC), Lagos, Otunba Oladele Olapeju has called for a review of teachers’ retirement age to align with that of university professors and avoid waste of intellectual resources.

    He made the call after completing a one-hour session of teaching English Language to SS 2 pupils in a ‘back to class’ engagement as part activities to mark his retirement from the school.

    Many retired and serving principals of KC and Queen’s College (QC) participated in the special ‘back to class’ day and taught different senior classes on the college’s main campus at Tafawa Balewa Square.

    He said: “As a teacher, you must continue to learn. Students put you in your toes so you are forced to add more knowledge consistently, and this challenge is what I would miss the most about teaching. Which is why I think it is a waste of resources for teachers to retire at age 60, whereas, in the university, a professor now retires at 70. Some teachers might still be needed in the system by using their experience and exposure to mentor others. I think there should be a review in the retirement age of teachers.”

    Mrs Mojisola Abolade, 69-year old 2006 retiree of QC, said teaching again brought back memories.

    “The experience was just the same. The pupils were very responsive, eager to learn and participatory. It was just like a question and answer session. To get that effect from them, I had to relate with them in a friendly manner. I got to know them; I moved round and showed interest in each pupil. I even saw a boy with a boil in the eye and I asked him about it. Then I began the teaching session, as I taught them about ‘the disequilibrium in the balance of payments’ in economics,” she said.

    Prior to the session, emeritus professor of education, University of Ibadan (UI), Michael Omolewa called for the restoration of privileges and incentives enjoyed by teachers before independence as a way of building sustainable societies.

    He faulted politicians and government for the poor regard for teachers as well as poor wages and urged the present administration to make a change.

    Omolewa said: “The story of teacher incentives has not produced a straight graph of adequate reward and compensation. At independence, teachers were mostly members of parliament combining law making with their jobs. They were well-paid… This arrangement was to change at independence when teachers began to experience the increasing loss of status and wages as the new political leaders began to complain about the attractive conditions of the staff of the University College at Ibadan… Thus university teachers began to lose their initial advantage in terms of wages, salaries and emoluments. The teaching load of staff had also thus increased with minimal economic compensation.”

    He stressed that empowerment of teachers must consistently remain a priority to any nation that was genuinely interested in national development.

     

  • “I was a principal for 20 years”

    “I was a principal for 20 years”

    Mrs. Iyabo Funmilola Osifeso recently retired as Permanent Secretary/Tutor-General in Lagos Ministry Education District VI. The disciplinarian, who served as a school principal for 20 years before elevated to the position of Tutor-General spoke with TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO on her career and achievements, excerpts  

    How would you assess your tenure as permanent secretary/Tutor-General?

    My tenure was very successful. I have added value to what I met here. And from the feedback I get from the principals and my directors here, we know we have achieved. It is my prayer that my successor will build on our achievements just like I built on what I met on the ground.

    When I got here, we renovated the district headquarters because it used to be like the block of the primary school. But we approached the government and we were given funds to renovate. The windows, the tiles, the toilets and everywhere have been renovated. Aside from that, our students have improved considerably in co-curricular activities. In 2013, our students came first and we produced the One-Day Governor. A student in Omole Grammar school came first in the Spelling Bee competition. Also in the year 2014, the district produced the One-Day Governor. A student from Army Children High School came first. So, for two years consecutively, we produced the One-Day Governor in the state.

    We have also had our students representing the district in so many activities up to the national level and internationally. We have seen lots of improvements. Although we are not where we are supposed to be yet, teaching/learning has been greatly enhanced in the district. We have put in place things like subject clinic, and we started with Mathematics whereby teachers are invited and they sit together to brain storm on difficult topics and ask questions and how to handle issues. We started with Mathematics, English, the sciences and other subjects. The good ones would assist the weak ones.

    We don’t want to leave them the way they are. Some are very good and we are achieving results. We bring them together, they rub minds and the district is better for it.

    How did you manage to combine your career with maintaining your home?

    Well, I give God the glory for making it possible for me to make it in my career and my home is still intact. Because most of the time, I am away, especially after I became a principal in a school with a boarding house. You must live in the school. When I was at Epe Grammar School, my house was in town, so it was very easy. But when you move out, you become a weekend wife.

    How did your in-laws take it?

    Well, not much. I don’t have any problem with my in-laws; it is the person you are relating with that you will have to settle with, and that is my husband. My in-laws are far away. I have responsibility to someone and as much as I don’t fail in my responsibility, I ensure that food is there, there is a house help in place and I go home often.

    But becoming a tutor-general was another burden. It was only at weekends that I could go home because there was no way I would be coming from Epe to this place (Oshodi). So, I stayed at Ajah, and that place is even far. But my husband understands. If he didn’t, then there would be quarrel. But when I am at home, I am at home.

    What were the low points in your career?

    You know people are fond of writing petitions about things that did not happen. They would say this person did something, but at the end of the day, nothing happened. A lot of negative things happened but, to God be the glory, I was never found wanting. Each time I was transferred from one school to another, they would say I was too tough, difficult or stubborn. And even right from the office, if a teacher was being sent to me, they would say that woman you are going to meet is too tough, and I often asked whether I ever asked them to do anything outside what they were employed for.

    If I ask you to do the job you were employed to do, I don’t see anything wrong in that. I was moved from Epe Girls High School (a day school) to Epe Grammar School (a boarding school) because the school was in a mess and they wanted it reformed. After receiving the promotion letter, I called my teachers to a meeting. I told them that they were the ones who gave me the promotion because of the way they talked about me, that I was too difficult and strict. Their petitions projected me and moved me up the ladder.

    How long have you been in service?

    I have been in service for 35years, and would be exiting service in three days, by the grace of God.

    Can you recall the day you received your letter of appointment? How did it feel?

    When I was given the letter of appointment, I was very excited and was looking forward to making a career in the teaching profession. I started with a National Certificate in Education (NCE) and along the line, I went for other courses, like degree and masters programmes in education.

    Which schools did you attend?

    For my NCE, I went to the Institute of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. For my degree, I also attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria while my master’s degree was in Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye.

    Why Zaria? Are there no institutes of education in the South West?

    That was where I got admission. I gained admission in Zaria, so I had to go. Besides, my father urged me go to wherever I was offered admission. He was not ready to follow me to plead with anyone for admission. He said, ‘Since that is where you have been given admission, you must go.’ And that was precisely what happened. I did not know anyone there. My closest interaction outside Lagos then was Ibadan. I did not want to go because it was very far.

    How was it then for someone born and bred in the South West to leave for the North to study?

    It was interesting. At first I was afraid because I had never left the South West before then. All my education was between Epe, Ijebu-Ode and Lagos. I had not really gone out of the state. But since my father said I should go to where I was given admission, I went and it was very rewarding.

    When I got there, the people I met were very accommodating. The principal I met there was very accommodating. The school had not yet resumed, so he accommodated me in his house, because I went there three days before resumption. Another time, we went for teaching practice and I had an accident at Kontagora. We were admitted at the general hospital there, and messages were sent to the school and also home. For about three to four days, nobody came to see me, and I was like what am I doing here? So I decided I wanted voluntary discharge. Meanwhile, I did not know anyone in that community. But they attended to me and treated me like I was at home. The people brought food for me in the morning, afternoon and evening.

    I think it was the wife of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in that area that was bringing food for me, as well as other people around. But when she came on that day, I told her she should not bother again, and I wanted to leave because I was not getting any message from anybody.

    They were pleading with me to stay till I fully recovered. I agreed, but I was not happy. About 30 minutes later, they came from school with a vehicle to pick me. They are good people, and it was really good travelling out of the state because it was another experience. If you haven’t been to other cities, you would think that the world starts and ends in your domain. But if you go out and meet other people, then you will appreciate God’s work.

    I have met people that are really friendly. If there were bad experiences, they were very few. The people I met up north were very accommodating.

    Irrespective of the religious differences?

    Yes. I remember when there was a strike and for several months we were at home. The people around made us to feel at home. They attended to us, and it was like we were in our own communities. They won’t do that now. The North then was very beautiful. It was a good place to live. People were kind and accommodating, and I did not feel like a stranger living there then.

    When you joined the service in Lagos State, did you think that you could become a permanent secretary/tutor-general?

    I never thought so. In fact, I did not want to continue with the job after some time, because you would see people in local government, the way they were living lavishly, and I was like, am I going to stay on this type of job? I wanted to opt out. I started teaching at CMS Grammar School. Later, my husband went back home at Epe, so I had to go back home with him reluctantly. I did not want to, but my parents forced me. I wanted to take another job so that I would not go back to Epe, but my father insisted that I had to follow my husband, because our marriage was too young for us to start leaving apart. So, I agreed and went back home.

    It was not easy, but I enjoyed my work. I taught Chemistry then and at that place, there was shortage of science teachers. So I was teaching sciences in three schools, Chemistry to be precise, and I enjoyed it. I would go to school A, B, C, or if they wanted to do practicals, the students would come and meet me in the school laboratory at no extra cost, and I enjoyed it then. Nobody would do that for you now. After some time, I wanted a change of job, because I saw our colleagues working in other places and making rampant progress. But one of my superior officers then, the SMC (Schools Management Committee) secretary at Epe, discouraged me from doing so.

    After some time, I wrote an application that I wanted to transfer my service to the local government, and the same man asked what I was going to look for in the local government that I would not find here (teaching service). He refused to sign and said, ‘Ohun te n wa lo Sokoto, o wa lapo sokoto (what you are going to Sokoto to look for is in your pocket). ‘What is there in the local government that is not here? Stay on this job and you will grow.’

    Another time, I said I wanted to go to Lagos State University (LASU). I wrote again and this man refused to sign for me. So I stayed and after some time I became a principal (laughs). But I never knew I would grow so fast because at that time, principals were not made permanent secretaries. This development came about 10 years ago, and even at that, one would not have thought that one would be picked among so many people.

    What will you say is the turning point in your profession?

    Well, I always put in my best in everything I do. When I started, I was teaching Chemistry in three schools at no extra cost. That is me. And when they wanted young graduates at the School Management Committee (SMC), because of the way I took my job, I was one of the three that were penciled down to head the place. I was made the Head of Personnel; another young man was made the Head of School Admin and the third person the Head of Educational Services. The three of us were young graduates then. That appointment, I think, was one of the turning points in my career.

    Any regret now that you did not move to local government?

    Not at all. I don’t have any regret. If I had gone to all those places, I couldn’t have had it better. I stayed, I put in my best and my contribution was recognised because I moved from maybe a small school to a bigger and better one. My dedication to the job was recommending me for several postings. And once I became a principal, it was like a joke. The principal in that school in Epe was transferred to Lagos and the place was vacant. I just approached my boss then that this school, I would like to go there, and the thing just clicked. I asked myself then that if I become a principal at this early stage, what was I looking for again? But I just decided to stay.

    The saying that teachers’ reward is in heaven definitely doesn’t really apply to you because you enjoyed service from start to finish. Or what do you make of the adage?

    I don’t really buy into it. Everybody’s reward will start from here before the one in heaven. If you do it well, like I used to tell my teachers then, you will enjoy. Because if you are going, and somebody you don’t even recognise again, a student you had taught, would approach you and say you taught me in so and so school. It gladdens my heart.

    In fact, recently, almost every week, I met those students in groups and as individuals. They will know you but you would not know them. Government also pays their (teachers’) salaries as and when due. I became a principal in Epe at a very early age. I think I was on Grade Level 10 then. Graduates then would not want to go to the rural area, but because my husband went back home, and we had just got married, I also had to go. Initially, like I said, I did not want to go. My father said no, you must go to where your husband is. Staying in the rural area gave me an edge. I started being a principal from Level 10.

    How old were you then?

    It was in 1992 and I was 36 years old then. I served as principal for about 20 years.

    How would you compare the level of education then with what we have now?

    That time, the student population was manageable. But these days, there is over population in the whole system. If you go to a class and you see the kind of heat that is coming out from the classroom, the classes are filled to the brim. Because government wants all students to be in school, all students are accommodated and most of our schools are over populated. If the class size is manageable, it would be easy for teachers to give assignments. But since the class is too large, honestly, it cannot be thorough. And these days, facilities are over stretched, unlike those days.

    In the secondary school I attended, as a science student, I had a locker assigned to me in the laboratory where all the equipment was kept. When we had practical, you would go to the locker to bring out the equipment and carry out the practical yourself after the teacher must have demonstrated it to you. But we can’t do that these days because the facilities are not there; same for higher institutions.

    These days, the number of subjects being offered is more than what it used to be. There are so many challenges. Apart from that, there are so many distractions these days, which we did not have at that time. The Internet, which is supposed to be a plus for students, many of them use it for so many negative things. You would see them sending love messages, and at the end of the day, you would be wondering why the children are not passing exams. While a few are reading, many others are doing something else. During our time, we did not have such distractions. When it was prep time, we were there reading, and when it was bed time, you must be on your bed; you could not be found outside. It was possible because the class size was manageable. But who can we blame? We can’t blame government because we want all children to be educated. We don’t want students on the road and we keep managing until we get what we want.

    Don’t you think that government failed to plan as population grows?

    No, I would not say that government has not planned. In Lagos State, there are 671 secondary schools – junior and senior. In those days, how many did we have? At that time, missionaries were fully involved in running schools and fees were being paid in government schools. But today, government is running free education because they have made a political statement that they want to give free education. They have really planned. If students were to pay, that money would be used to put other things in place.

    And in Lagos, you see people coming in on a daily basis because of free education, and for one reason or the other, they are admitted into the school. If you want to say let’s admit our own children alone, the system would be more comfortable, very comfortable. They can’t even use all the facilities. But because of the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos, we have people coming in every day. If policemen are posted here now, they will come with their family. And if they go to the ministry, the commissioner will approve because they will want those children to be in school; ditto for military men. There are times we complain about over-population of the schools and the commissioner will ask where we should we keep the children.

    Are you impressed with the quality of the teaching staff today, compared to your own time?

    Many of our teachers now are not as committed as the teachers of those days. I am not saying all of them, but some are more committed than others, and the economic situation does not help the situation. Imagine someone coming from Ikorodu or Sango Ota. Before you get here (Oshodi), you are already tired and the work is already boring to you. And when you are going home, you encounter traffic.

    When I was in a boarding school, the teachers lived in the school. The quality of work those one would do would be better than a teacher who leaves home at 5 am to get here, unlike someone who will walk 10 minutes to the office. And if you want to teach in the afternoon, the students are there. Just gather them and teach, even in the night. So the distance counts a lot. I always pray for a situation whereby government would put in place a staff quarters to help some people.

    What will you say are your happiest moments?

    My happiest day on this job was the day I was a made a principal. In fact, it was like a mirage. I was like is it real? I was in the office then. We went to Eko Management Board for a meeting and one of my colleagues told me that my letter was ready, and I was like whose letter was ready? Is it just like that? I asked. I was happy, overwhelmed and surprised. That was sometime in March 1992, and we were on grade Level 10 then.

    What should have been the normal grade level?

    It depends, because in that area, not many of us were on that level. It was a time that young graduates were just going there. At least, some were even principals on Grade Level 9 then because of the locality. The young people didn’t want to go to the rural areas. They preferred to stay in Lagos. And the population in Lagos is too large. So many people are qualified, unlike in that area where there are just a few of us.

    In my district today, we have some Level 17 officials who are still teaching in the classroom; not even vice-principal because the vacancy is not there. The luxury is no longer there now. It does not happen anywhere again even in the riverine areas. Even there now, to become a vice-principal, the minimum grade level is 15.

    I will continue to thank my father and my boss then, Alhaji Kola Bakare, for my early achievements. I have told everybody around me that Alhaji Bakare is the man that made me to stay on the job. I had wanted to leave but he encouraged me to stay.As a child, my mother used to have my hair cut very low. When it was kept long, I used to feel feverish, with headache. So, she told me not to be cutting my hair again. That was how I maintained my hair cut from childhood. It is spiritual.

  • Principal advises outgoing pupils

    The Principal Ansarudeen Grammar School, Randle Avenue, Surulere Lagos, Mr Habeeb Badru left the 2015 Tgraduating pupils with three pieces of advice: “never forget your roots; find inspiration in everything you encounter in life; and live your life to the fullest.”

    He said this while giving a farewell speech to the outgoing Senior Secondary School (SSS) 3 pupils.

    He said: “Some will look back with great fondness and will celebrate with great pride and joy, others will have mixed feelings about what has taken place over this time. In case, remembering where you come from, building on the positives; learning from mistakes made or misfortunes had is the key for future success and happiness.”

    Badru said the graduands should not play a second fiddle.

    The Chairman, Board of Governors of the school, Mr Nosiru Kekere Ekun, told the pupils that they were transiting from one point in their lives to another.

    “It is a point of transition of decision, action and movement, you cannot afford to tarry too long as you might constitute a nuisance to yourself or others and even expose yourself to some inconveniences or worse”, he said.

    Mr Kekere Ekun, whose speech is titled: ‘On the threshold of manhood’, said they are now about to cross that entry point to manhood to signal a new beginning, and a new life full of dreams and possibilities.

    The lecturer of the day Dr Saheed Olurotimi Timehin’s talk was titled: “No leader for all time – The change we truly need.”

    Timehin said the graduands’ parents want them to become winners, noting that they are the only ones who can work for it.

    “They (parents) can pay your fees, buy you good books, send you to a good school like this, but they cannot read your books for you and neither can they write your exams in your stead. Therefore the main task of becoming a winner is yours and yours alone,” he counselled.

  • How school retains workers, by principal

    How school retains workers, by principal

    •Plans book for 20th anniversary

    One challenge many private schools face is high staff turnover.  However, that is not a problem at Dansol High School, Agidingbi, Lagos, where elaborate preparations have started to mark the school’s 20th anniversary later this year.

    Some of the programmes outlined for the celebration include a dinner during which supporters of the school would be rewarded, including workers who have stayed with the school for a long time.

    In an interview, the principal, Mr Esan Oladapo, told The Nation that the school retains most of its workers because of favourable welfare policies instated by its proprietor, Mrs Adun Akinyemiju.

    “Staff turnover, in DANSOL is relatively low, because of the welfare packages that the management has provided for the workforce, junior, intermediate and senior cadres.  There are people here that will be getting award for 20 years of meritorious service during our 20th anniversary. We have free medical services for staffers, both local and internationally-sponsored trainings, regular payment of salaries, annual increase of salaries, whether the workers are due for promotion or not, so far as you have contributed meritoriously during any session under review.

    “The organisation is like a home away from home due to the close rapport existing between the workers and the management, vis-à-vis the founders.  We work like father, mother, brother, sister so there is this cordial bond that detaching from this place to leave to another place, becomes difficult,” he said.

    Oladapo has stayed with the school for 18 years – 10 of which have been spent as principal.

    The cordial workers-management relationship is paying off for the school as Oladapo said its pupils continue to excel in public examinations – recording almost 100 per cent pass in Mathematics, English and five other subjects.  He said the school is also doing well in competitions with other schools.  The latest of the laurels the school celebrated last month was winning the gold category award for being among the top 250 schools in Africa in 2015 coordinated by the African Brand Review, a publication that reviews the performance of schools.

    The school also won the best in chemistry award in a competition organised by Lagoon Secondary School, Lekki, and came third in the debate organised by Cayley College, Agidingbi.  Aishat Bello, Dansol’s representative in the National Secondary School Mathematics Competition (Junior Category), won the first stage prize for Lagos State and would represent the state in the second stage of the competition holding this month.

    But the school is not done yet, as Oladapo promised that efforts at being on the top would be a continuous process.

    He said: “Now we have more modern instructional materials compared to the last few years. Dansol classrooms are now being equipped with e-learning facilities.  We are doing it in stages, we just finished for the SS1 and 2.  Next session we will move to the next stage. In the past too, we had just text books, in the library, but now apart from the hard copies, we now have the e-library, thereby exposing our students to the world around them, right within the confines of the classroom.”

    Activities lined up for the 20th anniversary, which Oladapo said would kick off October 9 (when the school opened to pupils) and end October 24 (when it received formal approval from the Lagos State Ministry of Education), include: speech and prize giving day; inter-house sports competition, symposium, and the launch of a book, which would detail “all that is called Dansol from inception to date on January 24.

  • Odunuga: Exit of principal

    Odunuga: Exit of principal

    Death be not proud, though some have called thee mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so. For those, whom thou think’st , thou dost overthrow, die not . Poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me.

    From rest and sleepe , which but thy pictures bee, much pressure, then from thee, much more must flow. And soonest our best men with thee doe goe, rest of their bones and souls deliverie.

    Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings and desperate men, and dost with poyson, warre, and sickness dwell, and poppie , or charmes can make us sleepe as well, and better then thy stroake ; why swell’st thou then ;

    One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally, and death shall be no more ; Death, thou shall die. “

    This sonnet by John Donne written around 1610 and first published posthumously in 1633 brings back the fond memories of my Principal at Multilateral Grammar School, Okun – Owa in Ijebu, Ogun State. Chief Oladotun Odunuga whom we, his former students fondly call Papa, passed on peacefully on Thursday, January 29, 2015 at his 9, Agbon Odumosu Street residence in Ilese – Ijebu, a town he fondly calls “a city of the black, sacred cat “ , at the age of 84.

    It is not his demise that brings about the memories of this literary giant, but his professionalism. As our Principal, he also combined the administrative job with the teaching of Literature in English. A vibrant teacher, he recited poems with a lot of drama and this particular poem was his favourite. Without any prompting, most of us, his students, memorised poems and the quotable quotes in all Williams Shakespeare books we read. No wonder many of my classmates in the Literature in English class ended up as journalists, lawyers, theatre practitioners and University lectureres, apart from the fact that the school produced professionals in all areas of science, arts, commerce and technical works.

    Papa Oladotun Odunuga who resumed duties at my school on September 1, 1975 when he was posted from Mac – Job Grammar School, Abeokuta, served my school meritoriously for seven years until his retirement on August 31, 1982.

    A thorough bred professional, a disciplined and principled mind, Papa Odunuga made his teachers to engage in extra classes after official hours and on Saturdays , at no financial cost to our parents. We were thoroughly fed with words of God and good moral upbringing. A handsome Principal and a choice dresser, Papa Odunuga like typical teachers of that time, do carry cane, like a military officer carrying a swagger stick, but hardly apply it on students.

    We all love him and respect him because our progress was uppermost in his heart. Because of his exemplary leadership, all teachers toed his line and the college did not only excel in academics but also in sports, drama, literary and debating activities. We were all made to cut grasses and do little farming, just to shape us up. He engaged labourers to use mowing machines to do the grass cutting, when what we call stubborn grasses, becomes cumbersome for us to handle.

    Many would have thought that his dedication to duty and determination to excellence in studies must be due to the fact that one of his children , Mopelola (now a top bank manager) was one of us, the final year students, when he resumed at our school. This impression was removed when he sustained the tempo throughout his tenure at Multilateral Grammar School, Okun – Owa. The result of his commitment came out with some of the students having Grade one in the West African School Cerificate examination (WASCE), after a lull in that particular grade.

    What really stands Papa Odunuga out was the fact that he was always ready to spend his personal money to advance the cause of his students. He was the one that purchased the Higher School Certificate entrance form examination at Remo Secondary School, Sagamu for this writer and he refused to accept a refund from my mother. He was instrumental into the school granting scholarship to brilliant, indigent students. He motivated a lot of us to aqquire University education as he had already stimulated us with stories about his days at University College Ibadan (now University of Ibadan) where he obtained a degree in English with History and Religious Studies awarded by London University on November 17, 1963.

    We, the Old Students, had planned to add to his numerous honour as the college clocks 50 years on March, 19, 2015 but poor death has robbed us of this much desired appreciation.

    As one bade farewell to the mentor and role model of many students, who are now great leaders in Government and private sectors, the food for thought is for our modern day Principals and teachers to imbibe from the legacy of Papa Odunuga.

    This great soul, humble and peace lovng personality, will be committed to mother earth on Wednesday , February 11, 2015 after a funeral service at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Ilese in Ijebu, Ogun State. However his legacy to humanity can never be buried as he has etched his name in gold. Adieu, Papa Odunuga. Rest in perfect peace.

    • Ogunbambo, a journalist and public affairs analyst, was a former student of Odunuga.

     

  • Traditional ruler decries arrest of staff school principal

    The traditional ruler of Okahia Community in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State, His Royal Highness, Eze Okey J. Ananaba, has condemned the leadership tussle among the six governing members of the National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN), Aba.

    Eze Ananaba, while addressing journalists in his palace, condemned the use of policemen by a faction of the institute’s governing board to arrest Mr. Chukwudi Adibe (newly appointed principal for NINLAN Staff Secondary School). The action, he said, would have brought chaos in his community if not for the intervention of some members of his community and the Aba Police Area Commander, ACP Peter Wagbara that exhibited professionalism and sound judgment on the matter.

    He said: “I am condemning the invasion of NINLAN city campus by police officers from Aba Area Command, who were led to the school to arrest the school principal by a faction of the governing board members. When they came, they were thought to be gunmen who came to abduct the principal. If not for the prompt intervention by some elders in the community, the story would have been different from what we are talking today.

    “I am a land donor and a stakeholder in the institute. We don’t want trouble in our community and cannot fold our arms to watch things go wrong in a school sited by the Federal Government in my community.

    “The reason why I called for this press conference is to call on the Federal Government and the Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, to wade into the leadership crisis in NINLAN to avoid further harassment of the institute staff by any faction of the governing board.”

    On ways to end the leadership tussle, the traditional ruler suggested complying with the Umuahia Federal High Court judgment with suit no FHC/UM/CS/84/2007, which calls for the reinstatement of Prof. Ben Elugbe to complete his tenure as the executive director of the institute to avoid contempt of the court, He added that if there were reasons why the judgment of the court would not be obeyed, the Minister for Education should send directives which everybody including the governing council members should obey.

    The Nation gathered that since the squabble among the governing council members grew out of proportion, members of the staff of the institute have continued to express worries over the development and will appreciate moves by the Federal Government to end the prolonged leadership tussle which, they said, has affected academic and administrative activities in the institute negatively.

    A member of NINLAN academic staff who spoke anonymously was optimistic that a united governing council would provide the enabling ground for an executive director that understands the institute’s mandate which is to preserve Nigerian Languages.

    The NINLAN, four years after it was proscribed and ceded to the University of Nigerian (UNN), Nsukka, by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, regained its autonomy after the Federal Government through the Ministry of Education in October 2013 reinstituted it as an independent institute; but leadership tussle has since prevented the school from hitting the ground running.

  • Outstanding principal receives lawmaker ‘s award, cash

    When the Principal of Ojodu Junior Grammar School, Ojodu, Mrs. Victoria Adebola Kolawole was using her personal resources to create a conducive learning environment for her students little did she know that her activities were being noted and that  she would be rewarded for her commitment to excellence one day.

    That day came last week Friday, when important personalities in the state gathered to honour her for the good work she has done over the years.

    The recognition award was courtesy of Lola Akande, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly (LSHOA) representing Ikeja II Constituency.

    Kolawole was given the award for ‘Dedication to duty, outstanding performance and excellence in management and administration’. Aside the plaque, Akande gave her cash award of N200,000, while other personalities gave donations amounting to N500,000. Kolawole described the award as an encouragement to her and others to do more.

    Reflecting on her action, Kolawole said all she had in mind was to change the situation in the school with whatever resources she has “because I knew the environment wasn’t conducive for learning and teaching, so I first had to change the environment.”

    “People were saying I was spending my money on a government school and I told them it is a legacy I am leaving behind, in 10 years’ time when I pass through that school I will remember that I did something.

    “My motivation is to have a conducive and high standard learning environment for the school. I decided to do it as a legacy and for posterity not necessarily for reward, but now God is rewarding me; in fact, this reward came to me as a surprise; just look at the calibre of people here,” she said.

    Praising Kolawole, Akande said: “I have attended many of her programmes and I have seen so many awards she has received like the best JSS School in the federation awarded by Federal Ministry of Education, best JSS Principal 2014 and so many others.

    “She is worth celebrating and she is excelling because she puts in everything she has into whatever she does. We are recognising her that she is doing well, that she is a woman of excellence, a woman of passion and I am trying through this gesture to inspire others, especially, teachers like her to emulate her,” Akande said.

    Wife of Lagos State governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola described Kolawole as an achiever.

    “You laboured for what you are being given today, it is your vision. We thank God that you did not join the bandwagon to do whatever you like as a civil servant. You put your spirit into it and it is commendable. You have done well and you are a total woman; continue to do more and you will achieve greater height,” she said.

    Dignitaries in attendance included  Dame Fashola; Senator Oluremi Tinubu; wife of Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mrs. Mayowa Ikuforiji; Deputy Speaker,   Kolawole Taiwo, who was chairman of the occasion; a member of House of Assembly, Sanai Agunbiade; former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Sarah Sosan and Head of Service, Oluseyi Williams.

  • Principal donates bus

    The Proprietor and Principal of Greater Tomorrow International School, (GTI) Agbaluku -Akoko, Ondo State , Mr. James Olatunbosun Lawal and his wife ,Mojisola have donated an 18-seater bus to St.Thomas Anglican Church , Ese- Ikare , Ondo State.

    The donation was in appreciation of the Olatunbosuns who were honoured with the titles-Otunba Baba Ijo and Iya Akorin of the church.

    The ex-students of Greater Tomorrow International (GTI) as well as the Parents /Teachers Association were not left out as they trooped out to honor their principal whom they fondly referred to as ‘ Uncle Lawal’.

    In his sermon, the officiating minister, Rt Reverend Gabriel Akinbiyi of Akoko North Diocese, justified the duo’s honours considering their contributions to the development of the church.

    Mr.Obajuluwa, a long time friend of the couple described them as worthy of being emulated. His words: “The couple turned this environment to international community as people from all walks of life bring their wards to this school. With GTI cited here, the Agbaluku town has grown beyond expectation”.

    The Parakoyi of Ikire, HRH Oba Okeluse, Mrs.Idowu Omolayo, described the honorees as good, loving and God-fearing. He said: “Lawal is a philanthropist; he is a very humble personality who has contributed greatly to his home town in Ikire.”

    Speaking at the occasion, Lawal thanked the church for the honour, assuring that his family would do more.

    “Now, I believe that I have more responsibilities to do for the church than before. I believe we should contribute our own quota to the development of the church because it is our first home where morals are taught,” he said.

    One of the school’s teachers who craved anonymity said: “Lawal who is fondly called ‘Uncle’ by his students has contributed immensely to the development of not only Ikire but also anywhere he finds himself. He is not arrogant. He renders selfless service to humanity, a task that many find difficult.”

  • Principal bids Lagos farewell 33 years after

    It was supposed to be her last day in office when she would be putting finishing touches to files, but for Mrs Elizabeth Moji Iwaotan, t the day turned out to be one for merry making.

    Her colleagues, friends, pupils and well-wishers held a send off party for Iwaotan, principal, Igbo-Owu Junior Secondary School, Mushin, Lagos.

    For her, it was, indeed, double celebration as the day coincided with her 60th birthday. Ihe Olaotan’s company were her amiable husband and children, including Tolulope.

    Mrs Iwaotan, who began her career as a classroom teacher in 1981 at Aguda Grammar School, retired on February. She has also worked at Atunrase Boys High School, Mushin, AUD Girls High School and Ijeshatedo Senior Grammar School as Vice Principal.

    The event, which held at the school’s uncompleted Assembly Hall, despite its dilapidated nature, was filled. There were Ewi rendition, and prayers for the celebrator. The school’s cultural group entertained guests with special songs rendered in Yoruba. Many people also wore uniformed ankara to mark the day. Edna Ogholi’s evergreen song; “Uye, I wish you a happy birthday…” blared from the the DJ’s table.

    The school’s Parent Forum Chairman, Mr Sunday Bodede, described Mrs Iwaotan as a good administrator and excellent teacher.

    He said: “She (Iwaotan) is a good mother, who cared about her children. She did not relent in her efforts for her pupils. She does her work diligently and often times worked late. She is never tired. Besides, her records are clean, including the execution of projects. She carried everyone along.”

    The school’s Vice Principal (Academics), Mrs Sile Igbikoyi, who said she had worked with Mrs Iwaotan for five years described her former boss as an ‘individual with a heart of gold.’

    “I wish her the best in life; I pray that good things will come her way; that she will continue to be happy always.

    For Mrs Iwaotan, it was also a day of joy.

    “I am happy,” she said.”I want to thank the Lagos State government for everything, including my service.”

    She also praised her husband Pastor Emmanuel Olanrewaju, whom she wedded in 1981, describing him as a pillar of support over the years.

    Will she still teach or be in the profession at another level? “No,” she said, adding: “I want to rest.”

    The high point of the event was the cutting of the birthday cake.