Mr. Bisi Jimbola, Pastor Adekunle Michael, Mrs. Omotosho, and Others Bag Akure High School Alumni Award
The Principal of Aquinas College, Akure, Mr. Bisi Jimbola; retired principal, Pastor Adekunle Michael Olubunmi; Mrs. Ronke Omotosho of Ogbe High School, Oda; and a host of other distinguished alumni were honoured for their exceptional contributions during and after their time at Akure High School.
These awards were part of the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the school’s founding, held on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the school premises. The event attracted notable Nigerians from various walks of life.
In an interview with journalists, Mr. Bisi Jimbola, a member of the 1982 set of Akure High School and current Principal of Aquinas College, Akure, expressed his delight at being one of the award recipients. He attributed much of his personal and professional success to the quality education and mentorship he received at Akure High School.
“What I am today is the result of the values and knowledge the school instilled in me. We were fortunate to have exceptional teachers like Ogunsuyi, Olugasa, Ejide Fayo, and others who shaped our lives,” Jimbola said.
He expressed gratitude to the leadership of the alumni association for the honour, noting that the award would serve as a morale booster for him to continue his impactful work in the education sector.
“I wrote my JAMB and my WAEC exams here at Akure High School, and I went on to study at the University of Ife. Today, I am privileged to lead one of the best schools in Ondo State. If I could achieve this, the younger generation can do even better—they just need to stay focused and know what they want to achieve,” Jimbola encouraged.
Pastor Adekunle Michael Olubunmi, an alumnus of the 1983 set, also spoke with Democrat News Magazine, describing the event as a significant milestone. He highlighted the immense contributions of Akure High School to the country, producing 41 sets of graduates who have gone on to excel in various fields of endeavour.
“We have ambassadors and other eminent personalities who passed through this school and have become important figures in life. We are here to thank God for the privilege of passing through this great institution,” Pastor Olubunmi said.
He used the opportunity to encourage the current students to focus on their studies, assuring them that with hard work, they too could become great leaders in society.
Mrs. Ronke Omotosho, another awardee, expressed her joy at reuniting with her former classmates and other alumni. She acknowledged the quality education they all received at Akure High School, which helped shape their futures.
The Grand Patron of the association, Prince Falade Lawrence Badejo, was also honoured and decorated at the event. Reflecting on his role as the first Labour Prefect of the school, he said the recognition would motivate him to continue supporting the school and its community.
In his remarks, the National President of the Akure High School Alumni Association, Mr. Olawale Adewale Olufemi, emphasized that one of the main purposes of the celebration was to showcase the fact that Akure High School has consistently produced accomplished individuals, not miscreants. He noted that the event honoured excellence, aiming to inspire the younger generation to learn from the successes of those before them.
Mr. Olufemi further announced that the association would embark on a significant project next year, aimed at constructing a befitting hall for the school, as part of its ongoing efforts to contribute to the development of the institution.