It was about bringing back forty years and recalling the nostalgia and reviewing the memories of those good old days.
Creating the serene childhood environment, talking about the discipline amongst the teachers and the highly revered seniors, chatting about the fun at social gatherings, Principal cup competition/sporting events and other naughty events over the years.
It was a mix emotion gathering at Oteju hall in Ikorodu ultra modern town hall on the 25th of June 2022, as Oriwu college old students association (OCOSA) set-82 converged for a special tribute and award night to pay respect to the bunch that has produced some of the brightest personalities across the division.
With affluent former alumni like Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe and Basorun Babatunde Rotinwa in attendance, the climate was about conveying the innocence love and swapping lost acquaintances.
The reunion gathering, aimed at strengthening cooperation amongst the old set and solidifying their base of moral, social and economic interactions was indeed well justified.
In an opening remarks by Sir. David Sunmoni (chairman of the occasion), he stated that the occasion is meant to remember classmates and Teachers that have answered the glorious call.
Sunmomi continued, “Many memorable things have happened since they were called to the great beyond, so many things to share with them had they been left to still be with us and now on this reunion day. But the good news is, though absent, they are always near, still missed and fondly remembered”.
“This occasion is specifically organised to give back to our school and also recognise our mentors and teachers whom we were so advantageous to have met in the course of our sojourn in life, the discipline and education we had from them moulded us to what we’re today”.
“The period of adolescence is very critical in the formation of a child’s destiny and the ones we had in this college through these Distinguished Personalities cited Positively in our lives making us successful men and women in our various endeavours”.
Highlight of the ceremony saw a Posthumous Award presentation to Pa. Ebenezer Olu Okuyiga, Principal and Pa. Teslim Badmus, Pa. Samuel Adesipo.
Life-Moulder Award was also presented to Pa Joshua Adedeji Kaiyewu, Chief Mrs. Elizabeth Lawanson, Lady Evangelist Winifred Dele Oshunfowora, Elder Sabitiyu Akinniranye.
Executive chairman, Ikorodu local government, Hon. Wasiu Adesina received an award of Excellence for his contributions and devotion to the continuous growth of the both the college and the LGA. Other award recipients are Mr Olanrewaju Hermann, Adedare Adenuga and Mr. Jude N. Egbokwu
Master AbdulAzeez Abdulrahmon, present senior college student of Oriwu who won the 2022 Lagos state spelling bees competition and functioned as a one day governor was also hosted and gifted with cash price and acquainted with the old students for been an ambassador of the school in recent times.
Olanrewaju Hermann, chairman of the planning committee urged everyone to exploit the opportunity presented before them and make the best of it.
He continued, “We have given our widows mite to the school as a form of our contribution to the development of the school and welfare of students”.
“This medium is to appreciate our living legends as well as our distinguished mates who are contributing to the Success of this Association and welfare of members”.
“I would like to appreciate the effort of everyone in the development of our Association and admonish all to interact freely with hope of making judicious use of this unique meeting to further strengthen us individually and collectively” Olanrewaju surmised
Oriwu College was established in May 1949. Students in Ikorodu Division usually go out of Ikorodu for secondary education. The college was found to cater for the secondary educational needs of the community.
It was first operated at Benson Estate, and later at Ahaii Gafar Andu’s house along Ireshe Road, Ikorodu. It got to its permanent sit in the 50s.
On the 6 of June 2000, a plaque was unveiled by His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu former Governor of Lagos State, commissioning new facilities and facilities and renaming Oriwu College as Oriwu Model College, Ikorodu.
The School was split into Junior and Senior Secondary School on January 6, 2003. Since then, the school has registered 61,300 students and produced thousands of eminent successful Nigerians from all walks of life.