..at St Josephs ReUnion
Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has urged Nigerians to make education priority in their endeavours.
This is just as he described her Alma Matter, St Josepgh Secondary School,Agege as one of the best secondary schools in Nigeria.
She made the remark at the 62 Founders’Day cum reunion of old students of the school during which she was honoured with the Outstanding Ambassador Award.
Orelope who served as the chairperson of the event said the founder of the school, Pa Albert Joseph Ukana should be praised for the initiative behind the school and for his contribution to education in Nigeria.
She said he was an outstanding and selfless individual whose virtue should be emulated by Nigerians.
Orelope who is now Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Sustainable Development Goals was part of the 1978 set of the school.
She recalled her days in school pointing out that the legacy of Pa Ukana is in the lives of thousands of students that passed through the school who are doing exploits in various fields of human endeavours.
She equally prayed for more years of happiness for the Co-founder of the school, Mrs Olufadeke Adunni Ukana.
The former deputy governor acknowledged her past principal and Administrator, Mrs. Millicent Kande Jibowu whom she described as a no-nonsense person.
She said she has been a blessing to her since they reconnected.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Global President of the Association, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Ukana – Bisiriyu thanked everyone present.
She appreciated Princess Orelope-Adefulire and other dignitaries and officials of the school at the event for their support for making the reunion a reality.
She emphasised the importance of quality education in the evolution of a nation.
“What we are celebrating today is the quality education many of us got from the school. We are blessed to have attended St. Joseph Secondary School. It is one of the best schools in Nigeria. The products of this great school are a testimony of the great work of the founder and those who were there at the beginning”
She urged the government to prioritise education adding that without quality education, Nigeria will not make any meaningful progress.
The students of the school were not left out of the reunion programme as they thrilled the gathering with a series of presentations.
Orelope-Adefulire Receiving her award from the Alumni Exco
Apart from the award given to Princess Orelope-Adefulire, appreciation Awards were given to the Co-founder of the school, Mrs Olufadeke Adunni Ukana, and other Past Principals and Teachers which included Mrs. Millicent Kande Jibowu, Mrs Folayemi Akinsanmi, Mrs Mojirade Okunaiya as well as Mr. Samuel Ogunduyilemi Ogunyemi (A former English teacher who later retired as a Director in the Lagos State Ministry of education.
In his remark, the Global Secretary of the association Engr. Adeyinka Obafemi was full of gratitude to all who supported the programme.
Executives of the Old Students Association of St. Joseph Secondary School, Agege Lagos.
This year’s Founders’ Day Reunion was graced by eminent personalities from all walks of life which included Hon Akinola Bashiru, a past Governing Board Member at the National Bureau of Statistics representing the S.W. of Nigeria.
Others were the Vice Chairman of Alimosho Local Government Area, Hon. Akin. Johnson, Vice Chairman of Ipaja-Ayobo LCDA Hon. Oluwaloni, Mrs Ajoke Gbeleyi, a Retired Director of Private Education in the Lagos State Ministry of Education and a host of others.
Old students of the school in a group photograph
All Old students present led by each set’s Chairman and Secretaries took to the dancing floor to a live band rendition in the course of the programme.
St. Joseph Secondary School, Idimangoro, Agege, Lagos was established on the 12th of February, 1962 and has scaled through several hurdles to remain strong and one of the best schools around in Nigeria.
