The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy His Excellency, Adegboyega Oyetola has been honored with the distinguished Renaissance Award of Excellence by the Ilesa Grammar School Old Students Association (ILEGSOSA).
The prestigious accolade was conferred upon HE Adegboyega oyetola at the grand finale of the weeklong 90th anniversary celebration of Ilesa Grammar School held on Saturday at Sambeatz Event Centre, Omi Asoro, Ilesa, Osun State.
Oyetola as former governor of Osun State (2018-2022) was.recognized for his remarkable reversal of the school uniform, reclassification’ of the public school system and the abolition of single-sex schools introduced in 2013 by his predecessor, Rauf Aregbesola.
In his presentation at the award ceremony, Dr. Obi Daramola, the National President of ILEGSOSA, said "Oyetola has contributed to the restoration of the dignity, honor and pride of Ilesa Grammar School. He gave us back our identify when he approved the reversal of a single uniform policy and each school in the state will revert to its former uniform identical to its students and gave us back our name Ilesa Grammar School.
"If not for the reversal we will not be here celebrating our 90th anniversary the schools merging and reclassification had eroded our identity and contributed to decaying of our infrastructure.
Aregbesola had introduced a single uniform for all the schools in the state and renamed Ilesa Grammar School as Ilesa Government High School.
Also, speaking before present the award to Dr. Charles Diji Akinola who represented HE Adegboyega Oyetola at the occasion, Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi, Asiwaju of Ijesaland described Oyetola as a friend and ally of Ijesaland for working assiduously when he was in office to get the longest dream of Ijesa people fulfilled by signing into law the University bill that established the University of Ilesa.
Oyetola in his speech delivered by Dr. Charles Diji Akinola, remarked that though he decided to accept the because he knows that ILEGSOSA body to be responsible, selfless and progressive-minded.
"It is an honour to receive an invitation as an awardee to this epoch making event marking the 90th anniversary of Ilesa Grammar School. I am particularly honoured to be selected for the RENAISSANCE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE by the old students of this great institution.
"I congratulate you all on today’s occasion and I am truly happy to share in the joy of this beautiful reunion. I also commend you for your continued interest in the growth of your alma mater and for giving back to the school.
"During our time in office, as someone who believes in the transformative power of education, I ensured that education was a strong pillar of our administration’s Development Agenda. Throughout the four years we were in government, we demonstrated our commitment to improving the education system in Osun through the tremendous interventions and reforms we carried out.
"It is pertinent to note that some of the reforms we initiated were based on the outcry by majority of Osun people and requests made by alumni associations like yours. Specifically, we had to revisit the issue of single uniform, reclassification of schools, and change of schools names among others. We took the decision to do the needful in line with the yearnings and aspirations of Osun citizens as captured in the Citizens Needs Assessment report. Therefore, the reforms we carried out under our administration was never targeted at anyone. If anything, apart from restoring confidence in the Old Students Associations, especially those who dragged us to court, like your body, the decision further helped to boost the Osun local economy as the old men and women selling school uniforms that were hitherto sent out of business bounced back.
"If we did not take the courage to take the decision back then, you may not have been able to gather in this large number to celebrate today as you may not have where to call your school.
"I am glad that while alive, history is already being kind to us. I am optimistic that our modest efforts in other sectors while in office would also be acknowledged, whether in the present or in the years to come.
"Once again, I would like to congratulate and appreciate members of this Alumni association for deeming it wise to create a medium for their colleagues to come together to impact the school that produced them.
"Distinguished invited guests, friends and well-wishers, the impressive turn-out of Alumni of the school, suggests to me that Ilesa Grammar School is functionally relevant in the education sector of Osun. I will only urge and encourage you to keep the flag flying.
"Once again, permit me to thank you for inviting me and for honouring me and wish you happy celebrations.
"May God continue to bless Osun State and ILESA GRAMMAR SCHOOL."
Dr. Charles Diji Akinola former Chief of Staff to Adegboyega Oyetola when he was in office was accompanied by Leader Kunle Odeyemi, Ijesaland APC leader, Hon. Folorunsho Oladoyin former Osun Commissionner for Education, Otunba Jumoke Ogunkeyede and APC supporters and admirers.
Photos:
All photos credit: Picxcellence
Video: Oladimeji Lasore:
Script ✍️: Oladimeji Lasore
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