The Ilesa Grammar School Old Students Association (ILEGSOSA) on Saturday recorded a historic transition in leadership as Sir Engr. (Dr.) Obisesan Daramola formally handed over to Dr. Wale Bolorunduro as the new National President of the Association during its 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the newly completed ILEGSOSA National Secretariat within Ilesa Grammar School, Ilesa.
The AGM, conducted in a hybrid format with physical and virtual participation by members across Nigeria and the Diaspora, marked the end of Daramola’s 61-month tenure and the beginning of a new administration under Bolorunduro for the 2026–2029 term.
The event also celebrated what members described as an era of restoration, rehabilitation, infrastructural development, and renewed unity within the alumni association.
Among eminent personalities present at the meeting was Rt. Hon. Justice Olajumoke Daramola, wife of the outgoing National President.
Proceedings commenced with opening prayers and rendition of the National Anthem and the Ilesa Grammar School anthem before the adoption of the AGM agenda and consideration of the minutes of the 2025 Annual General Meeting.
Reports presented during the meeting included those of the National President, Treasurer/Financial Secretary, and Auditor, after which members deliberated extensively before formally dissolving the 2023–2026 National Executive Council.
The National Electoral Committee subsequently took charge of proceedings, declaring the results of the election conducted for new officers of the Association.
Dr. Wale Bolorunduro — National President
Olu Adewale — National Vice President
Dr. Abiodun Ogunniyi — National General Secretary
Suara Rafiu Akanni — National Financial Secretary
Atoki Jacob Oladapo — National Treasurer
Jacob Idowu Awolusi — National Publicity and Mobilisation Secretary
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The newly elected National Executive Council members were thereafter presented to the General Assembly and issued Certificates of Return before taking the oath of office administered by the National Legal Adviser.
In his valedictory address, Daramola reflected on his emergence as National President in April 2021 shortly after the restoration of Ilesa Grammar School by the Osun State Government following its controversial scrapping in 2017.
According to him, the school returned in October 2020 in a deplorable condition after years of abandonment, with buildings deteriorated and the environment overtaken by weeds.
He paid glowing tribute to the late former National President, Oba Doyin Adelekun, for leading the struggle against the phasing out of the school, stating that although the legal battle was lost, “the moral victory remained with us.”
Daramola disclosed that Old Students across various sets, branches, and diaspora groups had invested well over half a billion naira in rehabilitation, reconstruction, academic interventions, sporting development, and infrastructural renewal projects within the school since its restoration.
Among the projects highlighted was the completion of the fence surrounding the school premises.
The outgoing President explained that portions of the school boundary had remained exposed for years, creating security concerns and enabling encroachment by trespassers and grazing animals.
To address the challenge, the National Body launched a fencing project covering over 600 metres, with sponsorship support from groups and individuals including the Old Students in Diaspora (OSID), the 1985 Set, Prof. Sola Adeyeye, the 1964/68 Set, Oba-elect Dr. Kunle Hassan, the 1978/82 Set, and late Prof. Siyan Malomo.
He also acknowledged Senator Francis Fadahunsi for earlier installing protective poles and chains along the school frontage before the road expansion project displaced them.
Another major milestone celebrated during the AGM was the completion of the Association’s permanent National Secretariat, known as the “Legacy Project.”
Daramola explained that the project was conceived shortly after the current Executive assumed office in 2021 to provide a befitting administrative structure for the Association.
According to him, the project received a breakthrough during preparations for the school’s 90th Founder’s Day Anniversary in 2023 when members of the Association visited Enoch Adeboye, who later donated ₦50 million toward the construction project after initially being informed that the estimated cost was about ₦40 million.
He added that although the Executive initially resolved to name the building after Pastor Adeboye, the cleric requested that it instead be named after his set, the 1956/60 Set.
Daramola also revisited the internal crisis that trailed the 2021 AGM following disagreements over constitutional interpretations and eligibility issues involving the late Oba Adelekun.
He commended respected elders and stakeholders whose interventions restored calm within the Association and paved the way for renewed unity.
The outgoing President further described the successful celebration of the school’s 90th Founder’s Day Anniversary in 2024 as a defining moment in the history of the Association, noting that the weeklong programme united Old Students globally and erased lingering divisions within the body.
He particularly commended the planning committee chaired by Dr. Wale Bolorunduro for delivering what he described as an exceptionally successful celebration.
In his acceptance speech shortly after taking over leadership, the new National President, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro, pledged to prioritize reconciliation, unity, infrastructural development, institutional stability, and academic excellence within both the Association and Ilesa Grammar School.
Bolorunduro described the months preceding the election as turbulent but thanked God for the successful completion of the process.
He commended the outgoing Executive Council led by Daramola for successfully steering the Association through the transition period and praised the Electoral Committee chaired by Dr. (Engr.) Jebutu for conducting what he described as a transparent and credible election.
According to him, the introduction of electronic voting marked a major milestone in the history of ILEGSOSA by improving participation, transparency, and credibility.
Reflecting on controversies that trailed the election, Bolorunduro stated that issues external to the Association nearly created divisions among members but expressed satisfaction that the situation did not derail the electoral process.
He emphasized that his emergence with an 84 percent affirmation vote reflected the confidence reposed in him by Old Students across the globe.
“This victory belongs to Ilesa Grammar School,” he declared, assuring members that he would not betray the trust placed in him.
The new President stressed the need to strengthen collaboration, mutual respect, and independence among class sets, regional branches, and organs of the Association in line with the vision of the founding fathers of ILEGSOSA.
He also pledged to work closely with school management and stakeholders to restore discipline, maintain infrastructure, and strengthen academic excellence within Ilesa Grammar School.
Bolorunduro revealed that reconciliation efforts had already commenced, adding that he had personally reached out to aggrieved stakeholders in pursuit of healing and unity within the alumni body.
As part of the reconciliation process, he announced plans to establish an independent reconciliation committee made up of eminent alumni to engage dissatisfied members and strengthen cohesion within the Association.
The new President further reflected on his role during the period of the attempted name change of the school, stating that he stood firmly with others to defend the identity and legacy of Ilesa Grammar School despite personal and political pressures.
He warned that the name and identity of the school must never again be altered, recalling that the institution’s name had been changed twice in the past.
Bolorunduro concluded by calling on all Old Students to reject bitterness, division, and campaigns of calumny while urging members to unite for the continued growth and progress of both ILEGSOSA and Ilesa Grammar School.
The AGM ended with renewed optimism among members as the Association celebrated both the achievements of the outgoing administration and the vision of the new leadership.
More Photos: (Coverage, Script ✍️ Camera 📸 Credit Oladimeji Lasore +2347035105413, [email protected])
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