For students of the Oranyan Grammar School, Sabo, Oyo, champion of the maiden edition of the under-13 Ajumose soccer tournament, they got what they didn’t bargain for last Sunday.
The school defeated Lagelu Grammar School, Agugu, Ibadan, at the finals which took place at the Lekan Salami stadium.
To reach the finals, it defeated schools in Oyo zone at the preliminary stage after which he defeated representatives of Kajola and Ogbomoso zone.
In order to celebrate the young lads and encourage those coming behind them, as well as a female student of the school, Bolaji Esther, who came fourth together with others from Oyo State, in a national marathon race, the 1980 alumni set of the school held a dinner in their honour.
At the event which held inside Plaza De Aruna Hotel, Eleekara, Oyo, speakers which included a former governorship aspirant under the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Dr Yunus Akintunde, the principal of school 2, Pastor Adekunle Mathew Adebisi, and other eminent alumni took turns to mentor the students.
Speaking after his other colleagues have spoken, an obviously-elated advised the students to take their studies seriously.
Explaining that education opens doors of many opportunities, Akintunde, who is the first Ph.D holder in energy and environment studies, recalled how the presence of Professor Tunde Malik, who delivered the valedictory service lecture of the school, motivated him.
“In 1980, during our valedictory service, Professor Tunde Malik of the University of Imam, UI, an old student of Oranyan Grammar School, delivered the lecture. That day, I made up my mind that if the man, who hails from Ilero, can go to UI, I will also get a Ph.D in UI. Don’t relent; go ahead. Everything I have achieved, education prepared me for them. It is good to excel, just like you have done in the just concluded football tournament, education is key. Be focused and with God, the sky is the beginning,” he added.
The principal, who spoke earlier, said he was elated that the feat happened during his administration. He thanked the alumni for the honour.
The students and officials were later presented with a new set of football jersey as well as N5000 each.
This is just as the alumni promised to continue to assist them as well as rally other alumni to uplift their alma mater.
