By Ebele Orakpo

The One-Day Principal of An-sar-Ud-Deen Girls’ High School Itire, Lagos, Anifowoshe Boluwatife Afsoh, has urged students to prioritize discipline, hard work, and thorough preparation in order to achieve personal and academic success. She made the call during the 2025/2026 One-Day Principal and leadership grooming celebration in the school.

Assuming full symbolic leadership of the school for the day, Thursday, May 14, 2026, the One-Day Principal outlined her duties alongside her team. Her cabinet included Ms. Ojo Radia (One-Day Vice-Principal, Administration), Ms. Adeyemi Mariam (One-Day Vice-Principal, Academic), and Ms. Hamza Saheedah (One-Day Secretary).
“Today, I will monitor school activities, visit classrooms to observe lessons, and review registers and lesson notes,” Anifowoshe said. “I am also proud to commission the school’s newly renovated mosque, library, and solar energy system.”

To her peers, she said: “Do your best and leave the rest, because Prior Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance.” She encouraged the students to embrace honesty, respect, and hard work, noting that today’s decisions shape the future. Their roles highlighted the school’s commitment to preparing young girls for leadership, teamwork, and public responsibility.

While fielding questions from journalists, the school’s substantive Principal, Alhaja Sherifat B. Mohammed, stated that the One-Day Principal event was launched in 2021 and was inspired by the One-Day Governor initiative introduced by the then Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Alhaja Mohammed previously pioneered the One-Day Principal programme at Agidingbi Junior High School while working in the public school system. Upon transitioning to the private sector, she decided to continue the tradition.
“We must intentionally train our children today so they can become the good and effective leaders of tomorrow,” she said.
She described the selection process as rigorous, saying the One Day Committee members look out for academically and morally sound students.
According to her, students first excel in written exams, then, officials secretly monitor them for a month in classrooms and hostels. The committee seeks focused, disciplined students with integrity, defined goals, and a natural, commanding presence in the classroom—those who lead and guide their peers through respect rather than force.
“All the students chosen for these leadership roles—including the Student Representative Council—are highly focused, disciplined, and possess strong integrity. They have clear, well-informed goals for their personal futures and for the growth of our school. These are the values we instill in them, and their performance has been excellent. Even after graduation, they will carry these leadership traits into the wider world,” she said.
Anifowoshe and her team expressed gratitude for the opportunity and pledged to be role models for their peers.
The proud father of the One day Principal, Mr. Razaq Anifowoshe, a Deputy Director of Corporate Affairs and Brand Management at Lagos Water Corporation called the event a milestone, while passionately urging parents to invest in education despite the economic struggles, promising that their sacrifices will yield rewards in future.
The event, an annual leadership grooming programme of the school, had in attendance parents, alumni, students, and key education stakeholders.

Photo caption:
Front row – The One Day Leaders; 2nd row, 1st right, Alhaja Sherifat Mohammed, Principal, Ansar Ud Deen Girls’High School and others during the One Day principal celebration at the Ansar Ud Deen Girls’High School, Itire lagos, last week.