By Bashir Adefaka

Old students of Ekiti Parapo College, Ido Ekiti (EPCOSA) have inaugurated a four-point developmental road map for their alma mater, which will focus on the need to promote, sustain and preserve the socio-cultural legacies of the 60-year historic institution.

President of the College’s Old Students Association, Ogbeni Lanre Adesuyi, made the intentions of the Association known at a press briefing held in Lagos to announce the 60th anniversary celebration of the College.

“Our abiding faith in the shining future of our alma mater has prompted us to institute a plan to celebrate the coming of age of our great College. The celebration of EKPACO’s Diamond Jubilee will hold from November 24 – 30, 2014 on the College premises in Ido Ekiti. At 60, Ekiti Parapo College is worthy of a gift from all of us because we all cherish our time in the College,” he said.

EKITI PARAPO COLLEGE @ 60 (L – R): Member, Ekiti Parapo College, Ido Ekiti Old Students Association, Chief Michael Olorunfemi; President, Ogbeni Lanre Adesuyi and Treasurer, Comrade Sola Ogunsina, at the press conference on the college’s 60th anniversary held in Lagos.

Adesuyi stressed that the anniversary, which derived its theme “Celebrating the Past, Consolidating the Present, Building the Future” from the lessons of history, will among other things help to foster existing good relationships amongst members of the Old Students Association in accordance with the school’s motto ‘Agbajopo Owo’.

He further explained that the four-point objectives of the developmental plan are “to reflect on the evolution of EKPACO over 60 years; to refresh old school ties/friendships; to support the school by investing in its development and to mentor current students of the institution who are tomorrow’s leaders.”

According to him, several eminent Nigerians had visited the school over the years amongst who were: The former Military Governors of the old Western Region, the late Lt. Col. Adekunle Fajuyi and Col. Robert Adeyinka Adebayo; The Honourable Commissioner for Education of Western State, Professor F.O. Dosekun and, particularly, the Premier of the Western Region, Nigeria, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who described the College as “a very courageous and impressive effort; a monument to the foresight and self-sacrifice of the highly progressive Ekiti people.”

Whilst tracing the history of the College, Adesuyi explained that the school started with 25 pioneer students; the founding Principal and two teachers and that College was formally opened on August 5, 1954 by then Hon. Minister of Education, Western Region, Nigeria, Chief S.O. Awokoya. “Many years after the famous Ekiti Parapo or Kiriji War war, distinguished Ekiti indigenes, under the auspices of the Ekiti National Association (ENA) and Ekiti Progressive Union (EPU) had a vision to establish the first and only community secondary school owned by all the people of Ekiti.

This led to the birth of Ekiti Parapo College, which was and still is located in Ido Ekiti, the home town of prominent educationist and pioneer Principal of the school, Chief Ade Akomolafe, who I am happy to report, is alive and well at age 97,” he said, adding, “The College has had about 17 Principals since its inception.” “The first set of students wrote the West African School Certificate Examinations in November, 1958 while the most recent set of graduates wrote the Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations in 2014.

In all, the school has sent forth about 55 sets of students into the world. These hitherto young boys and girls have, today, become distinguished men and women who have made profound marks in their personal and professional callings,” he said. He used the opportunity to formally invite all old students of EKPACO at home and in the Diaspora to join in the celebration, stressing that the general re-union will not only engender building stronger relationships amongst members, but that it will provide an avenue for networking to advance professional callings just as it will be a platform for them to sow seeds of faith to uplift EKPACO and make the future of their alma mater more outstanding.