Akeem Lasisi
Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Akinremi Bolaji, has emerged President of the Iroko Community Grammar School Old Students Association (ICGSOSA).
The iconic school established in 1966 is located on old Ibadan-Oyo Road in Oyo State.
Bolaji, a renowned international relations/business expert, who is also a Pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, was elected ICGSOSA’s President in a virtual poll in which many of the alumni participated from different parts of the world.
Announcing the result of the election held on August 10, 2024, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Mr Kolawole Oke (1974 set), said Bolaji secured all the 196 valid votes cast.
Other elected officials are: Yinka Akande (Vice President), Oluremi Bello (General Secretary), Bamidele Shin-Aba Victoria (Treasurer), Hakeem Busari, a former Commissioner of Police (Financial Secretary), Ayobami Olatunde (Welfare Secretary) and Adekunle Adejare (Social/Publicity Secretary).
With accomplished lawyer, Akeem Aponmode (1982 set), as its Secretary, other members of the Electoral Committee were Dr. Ola Adewunmi (1978), Mr. Olufemi Adedeji (1981), Mrs. Bunmi Bamiduro (1982), Princess Dele Orugun (1983), and Mr. Dele Abioye (1985).
Two other old students, Mrs. Funke Kelani and Mr Jimoh Busari, also gallantly vied for the Vice Presidentship slot that Akande won.
Oke assured members that the committee did a thorough job that could be built upon in the future. He said in a statement, “When the Electoral Committee was inaugurated, we dived into the work headlong with a commitment and determination to deliver a well organised free, fair and credible election. Being the inaugural election to usher in the first set of substantive officers in the association, we did not have the benefits of a precedent to follow. Nevertheless, we took this as a challenge, sensing that Providence had positioned us at a junction in the history of ICGSOSA. We made up our minds to lay a solid foundation in electoral process which subsequent election handlers can build upon.
“The interest which the election elicited and the high enthusiasm shown by our members was a confirmation that our efforts and sacrifices were neither misplaced nor wasted. Today, we are happy that the entire process has come to an end. We are proud of the hard work we put into it and the result we have achieved. In this election, we set rules and we followed them. We were thorough and we gave ample opportunity for the voice of everyone to be heard.”
President of the Interim Executive Committee of the alumni body, Professor Akin Alao, has also expressed delight at the progress the successful election symbolised for the association and the school in general.
The Professor of History at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, commended the electoral committee while also enjoining those who could not yet make the executive to look at the future with a bigger hope and love.
He said in a statement: “The Interim Executive Committee of our Association met virtually this evening and resolved to issue the following statements.
“The Electoral Committee, made up of some of the best brains and minds among us, has delivered on its mandate to conduct free, fair, and credible elections into the various offices of the Association. We commend their efforts and appreciate their individual and collective efforts to produce a result that is not only credible but impressive. We affirm our belief and faith in the results of the elections l credible and devoid of external manipulation. The process adopted for the conduct of the elections conforms with international best practices. We are ever so proud of the fairness of the rules, the integrity of the methods and processes, and the transparency of the conduct of polls.
“We recognise and applaud the vibrancy of the campaigns, the interest they generated, and the excitement that followed. Many of us came out in our best political traditions to contribute to the excitement. The elections have brought out the best in us as committed members of the Old Students Association. We have had the best opportunity to confirm our readiness to act well our part.
“We congratulate those who emerged as holders of various offices. We rejoice with them and enjoin them to be magnanimous in victory. Their election is a call to duty, and we believe that they will not disappoint. To those who contested or would have contested, we believe that it is simply not yet their time to serve. We commend their gallant and indisputable willingness to offer themselves for service for the greater glory of our alma mater. The true test of your commitment is your availability and willingness to serve the Old Students Association in other positions.”
With the emergence of the substantive executive, the old students and other stakeholders would expect further development in the school which, like many of its old counterparts, has suffered startling retrogression especially in terms of infrastructural decay. The school, which used to command inspiring infrastructure in every department, has seen many of its buildings collapse. A force to reckon with even in sports, especially during the sensational and fertile old Principal’s Cup competition, it used to boast top-rated professional teachers, with some coming from other countries such as India and Togo. Iroko Community Grammar School, whose motto is ‘Act Well your Part’, was a symbol of Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity as it attracted students from different parts of the country. Now, the coming on stream of the Bolaji-led executive is calculated to be a catalyst for its revival, as IROGRAMS flaunts many alumni who are accomplished in different fields and who are eager to give back to their alma mater, in fulfilment of the Yoruba proverb that says, B’ókèté bá dàgbà tán, ọmú ọmọ rẹ̀ níí mú, meaning, at old age, the big rat relies on its children’s breast milk.
Interestingly, the alumni, through ICGSOSA and various sets, have been giving back to the school. Some facilities have been (re)built by them over the years, while they have also reached out to the school management, intervening financially on some occasions. However, the gap on ground at the institution is still wide, needing more concerted efforts to cover. That is why stakeholders will be looking forward to what Bolaji and his team will inspire, with the cooperation of the other alumni. The unanimity in pushing him forward as President, of course, shows that there is a consensus that he is capable of moving mountains while he will also not be starved of support by the members.
As is widely recognised, Ambassador Akinremi Bolaji, who has always been very resourceful since when he was a student at ICGS, is “a renowned expert with decades of experience in promoting economic development and trade relations between Nigeria and the rest of the world. His expertise and vision have helped Nigeria to attract billions of dollars in foreign investment and establish partnerships with some of the world’s leading economies.
“Ambassador Bolaji has also been instrumental in advancing Nigeria’s economic interests on the global stage. He has represented the country in numerous international fora and negotiations, including the World Trade Organisation and the United Nations. His outstanding leadership and negotiating skills have earned him the respect and admiration of his peers and colleagues. But Ambassador Bolaji’s achievements go beyond his professional accomplishments. He is also a dedicated public servant who is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of his fellow citizens. He has initiated and supported several social programs and projects that have helped to improve the living conditions of people across Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, the incoming President, who was last year celebrated on African Peace Magazine UK cover, which saluted him as a trailblazer in economic development, is just one of the numerous heroes that IROGRAMS has produced.
