The Anwar-Ul Islam Model College (formerly Ahmadiyya College) Old Boys Association, Agege (ACAOSA), Lagos has rolled out the drums for a retired principal of the school, Alhaji Jimoh Adisa Gbadamosi, with the launch of an endowment fund for a yearly symposium in his honour. The event was held at Eko FM, Ikeja, Lagos.
President-General ACAOSA, Alhaji Lawal Pedro (SAN), said the symposium is a bi-yearly programme to honour Gbadamosi, who turned 95 on March 18. He described the retired principal as a mentor, role model and disciplinarian, โโwho never joked with our educationโโ.
He said years after they left the school, Gbadamosi was still in โtouch with usโ. โHe was the first person to call me after I was conferred with the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) title,โ Pedro, a former Permanent Secretary/Solicitor-General, Lagos State, recalled. He enjoined his colleagues to donate generously to the fund to keep alive the legacies of Pa. Gbadamosi.
Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Musiliu Adeola Smith, a retired Inspector-General of Police (IGP), described the event as a landmark โbecause we are honouring an icon, a role model and shining example to humanity. We see Pa Gbadamosi as our father. He came to the school in 1960โโ. Smith, who was represented by Mr. Ajibade Braimoh, praised ACAOSA for Gbadamosi celebrating โโa hero in his life timeโ.
Guest speaker, Prof Muritala Bidmos described Pa Gbadamosi as education personified. โWe know his role in education in Lagos and Nigeria,โ he said.
Bidmos, former Dean of Art, University of Lagos (UNILAG), commended the eventโs theme, โThe role of education in nation-buildingโ.
โโI appreciate it,โ he added. But faulted the countryโs education system, saying: โItโs for self-actualisation. It doesnโt give room for development. Today, people talk about restructuring the nation. Tell them to stop that. Rather, they should restructure the education system.โโ
Also, Prof Khalid Adekoya of UNILAG noted that Gbadamosi is an epitome of discipline, punctuality, thoroughness, honesty, and mentoring. Adekoya asked: โWhere did we get it wrong with our education system? How many of us did not go to this event on time? If we have taken education seriously, we will not be where we are today. Many first class graduates are no longer willing to remain in the university because the varsityโs conditions of service do not appeal to them.โโ
Dr. Ola Ogunjobi described the problems in the education system as โseriousโ. โGo to the universities and see the level of rot. There is a need to redesign the curriculum and address the problems. Do not listen to what the politicians are doing to divide us. To develop or have an egalitarian society, we need to bridge the gap between the rich and poor,โโ he said.
Representative of Prof. Wahab Elias, Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC, Academic), Lagos State University, (LASU), Dr. Adedeji Oyenuga, said: โWe change our education system, but we do not drive the change. You donโt change for changeโs sake. Education is for life. Why change from UBE to 6-3-3-4 and then to 9-3-3 system? Whatโs wrong with each system?โโ
He condemned the placing of more value on money over education as shown by Reality Shows like BBNaija.
He said: โThis yearโs winner will get N100 million for playing and having fun for 90 days. How much does a professor earn? Students should be made to know the essence of education. Our socialisation system must change.โโ (Nation)