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, ‘’who never joked with our education’’.
He said years after they left the school, Gbadamosi was still in “touch with us”. “He was the first person to call me after I was conferred with the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) title,” 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 “because 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 1960’’. Smith, who was represented by Mr. Ajibade Braimoh, praised ACAOSA for Gbadamosi celebrating ‘’a hero in his life time”.
Guest speaker, Prof Muritala Bidmos described Pa Gbadamosi as education personified. “We know his role in education in Lagos and Nigeria,” he said.
Bidmos, former Dean of Art, University of Lagos (UNILAG), commended the event’s theme, “The role of education in nation-building”.
‘’I appreciate it,” he added. But faulted the country’s education system, saying: “It’s for self-actualisation. It doesn’t give room for development. Today, people talk about restructuring the nation. Tell them to stop that. Rather, they should restructure the education system.’’
Also, Prof Khalid Adekoya of UNILAG noted that Gbadamosi is an epitome of discipline, punctuality, thoroughness, honesty, and mentoring. Adekoya asked: “Where 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 varsity’s conditions of service do not appeal to them.’’
Dr. Ola Ogunjobi described the problems in the education system as “serious”. “Go 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,’’ he said.
Representative of Prof. Wahab Elias, Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC, Academic), Lagos State University, (LASU), Dr. Adedeji Oyenuga, said: “We change our education system, but we do not drive the change. You don’t change for change’s sake. Education is for life. Why change from UBE to 6-3-3-4 and then to 9-3-3 system? What’s wrong with each system?’’
He condemned the placing of more value on money over education as shown by Reality Shows like BBNaija.
He said: “This year’s 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.’’ (Nation)