Prof Omole Chairs LAUTECH Governing Council

A former National Vice-President of the Ilesa Grammar School Old Students’ Association, Professor Titus Adebowale Omole has been appointed Chairman, Governing Council of the Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho.

A statement jointly released by the two owner states of Osun and Oyo says, Prof. Omole, in accordance with the LAUTECH Edict of 1990 as amended, will work alongside three (3) representatives each from the two states. Representing the State of Osun are Prof. Richard Olaniyan, Prof. O. O. Ladipo and Prof. Moses Awogbade while Barr. Are Abdul-Salam, Dr Wale Okediran and Chief Adeniyi Akintola SAN will represent Oyo State.

The representatives of the owner states will be joined by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Gbadegesin Adeniyi Sulaimon, Deputy Vice Chancellor, 3 persons appointed by the Senate, 2 persons appointed by the congregation, 1 person to be appointed by the Alumni Association, Permanent Secretaries in charge of Education and Finance for the owner states while the Institution's Registrar will be Secretary of the Council.

A prominent member of the famous Ilegrams Club 56-60 featuring the likes of Pastor E. A. Adeboye, Barrister Tunde Olojo, Dr. M. M. Omole amongst others, Professor Omole was listed in the Ilesa Grammar School Roll of Honour in 1994 and was the first alumnus Vice-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (1991 – 1999).

At Ilesa Grammar School Old Students’ Association, we congratulate Prof. Omole for yet another opportunity to serve mankind.

ODEYEMI, Temitayo Isaac
National Publicity Secretary
(07065260752, 08075211829)

The burial ceremony of one of Ilegrams finest products who made an appreciable impact in the nation’s judiciary holds this week. Justice Emmanuel Oseloka Nnanyelugo Araka, who bore the traditional title of Nnayelugo will be buried in his hometown on April 13 after a valedictory court session at Onitsha High Court on Friday April 12. Justice Araka died in his hometown at Onitsha Anambra State on January 21 at the age of 87, the same age his contemporary and another reputable product of Ilegrams, Justice Kayode Esho passed on in November 2012.

Justice Araka was a well-known jurist, whose judgments affected many lives and expounded the nation’s jurisprudence especially in property and constitutional law. Apart from his legal sagacity and erudition in the courts, Justice Araka was one of the few Nigerian lawyers that put in 62 years of distinguished post-call. Araka was born in Agbo town in present day Delta State in 1925. His father was the headmaster of an Elementary School. The father was transferred to Isele-Uku Government School, also in the then Asaba Division of the then Western Region of Nigeria. A headmaster then belonged to the burgeoning upper class of the colonial society. He attended Hope Waddell Training Institute, Calabar, where he was taught mathematics by the renowned “Teacher Nwanjoku”, who later became professor of Botany and later pioneer Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Eni Njoku made first class honours in Botany in a top British University. However, Araka wrote his school certificate at Ilesa Grammar School with the likes of Justice Kayode Eso, Ambassador Haastrup (lawyer and diplomat), Dr. F.A. Ajayi, SAN, (the first Nigerian to make first class in law at the University of London). They all made division 1 grade in West African Examinations Council (WAEC) with Araka making A1 in both General Mathematics and Advanced Mathematics. He worked briefly in the Customs and Excise Department in 1946 before going to Ireland later in the year to study law at the Prestigious Trinity College, Dublin. That was the same school eminent Nigerian jurists like Justice Kayode Eso, Justice Udo Udoma, Dr. Jaja Wachukwu, etc attended.

After being enrolled to practice law in Nigeria in March 1951, he set up shop in his home town, Onitsha, but with practice extending to all major towns in Eastern Nigeria and beyond. In 1963, he was admitted to the inner bar, as a Queens Counsel (equivalent of SAN) at 12 years post-call. He was a member of the House of Representatives representing Onitsha Urban after the resignation of the eminent mathematician, Professor Chike Obi. He was enjoying his practice when the civil war came with all its distractions. He was detained by the Biafran authorities and released after the war. In 1972, he was sworn in as a Judge of the High Court of East Central State. In 1978, he was sworn in as Chief Judge of Anambra State. He held the office admirably until March 1985 when he retired. He was conferred with the honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) by President Shehu Shagari.

As a judge, several cases he handled stand out. His legal mind was legendary and always a point of reference. Some of the landmark cases he decided include that of Chief Jim Nwobodo versus Chief Onoh, Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe versus FEDECO on payment of tax, Chief Micheal Ajasin versus Chief Akin Omoboriowo among others. Record showed that he was only the fourth Nigerian lawyer that had achieved the remarkable feat of reaching 60 years post- call. Before him was late Chief FRA Williams SAN QC, who was called to Bar in 1943 and had the final court session in 2005 after 62 years of active battle in the court room, then the late Chief Theophilus Sobawale Benson, who made 61 years post-call in 2008 having been called to Bar in 1947 and died in 2008, the ultimate solicitor, Chief Chris Ogunbanjo joined the rank in 2010, having been called to Bar in August 1950. He is survived by eleven children and 14 grandchildren among other relatives.

The New National Officers

At the Extra-Ordinary General Meeting of the Ilesa Grammar School Old Students' Association held on Saturday 30th March 2013, a new national executive was elected as follows:

Rtd Honourable Justice S.M.A Belgore      -              President
HRH (Engr) Adedoyin Adelekun               -              Vice President
Dr Bolupe Awe                                      -              National Secretary
Mr. Adesola Adenipekun                         -              Assistant Secretary
Oba Bode Pariola                                     -              National Treasurer
Pastor Lase Odeyemi                               -              Financial Secretary
Mr Jegede Oladapo                                   -              Auditor
Mr. Temitayo Isaac Odeyemi                      -              Publicity and Social 
 
The new National Executive is to serve for two years.

The need for all old students of Ilesa Grammar School to rally round the school in lifting it from its present state to a level befitting its status has again been emphasized. This was one of the resolutions of the Extra-Ordinary General Meeting of the Ilesa Grammar School Old Students’ Association which held today at Ilesa Grammar School. The event attracted several old students of the school cutting across several generations from the 1940s to 2012. Highlights of the occasion include the election of a new set of Executive Committee to steer the affairs of the national body for the next two years. A former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Retired Honourable Justice S.M.A Belgore was unanimously elected as National President. Other members of the new Executive Committee are His Royal Highness Loja (Engr) Adedoyin Adelekun (Vice President), Dr Bolupe Awe (National Secretary), Mr. Adesola Adenipekun (Assistant Secretary), Oba Olabode Pariola (National Treasurer) and Pastor Lase Odeyemi (Financial Secretary). Mr Jegede Oladapo is to serve as Auditor while Mr. Temitayo Isaac Odeyemi is the Publicity and Social Secretary. In his acceptance speech, Justice Belgore pledged his total commitment to the good cause of the school while promising that the new ExCo would work hard in taking our dear Alma Mater to greater heights especially as the school prepares for its 80th Anniversary next year. Among several old students who graced the meeting, the first of its kind in eight years, are ex-President Engineer Olu Olowookere, Chief Bamidele Aiku SAN, Chief Folorunsho Labeodan, Chief Banjo Fasuyi, Otunba Olajumoke Ogunkeyede, Professor Olurotimi Tayo, Professor E. T. Ayodele, Professor B.O. Agbeja, Reverend Joshua Adejuyigbe, Sir Isaac Ajayi, Chief Dipo Fadahunsi and several others. NEW NATIONAL EXECUTIVE Rtd Honourable Justice S.M.A Belgore - President HRH (Engr) Adedoyin Adelekun - Vice President Dr Bolupe Awe - National Secretary Mr. Adesola Adenipekun - Assistant Secretary Oba Bode Pariola - National Treasurer Pastor Lase Odeyemi - Financial Secretary Mr Jegede Oladapo - Auditor Mr. Temitayo Isaac Odeyemi - Publicity and Social Secretary.

Event Pictures



Science block repainted


New School bus


School Hall remodeling