Aquinas College Honours 35 Distinguished Alumni at 75th Anniversary Celebration
Aquinas College Akure has celebrated 75 years of academic and social impact with the recognition of 35 distinguished former students whose contributions have made a difference to the school, the alumni association and society at large.
The awards were presented by the Aquinas College Akure Old Students' Association, ACAOSA, during the grand finale of the institution's 75th anniversary celebration.
The week-long programme brought together old students, school management, students, parents and other members of the Aquinas College community to reflect on the institution's history while looking ahead to its future.
For a school that has spent seven and a half decades educating young Nigerians, the anniversary was more than a celebration of age. It was also an opportunity to recognise the people who have helped build the school's reputation and continued to contribute to its development long after leaving its classrooms.
35 Alumni Receive Recognition
A total of 35 alumni were honoured for their achievements and contributions to society, as well as their support for Aquinas College and the activities of the alumni association.
Among those recognised were Dr. Oyedokun Abiodun, a former Vice President of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors; Sola Adewunmi, President of ACAOSA Worldwide; Prof. Segun Ojo, Chairman of the 75th Anniversary Central Planning Committee; Col. Wilson Alade (Rtd.), Co-Chairman of the committee; and Felix Fadeni.
Other recipients included Major General Adeyemi Adetayo (Rtd.), David Fapohunda, Oluwalade Temiloluwa, Damilola Atolusi, Dr. Olaide Afelumo, Francis Oladunmoye, Charles Osuntuyi, Dr. Akinwunmi Odumankinde and football coach Adeoye Gbangba, among others.
The range of professions represented among the award recipients reflected the diverse paths taken by graduates of the institution.
From the military and professional bodies to education, sports and other areas of public life, the honourees demonstrated the different ways former students have gone on to contribute to their communities and the wider society.
A Celebration of 75 Years
The anniversary programme was designed to celebrate Aquinas College's long history while also creating opportunities for alumni and students to reconnect.
Several activities were organised throughout the week, including the commissioning of legacy projects, essay and history competitions, an inter-school debate, career guidance and mentorship sessions.
There were also alumni engagement activities and a novelty football match, giving former students an opportunity to reconnect with one another in a more relaxed setting.
The different activities ensured that the anniversary was not limited to speeches and ceremonies.
Instead, it brought together education, sports, mentorship, history and community development, creating a celebration that involved different generations of the Aquinas College family.
Alumni Urged to Do More for the School
Speaking after receiving his award, Dr. Abiodun expressed his appreciation for the recognition and used the occasion to call for even stronger collaboration between ACAOSA and the school's management.
According to him, closer cooperation between the alumni association and the college would be important in helping the institution respond to the demands of modern education.
He highlighted areas such as infrastructure and academic development, noting that alumni support could help the school improve its facilities and strengthen its academic standards.
His message was particularly relevant as schools across Nigeria face the challenge of keeping pace with changes in technology, teaching methods and the expectations of today's students.
For an institution with a 75-year history, maintaining its legacy is important, but so is ensuring that the school continues to evolve.
Investing in Current and Future Students
Dr. Abiodun also encouraged fellow alumni to invest in initiatives that would have a positive impact on students.
Alumni associations can play an important role in supporting schools.
Former students who have established themselves in different professions can contribute not only financially but also through mentorship, career guidance, professional networks and practical advice.
For current students, interacting with successful alumni can provide a clearer picture of the possibilities available to them after graduation.
A student interested in engineering, medicine, law, business, the military, sports or another career can benefit from hearing directly from someone who has already taken that path.
This was reflected in the anniversary programme through the inclusion of career guidance and mentorship sessions.
Legacy Projects Add Another Dimension
The commissioning of legacy projects was another major part of the anniversary activities.
Such projects provide a lasting reminder of an anniversary while also offering practical benefits to the school community.
Rather than simply marking the passage of time, the projects create something that students and staff can continue to use after the celebrations have ended.
This is one of the areas where alumni involvement can make a particularly strong difference.
A school celebrating 75 years can draw on the experience and resources of thousands of former students to improve its infrastructure and learning environment.
The impact of such contributions can extend well beyond the current generation of students.
Keeping the School's History Alive
The essay and history competitions organised during the anniversary also helped students engage with the institution's past.
For young people currently attending the school, understanding its history can create a stronger sense of identity and belonging.
Schools are not only places where students learn academic subjects. They also become part of their personal histories.
Many former students remember their teachers, classmates, school traditions and experiences long after graduation.
Celebrating the institution's history therefore provides an opportunity for different generations to reconnect with those shared experiences.
The anniversary's inter-school debate also gave students an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, confidence and communication skills while interacting with students from other schools.
A Stronger Connection Between Generations
One of the most valuable aspects of an anniversary celebration is the opportunity it creates for different generations to meet.
Current students get to interact with former students who once occupied the same classrooms.
Teachers and school administrators can reconnect with alumni, while older graduates can see how the institution has changed over the years.
That connection can help build a stronger school community.
It can also encourage students to understand that their relationship with the institution does not necessarily end when they receive their final certificate.
They can return later as mentors, donors, professionals, coaches or simply as members of an alumni community willing to contribute to the school's growth.
Looking Beyond the Celebration
As Aquinas College Akure marks its 75th anniversary, the recognition of 35 distinguished alumni provides an opportunity to celebrate what the institution has achieved over the decades.
However, the anniversary also raises an important question about what comes next.
The school will need to continue adapting to the changing demands of education while preserving the values and traditions that have shaped its identity.
That will require cooperation between the management, students, parents, government and alumni.
The call for stronger collaboration from Dr. Abiodun reflects this need.
A strong alumni network can provide more than financial assistance. It can serve as a bridge between the school's history and its future, connecting the experience of former students with the needs of those currently in the classroom.
75 Years and Counting
The celebration of Aquinas College Akure's 75th anniversary ultimately became a reflection of the institution's journey and the people who have been part of it.
The 35 alumni honoured during the ceremony represent just a portion of the many former students who have contributed to society in different ways.
Their recognition serves as a reminder that the true measure of a school is not only the buildings it has constructed or the number of years it has existed, but also the lives it has influenced.
As Aquinas College moves into its next chapter, the hope is that the legacy celebrated during its 75th anniversary will continue to inspire current students.
With stronger alumni involvement, continued investment in infrastructure and a commitment to modern education, the institution can build on its history while preparing the next generation for the challenges and opportunities ahead.