The 1984 graduates of St. Anthony’s Secondary School, Ilorin, have marked 42 years since their completion of studies at the school by celebrating their former Principal, Mr. Emmanuel Aliyu Alade.
The alumni, under the banner of SASSIOSA ’84 (St. Anthony’s Secondary School Ilorin Old Students Association, 1984 Set), rose from their meeting on Saturday, August 22, 2026, and headed to the residence of their 94-year-old former Principal for the celebratory segment of their get-together.
The old students, upon arrival at the residence of the aged and retired Principal, were received by his first daughter, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Abayomi, who led the delegation to meet their former school administrator, who admitted them to the school in 1979.
The aged Principal was visibly surprised and, at the same time, elated by the visit. Expressing his gratitude, he said, “I’m grateful and I feel great. Your good intention towards me is well appreciated.”
He then prayed for them, saying, “God will bless you. He will make you greater and protect you. God will bless your families, keep you safe and enrich you with peace of mind.”
The President of SASSIOSA ’84, Chief Mrs. Victoria Kehinde Afolayan (née Oyeyipo), spoke on behalf of her classmates, the 1984 Graduating Set. She said, “We are glad to celebrate you, sir. We thank God for giving you the grace of longevity with good health.”
Chief Mrs. Afolayan, a Chief Lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, used the occasion to inform the former Principal that St. Anthony’s Secondary School will clock 60 on February 1, 2028, adding that it would be pleasing to all to see him attend the occasion.
Other members of the visiting delegation were Mr. Benjamin Oluwole Oyinbo, a businessman and hotelier; Mrs. Julianah Iyabo Agunnana (née Akoja); and Ms. Grace Motunrayo Adebayo.
The aged Principal gave a demonstration of how he used to coordinate students on the assembly ground and how he normally inspected classrooms during lessons. He also recalled some of the old teachers who served with him before he was transferred to Fatima Community College, Ekan-Meje.
SASSIOSA ’84 presented their former Principal with a cash gift of N100,000 and a giant portrait of him. It was also noted that the wine-coloured complete native attire worn by the retired Principal was a gift from the old students. They sang, joked, wined and dined together with their former Principal to conclude the celebratory visit.
Born on May 6, 1932, in Babanla, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Pa Emmanuel Aliyu Alade began his primary school education at Komenda Basic School, Ghana, and attended Achimota School, Ghana, for his secondary education.
He undertook a Sixth Form course between 1954 and 1958, leading to the award of the Cambridge School Certificate. In 1960, he was awarded the Cambridge Overseas Certificate. He then proceeded to Winnabba College of Advanced Training in Teaching between 1959 and 1964, where he obtained a Teacher’s Certificate. He furthered his studies at the University of Ghana, Legon, where he graduated with a B.A. (Hons.) in English in 1969.
Pa Alade is a professional teacher and an excellent school administrator. His working experience cuts across various levels of teaching, educational administration and transformation. He taught in three secondary schools in Ghana before returning to Nigeria in 1973.
He was posted to Titcombe College, Egbe, now in Kogi State, as a classroom teacher from 1973 to 1974. He was subsequently made Vice-Principal of Ochanja Secondary School, Kogi State, from 1974 to 1975.
He was Vice-Principal of St. Clare’s Grammar School, Offa, Kwara State, from 1975 to 1976, before being elevated to the position of Principal at St. Anthony’s Secondary School, Ilorin, Kwara State, from 1977 to 1981.
He was the school’s third Principal, after Rev. Sr. M. K. Margaret (ND) and Rev. Fr. Martin Comboy (SMA), making him the first Nigerian to be appointed Principal of the school.
In 1981, he was transferred to Fatima Community College, Ekan-Meje, Kwara State, as Principal, where he spent seven years before retiring after 15 years of meritorious, sacrificial, selfless and impactful service in the public education sector of Nigeria.
A man not given to laziness, Pa Alade remained engaged in active teaching service in private educational establishments for about 19 years after his retirement, rather than sitting idle. He finally retired from active teaching at the age of 75.
Pa Alade also had a brief stint in politics, serving as Supervisory Councillor for Works and Housing in Ifelodun Local Government, Kwara State, from 1999 to 2000.
Pa Alade is a disciplinarian and a focused professional teacher whose pivotal role in moulding the younger generation into responsible and accomplished members of society remains outstanding. The manifestation of this description is reflected in what the 1984 Set of St. Anthony’s Secondary School has become today.
The celebration was rounded off with a reunion dinner attended by many other classmates and graced by the SASSIOSA Global President, Hon. Sir Ben Duntoye, a former Commissioner for Information in Kwara State.
The Global President, whose appearance at the reunion dinner was a surprise to the 1984 Set, praised them for their exemplary conduct as alumni and their consistent and unwavering support for their alma mater.
