LAGOS, NIGERIA — The historic Eko Hotel and Towers was transformed into a hub of nostalgia and high-level philanthropy as the Egbado College Old Students Association (ECOSA) kicked off a week-long celebration marking the 75th anniversary of the prestigious Yewa Egbado College, Ilaro.
The diamond jubilee celebration, which commenced on February 4th, serves as a rallying cry for alumni to give back to their alma mater, an institution famously recognized as an “Ionian School.”
A Call to Action for Alumni
The Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, delivered a keynote emphasizing that the burden of educational excellence must be shared. He urged old students across the state to take an active role in supporting their colleges to ensure that the standards of the past meet the demands of the future.
The event drew an unprecedented gathering of Nigeria’s elite, many of whom walked the halls of the Ilaro institution. Among the distinguished guests were:
• Senator Iyabode Anisulowo, Senator of the Federal Republic.
• Alhaja Sinat Ojikutu, Nigeria’s first elected female Deputy Governor.
• Professor Rahman Bello, Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos.
• Captain Adewale Isola, representing the military top brass.
• The current Deputy Governor of Lagos State.
Under the leadership of the Global President, Architect Olaniyi Dasaolu, the current executive team officially launched a ₦20 Billion Endowment Fund. The ambitious fund is dedicated to the total upliftment and infrastructural development of the 75-year-old college.
The fundraising gala saw an “unprecedented” response, with substantial billions already pledged by captains of industry and wealthy alumni to ensure the college remains a premier center for learning in Ogun State.
The gala in Lagos was only the beginning. The 75th-anniversary festivities are scheduled to run through February 15th, featuring a series of events designed to reconnect old friends and inspire the current generation of students.
From its humble beginnings in 1951 to its current status as a beacon of academic heritage, Yewa Egbado College continues to prove that its “Old Boys and Girls” remain its greatest asset.
