FAMILY TO LAUNCH FOUNDATION IN HONOUR OF LATE EKITI FOREMOST EDUCATIONIST, OLUSOLA BAYODE

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The family of late foremost educationist and one-time Principal of the famous Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti, Chief Olusola Bayode has concluded plans to put in place a foundation in his memory.

Naijaparrots gathered that the official launch of Olusola Bayode Foundation as well as the first annual lecture has been slated for Ado-Ekiti the Ekiti State capital.

The lecture is titled Effective School Management and Impact on Nation Building: Lessons from the Life of Olusola Bayode.

The programme which would hold on Saturday April 23rd at Grace of God A&T Event Center on Ikere Road in Ado-Ekiti would have as guest speaker Professor Isaac Abiodun Ajayi of the department of Educational Management in Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti (EKSU).

According to the first son of the maker of men, Morakinyo Bayode, the foundation was put in place to continue with what their father lived for and also initiate the process of imparting on future leaders.

He said structures and processes have been worked out to ensure that the purpose for which the foundation was established is justified.

Late Chief Olusola Bayode taught at Amoye Grammar School, Ikere Ekiti from 1964 to 1972, serving as a House Master and as Vice-Principal of the school. In 1972, he resumed as pioneer principal of Aisegba Community Grammar School, Aisegba Ekiti.

In 1984, Chief Olusola Bayode resumed as principal, Christ’s School, Ado Ekiti where he served for 10 years until his retirement in December 1994.

Chief Bayode served ANCOPPS in many roles up to his election as Ondo State President (1989-1993), National Executive Committee member (1989-1993).

As president of ANCOPPS, Ondo State, Chief Bayode organised a 3-day management workshop tagged ‘Management Clinic’ for all school principals in the old Ondo State to improve their managerial skills and general performance.

The Olusola Bayode Foundation is committed to pushing his vision for this further and to higher levels.

As a churchman, Chief Olusola Bayode served as people’s warden, St Luke’s Anglican Church, Uro, Ikere Ekiti from 1966 to 1973, treasurer of the church from 1976 to 1986 and member of Ekiti Diocesan Synod from 1966 up till he passed awa.

He was the Diocesan Assistant Synod Secretary from 1966 to 1979 and Diocesan Synod Secretary from 1979 to 2003.

He was a member of the Diocesan Educational Secretary-General’s Board (covering the old Western Region and Kwara State) from 1980 to 1987 and served as Chairman, Ile-Abiye Hospital Management Board from 2000 till 2005.

Chief Olusola Bayode served the community as member, Civil Defence Committee, Ekiti South Division (1967-1970); (also elected member of its standing committee representing the local government on the body of Western Nigeria Local Government Authorities Board); member and secretary, Ogoga of Ikere Palace building committee (1969-1971), Secretary, Ogoga of Ikere coronation committee (1971); Chairman , Ikere Day celebrations committee, (1999-2015); Chairman, Ikere Community projects committee, (1999 to 2015) and patron to a large number of organisations.

Chief Bayode was a member of the board of governors of Amoye Grammar School, Ikere Ekiti (1978-1981), African Church Comprehensive High School, Ikere Ekiti (Chairman from 1984-1987), Iluomoba Community High School (1984-1987) and Bobas High School, Ikere Ekiti from 2000-2010.

Chief Bayode was Chairman, visitation panel to the Ondo State College of Arts and Science, Ikare (1984); member of the governing council, Ondo State College of Education, Ikere Ekiti (1984-1987); member, Ikere Local Government Education Authority (1989-1990); member, Ondo State committee of WAEC from 1987 to 1993; member of the Nigerian National Committee of WAEC (1990-1993); member of the West African Examinations Council representing Nigeria (1991-1993); member, WAEC International Examinations Committee, representing Nigerian secondary schools (1991-1993); member, Ondo State library board (1991-1992); member, Ekiti State Elder’s Forum (1997-1999) and member, Christ’s School Alumni Elders’ Forum and Chairman of the Christ’s School Alumni Elders’ Forum (2020-2021).

Chief Bayode served the nation as a member of the 1991 Governorship and Legislative Assembly Elections Tribunal for Niger and Ondo States and the 1992 National Assembly Election Tribunal for Kogi and Kwara States.

Chief Olusola Bayode was a charter member of the Rotary Club of Ikere and served as Vice President of the club in 1987-88 Rotary year and President in 1988-89 Rotary year.

He was a member of the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI), Ajilosun, Ado Ekiti chapter, served as chapter president from 1998 to 2012 and as Field Representative from 2012 till his transition.

Chief Olusola Bayode was a recipient of many honours and awards. These include the ‘Principal of the Year Award’ by the old Ondo State as Principal of School with the best GCE O/L exams in the state (1980), Atayese of Aisegba Ekiti (1981); Christ’s School Alumni Association Merit Award for Distinguished Services (June 1993); Ondo State ANCOPSS Honours Award for Distinguished Services (October 1993); Mayegun of Emure-ekiti (November 1994); Ondo State ANCOPSS Medallion (1995); Principal Emeritus of Nigeria (P.E.N) Award by the national body of ANCOPSS for distinguished services to education (1998); Justice of Peace (J.P) in 2005; Paul Arganbright Partner award of the Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship (2013); the Ekiti Anglican Diocese Distinguished Service Award(2006) and Distinguished Veteran Teachers Award, Faculty of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University (2018). He was also cited in Ondo State’s Who’s who in 1992.