By Adedapo Adesanya
The week-long 60th Anniversary of Eva Adelaja Girls’ Secondary Grammar School, Bariga, commenced on Saturday, February 17 with the Praise Day and Community Hymn Singing held at Chapel of Christ the Light in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
The event witnessed personalities from different sets of the six-decade-old school grace the chapel at the heart of Lagos to sing hymns to honour God and extol the virtues of the late founder, Mrs Eva Adebayo Adelaja.
Eva Adelaja Girls’ Secondary Grammar School, Bariga was founded in 1964 by Mrs Evangeline Adebayo Adelaja. The school was formerly known as Girls Secondary School. It was privately owned until 1969 when it became grant-aided by the Lagos State Government. In 1974, it was completely taken over by the government.
Speaking during the service, Revd Oladele Ajayi, the Presiding Chaplain, lauded the life of the educator and appreciated her contribution to the education of the girl child.
He called on those present, including family members, alumni, present students, and other well-wishers to emulate her.
On her part, the president of the Eva Adelaja Girls’ Secondary Grammar School Old Girls’ Association, Mrs Rhoda Ayinde, said the milestone provided an opportunity to thank God for using Mrs Adelaja as a vessel to raise a generation of girls on the right path.
“It’s an opportunity for us to thank God for the impact of the last six decades, for the journey of raising role models that Mama started 60 years ago and that’s why we decided to start our celebration with thanksgiving.
“It is of great impact that the mighty tree that Mama planted is providing shade and is being felt by everyone. By the Bariga community, by the state, and the nation at large,” she said.
The highlight of the event was the announcement of the establishment of the N1 million Prize known as the Ben and Eva Adelaja Prize, which will be awarded to the best-graduating student moving forward.
This was announced by the representative of the family of the founder, Mrs Kehinde Kamson, the daughter of the late founder in memory of their mother and father.
“To commemorate this milestone anniversary, the Adelaja family has decided to commit in perpetuity, to providing an annual prize to be called the Ben and Eva Adelaja Prize.
She said the prize would be given at the end of each school year to a graduating student across the board with criteria including the best performance in academic excellence, leadership, commitment to community, and vision.
She added that the family wished this would be the top prize at the school in honour of the founder’s legacy starting in 2024, noting that a fund will be established to also recognise other exemplary students at the school.
On her part, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Mrs Folashade Laja, lauded the foot at which the celebrations commenced and said the next set of activities would impact others.
The next event will be a Fun Day scheduled for Tuesday, February 20, at the school compound located at 1, Adepeju Street, Bariga, Lagos from 8 a.m. onwards. This will feature a novelty match, charity visit, rally, health talk, and a raffle draw.
On Thursday, February 22, there will be an anniversary lecture and documentary from 10 a.m. at 10 Degrees Event Centre Plot A2, along Billings Way in Oregun.
The celebration will culminate with a dual event starting with a thanksgiving at Chapel of Christ the Light scheduled to start by 9 a.m. This is followed by a reception and awards ceremony by 12 noon.
Dipo Olowookere