The sun kept shining exceptionally bright on Tuesday, the 17th of July in major locations across Lagos state, creating an atmosphere beautiful enough to indulge in celebrations. With schools across Lagos already on break or rounding up their academic session, one unusual school in Lagos received remarkable attention when dignitaries and notable personalities joined in celebrating their graduation and prize giving day. Situated on a small piece of land within the Oyemekun- Ogba axis of Ifako Ijaiye local government, the picturesque environment on this very day, played host to an array of entertainment, information, culture and people, all in a bid to successfully complete the transitioning of the fresh graduands into higher society. A strictly by invitation affair, the school received a rare honor when the Ifako Ijaiye local government chairman apologized and expressed his regret for being absent through a distinguished Honorable Isaac Ajibose

Beginning with a colorful welcome address and introduction of special guests by the impressive MC portable, who commended the school’s efforts and implored parents to always appreciate teachers before moving on to introduce the high table which included local government representative, Honorable Isaac Ajibose, Mrs. Jato, and veteran journalist, Ayo Lawal amidst a host of dignitaries. The programme’s welcome song and speech, recited by the grade II students was accompanied by traditional drums which became a recurrent background theme throughout the event and the ceremony officially kicked off with request for showers of blessings by Pastor Gabriel, who fervently prayed that God’s grace and continuous advancement come upon all and sundry. Then the speech by Honorable Isaac Ola Ajibose, the official representative of the Ifako Ijaiye local government, who apologized for the chairman, Oloruntoba Oke’s, unavailability and congratulated the hosts on their impressive feats. The distinguished representative was hailed as he announced onstage several plans already in place to assist the school while reminiscing the days he was younger
A major highlight was the introduction of the high-spirited proprietress, Mrs. Grace Aderibigbe, who rocked the stage in her traditional attire and danced with staff and few well-wishers, before changing into a more corporate combination of black and white for the rest of the occasion. With several enlightening plays, recitations, presentations and cultural dance choreography being a major feature of the ceremony, the acrobatic Atilogwu dance by pupils of the school proved to be the most mesmerizing of all, as the audience reacted with occasional cheers and standing ovation till the end of the presentation.

Several guests and parents happily shared stories of the school’s magnanimity; with most eulogizing the proprietress for her role in grooming the pupils for higher society, it was interesting to learn that despite the amenities in the school, the facility remained highly affordable. An unscripted emotional drama played out when Mrs. Akogun, one of the parents went onstage to appreciate the staff and proprietress especially, for roles played in her children’s successful completion of their primary education. “A lot of people here will agree that these women here aren’t just staff, they are also mothers to our kids that deserve to be celebrated, which is why after graduating my three children, we are obliged to appreciate their efforts". After publicly celebrating them as worthy mothers, Mrs. Akogun gifted the staff with bags of goodies.
After the show of appreciation by Mrs. Akogun, the proprietress briefly reappeared onstage in her black and white English combination to thank the guests for participating, and also prayed for the parents before presenting a revised scorecard of the school’s activities for the year. “We are proud to introduce to the world, another set of brilliant shining diamonds who have proven capable of holding themselves academically in the society, and asides education, we have also excelled in extracurricular activities. Coming top in a recently held competition in the Ifako Ijaiye axis, our students that participated in the trip to Domino’s Pizza have also been given their certificates. The upcoming holiday coaching from July 30th- August 30th promises to be loads of fun and will definitely host another set of achievers.”
After the proprietress’ address, the event rapidly moved onto the hymn recital by the school choir, and the valedictory speech by the graduands who were all emotional by now. The actual prize giving ceremony was blissfully nostalgic; with most of the students excelling in their various activities, the stage was crowded with proud parents and supportive guests who joined their hosts, Mr. and Mrs. Yinka Aderibigbe in cutting the cake. The crowd slowly began to disperse immediately after closing prayers, with every guest leaving with a bag of refreshment.

Diamond mine?
Wich kain mumu name be dat.