₦airaland Forum

Nigeria has only one problem- CORRUPTION. Kill corruption and all other things will be fixed.
Monies budgeted for power, education, infrastructure etc will be spent for the right purposes and not diverted into private pockets.
If Buhari (in spite of his shortcomings)is the man that can stamp out corruption, let him be given the chance. We will evolve from there.

CMS Grammar School, Lagos is the oldest secondary school in Nigeria. It was founded on the 6th of June 1859.



A Brief History of the School

One of the major consequences of the advent of European Missionaries and the subsequent exploration of the interior regions of Nigeria was a rise in the establishment of Churches and Schools by the Missionaries.

The missionaries had projected that if evangelism was to witness success and progress, education of the citizenry was inescapable. Thus, began the founding of many elementary schools, under the auspices of the CMS Mission and in line with that exploratory pattern. One of the leaders of the CMS Mission, Henry Venn was said to have favoured and encouraged the education of Africans for the African Mission, under a familiar climate.

One of the products of that indigenization campaign was Thomas Babington Macaulay, an African and Nigerian who was spotted and picked from Fourah Bay College, Sierra Leone and sent to England to train as an Anglican Priest at the CMS Training Institute Islington in the United Kingdom; where he studied Literary Arts; and after which he also had a brief stint at the King's College, University of London where he obtained a Bachelor's degree in Arts. Determined to carve a niche for himself as a major player in the education of Africans - a programme that was on-going at the time, Thomas Babington Macaulay was ordained, next to The Revd. (later Bishop) Samuel Ajayi Crowther in 1854. He returned on graduation to Abeokuta and was posted to the Abeokuta Training Institute in Ake, under The Revd. Robert C. Paley where he rose to become the Headmaster on the death of Rev. Robert Paley after only three months.

Reported to be "too academic" for an elementary school and "lecturing his congregation instead of preaching to them" Henry Townsend was to get him transferred from Abeokuta en-route Lagos to Freetown in Sierra Leone to join the staff at the CMS Grammar School there. Macaulay felt differently and pleaded to be allowed to start a High School in Lagos; as an option to being transferred. His request was granted. Armed with his approval letter, his monthly stipend and the four rooms granted him in a small single storey building called the COTTON WAREHOUSE along the Broad Street, Lagos - the present site of ECOBANK (UTC Building) on Broad Street, Lagos. Thomas Babington Macaulay founded CMS Grammar School on June 6, 1859. He presided with great distinction as Principal over the school from 1859 to 1879 when he died.

The School started with only six pupils, all boarders and for decades after it was founded, it was the only secondary Grammar School that offered boys training as future leaders of Nigeria. Until recently, most of the Anglican Clergy in Nigeria were products of the CMS Grammar School, as were the early administrators. Though a Mission School, it did not discriminate in its admissions, with boys from different religious background being offered admission into the school through an entrance examination.

Many years later, after a British colony had been established in Lagos in 1861, the British colonial authorities still recruited most of their local clerical and technical staff from the School. Among these were Dr. Henry Carr, the first Anglican Inspector of Education and, later Administrator General of Lagos Colony, and Herbert Macaulay, who later trained as a Surveyor.

Under Thomas Babington Macaulay, the school witnessed rapid growth and esteemed consolidation. He developed the CMS Grammar School into a famous school, and was reputed to be a stern disciplinarian determined to instill moral discipline in the boys under his charge. From the start he made it his priority to assist the boys in the development of their character and to prepare them for public service. This has remained the tradition of the school.

Macaulay's main pre-occupation, encapsulated in that of the CMS Mission, was to raise a bunch of boys who would be SPIRITUALLY DEEP, MORALLYSOUND and ACADEMICALLY ENDOWED enough to shape public opinion and raise standards anywhere they found themselves after graduation. It was in due regard of those feats that the Missionaries gave the motto of the school as NISI DOMINUS FRUSTRA extracted from Psalm 127, meaning "Without God we labour in vain", which enshrined the faith of the founding fathers, and the tradition of the school.

Babington Macaulay has one other claim to historical prominence and fame. He got married to one of Bishop Ajayi Crowther's daughters, Abigail and from that union came a son, the famous Herbert Macaulay, leader of the Nigerian nationalist movement. Successive Principals over the years had laboured tirelessly to keep those cherished traditions, break new grounds and set the school on a greater course. As a matter of fact, the School has been fortunate in having a succession of dedicated and diligent Principals who have continued to maintain its excellent academic traditions and moral discipline.

Among them, were: Ven. Archdeacon Henry Johnson, who succeeded Revd. Babington Macaulay in acting capacity from 1879--1881, The Revd (Later Bishop) Isaac Oluwole 1881-1893. Mr. James Johnson 1893-1894 (Acting), The Revd E. A. Godson 1894-1895, The Revd. (later Bishop) F. Melvile Jones 1895-1896 (Acting), The Revd Joseph Suberu Fanimokun 1896-1914, The Revd. Canon E. J. Evans 1915-1927, The Revd A. Hobson 1927-1929, The Revd F. Watherton 1929-1931, when he was redeployed to found Igbobi College; The Revd (later Venerable) J. O. Lucas 1932-1935 (Acting), The Revd C. G. Thorne 1935-1936, The Revd. (later Bishop) S. O. Odutola 1936-1938 (Acting), Mr. (later Professor) I. J. Lewis 1938-1943, The Revd (later Bishop) Seth Irunsewe Kale 1944-1949.

Later, the School moved down the road from its 'Cotton House' site at Broad Street, to a more spacious accommodation, at the junction of Broad Street and Odunlami Street, which later played host to the Lagos Central Library and NITEL. It was on that new site that the first School Science Laboratory was built in 1929, together with an Assembly Hall, the Principal's lodge, and a dining room for the boarders. In 1909, fifty years after the founding of the school, the first state secondary school, the King's College, Lagos was established by the colonial administration, with most of its foundation students drawn from the CMS Grammar School.

In 1915, The Revd Canon (later Professor) E. J. Evans, a scientist and well-known author of science books for secondary schools, who introduced the teaching of Science in the School, succeeded The Revd Fanimokun as Principal. It was he who in 1919 composed the music of the School Song, which was later harmonized by Fela Sowande, an old boy of the School. On leaving the School, Canon E. J. Evans later became a Professor at the University of London. In 1929, The Revd F. Watherton took over as Principal. During his tenure, some students in the school were successfully presented in 1931 for the new Senior Certificate Examinations. The following year The Revd Watherton left the School following his appointment as Principal of the new Igbobi College/jointly founded by the Anglican and Methodist Missions. The CMS Grammar School again provided Igbobi with some of its foundation students, the others having been drawn from Methodist Boys' High School, Lagos.

The mild-mannered Ven. (Dr.) J. Olumide Lucas succeeded The Revd Watherton as Acting Principal. Ven. J. Olumide Lucas, a great scholar, author, music composer, and theologian, left the school in 1935 on being appointed the Vicar of St. Paul's Church, Breadfruit. The boarding house has been named after him in recognition of his contributions to the progress of the School. He had been preceded by three expatriates, and was succeeded by yet another, The Revd Thorne in 1936 as Principal. Mr. Lewis, popularly known by the boys as 'Jeki' maintained strict discipline the School and won the respect of parents and the public. He did not hesitate in flogging errant boys. When a few boys from wealthy families became unruly, he expelled them from the School. It was he who introduced the preparatory class in the School by which boys drawn mainly from the CMS Girls' School were admitted and prepared for the entrance examination to the school.

He left in 1944, and subsequently became a Professor at the Institute Education in the University of London. Such was his commitment to the development of education in Africa that he ended his academic career in the 1980s as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Zimbabwe. During his tenure as Principal, the teaching of Science in the School flourished so much that Science Tutors from other schools came to the CMS Grammar School for further training, and to use its excellent Science Laboratories.

Some students came to School for the preliminary science course, preparatory to entering Yaba Higher College for the Diploma course in science. He was ably assisted in the teaching of Science by Mr. (later Professor) C.O.Taiwo, and Mr. C.A. Fawole, both of whom had read Science at the Yaba Higher College.

During the World War II in 1942, those reading Science were evacuated from Yaba Higher College to the CMS Grammar School to complete their diploma course. Mr. Lewis was the last of the great expatriate Principals of the School all of whom left indelible marks on it.

The Revd (later Bishop) S. O. Odutola succeeded Mr. L. J. Lewis in 1944 as acting Principal. It was he who expanded the Science Laboratories in the School. He was replaced, as principal, by The Revd (later Bishop) Seth Irunsewe Kale, who left in 1940 for St. Andrew's College, Oyo, which had been founded in 1896 by the Anglican Mission as a Teacher Training College. Under Revd Kale, the teaching of Science in the school continued to flourish with the recruitment of more science teachers and the expansion of Science Laboratories in the School. Kale House, one of the houses to which boys in the school are distributed, has been named after him.

After the Irunsewe Kale days, another set of Principals sat on the saddle at different times; beginning with The Revd Canon (later Venerable) B. A. Adelaja (an old boy) 1950-1970. Others Include: Mr. T.A.Ojo 1970--1972 (Acting), Sir High Chief Israel Akin Olowu 1972-1984, Mr. B. A. Nigwo, (an old boy) 1985-1987, Mr. J. B. A. Edema 1987-1997, Mr. Taiwo O. Jemilugba (another old boy) 1997-2001, The Revd (later Venerable) J. O. Onayinka September 2001-August 2005, and The Revd (later Venerable) Tunde Oduwole (yet another old boy) September 2005 till date.


In 1950, The Revd Canon (later Archdeacon) B.A.Adelaja, took over as Principal of the School. He remained Principal for twenty years. When he left in 1970 he had equalled the feat achieved by the first Principal of the School, The Revd Thomas Babington Macaulay, who also served for twenty years.

It was during the long tenure of Revd Canon Adelaja as Principal that the School, after years of careful preparation, moved in 1959 to its present site at Bariga, then virtually a virgin land on the outskirts of Lagos. Understandably, many Old Grammarians, who remained sentimentally attached to the old site at Odunlami, privately expressed their reservations about the School moving to Bariga.

In retrospect, the decision to move the school to Bariga was wise and justified, as the old site in Central Lagos had become too small and cramped for the School, which needed new facilities such as a good sports arena and modern Science Laboratories. All of these were accomplished at the new site during tenure of Revd. Canon Adelaja, who will always be remembered for his contribution to the fame and physical development of the School during his tenure as Principal. It is in recognition of this that the School Hall was posthumously named after him.

Happily, Mr. (later Chief) I. A. Olowu, who had taught in the School for many years under Canon Adelaja, returned as its Principal from Igbobi College in 1972, and served until 1984. He was an inspiring Principal who loved the School and the boys. Even in his 80s', he continued, almost without fail, to attend the Annual Founder's Day Service at the Cathedral. He was a great tutor of Latin and Geography who did not brook any intellectual indolence from the students. He also took a keen interest in the career and progress of the boys after they had left the School. It was during his tenure that the school excelled in sports, winning many national and international laurels.

Regrettably, in 1979 the Lagos State Government, pleading public interest, took over the school, like all other private secondary schools in Lagos. Predictably, under government control, the School was badly neglected, and its high academic standards fell. The School's boarding house was abandoned; its staff quarters acquired by the government and several new state schools were built on its grounds. Students' enrolment in the School increased significantly. But owing to lack of funds, the Lagos State Government was not able to maintain the excellent facilities in the School.

As a result of the take-over both at federal and state levels, especially by the Lagos State Government~ religious organisations were no more in control of their schools, which they had once established. Education became politicised; number of pupils increased in several folds without a corresponding increase in facilities on ground. Maintenance of existing structures and equipment was NIL and this went on for years: until structures became dilapidated.

In the dramatic turn of event and under severe pressure from old boys and the church in what has now become a monumental step of history by the Lagos State government under the leadership of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Executive Governor, schools were once again returned to the original owners comprising Missions and private individuals after more than 25 years of ‘incarceration'.

The agitation for the return of the School to the Dioceses Lagos and Lagos West (Anglican Communion) was led by Mr. Akintola Williams, CBE, CFR, Late Chief F.R.A. Williams, SAN, Late Otunba T.O.S. Benson, SAN, Major Gen. Henry Adefope, Chief G.O. K. Ajayi, SAN and Ambassador Oladapo Fafowora, among others.

kaeto: Winners college Kuka, shendam LGA, Plateau state,plateau my 2nd home and a reason why Nigeria should never be split. God bless plateau state for me. God bless Shendam LGA.

What year?

Magami Government Day Secondary School, Jalingo, Taraba. State Batch B 03-04.

Subscribing...brb

Ah! Love...I have given up. It's always about money and/or the lack of it. There's no true love again.

@OP: I don't have any sympathy for her. It serves her right! They all know how to collect gifts, yet they are never sure if it's right for them to accept a guy's proposal. They are always waiting for the perfect guy, forgetting that we also overlook their shortcomings.
I am certain the writer would not have hesitated if the guy had proposed with an SUV. Buncha thieves!!!

Anubiri: I kw ¶† must be a nigerian man handling ‎​D̶̲̥̅̊a̶̲̥̅τ plane...lack of good education ‎​i̶̲̥̅̊n̶̲̥̅̊ niaja cn lead 2 cantamotions of all kind

This shows that you had a proper education. Mumu



RIP to the dead. May God comfort their loved ones.

djustice: Beaf, abeg, we go quarrel o...!!! This your ethnic coloration of every evil committed by the demons in ACN is beginning to annoy me. I am Yoruba, and I don't subscribe to their stupidity. The Yorubas who don't like them are actually in the majority in the southwest. It's just that they've perfected the art of rigging elections and intimidating sitting presidents to do their bidding. When Jonathan wakes up to the fact that consulting them and negotiating with southwest governors is simply playing into their hands, we will drive them out, the interlopers that they are.

Tell Jonathan to concentrate on the important things. He said he's ready to fight corruption, yet Bola Tinubu continues to corner the best of Lagos State government owned property for his personal use. The latest one is the Eti-Osa Local Government Headquarters at the junction of Rewane Road and Glover Road, Ikoyi, which was sold to him for just N10m. Jonathan cannot be saying he wants to win the southwest and Lagos with one side of his mouth and at the same time be fraternising with our enemies and those who violate the constitution at every opportunity.

Which one do you people want? A united PDP or a divided one? You have successfully frozen the SW PDP out of National reckoning, and you don't hear us shouting. We understand. Your ethnically coloured accusations are now carrying your sacrifice beyond the mosque entrance. Be careful o!!!

Don't mind Beaf jare, he thinks all Yorubas are lovers of ACN. I will never support that party and its hypocritical ways as long as Bola Tinubu continues to corner the resources of Lagos state for himself and cronies and I am concerned as an indigene.

Bad news dey sell oooo..

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...hmmm...interesting

@Tinkybabe: I am yet to get your response on Slimyemm's Erectus Trouserious. It is very crucial!

cloud7: My Sister dont worry!Just calculate how many times he banged you, multiply by how many rounds and finally multiply 5k per round...then sue him and his family,I tell you ..you will be a Billionaire

You are a mor0n

Omofranca: This fact will soon be revealed incontrovertibly to all, when his (Fireman's)cup is finally full. I was almost a victim of one of his fake prayer sessions in April 2010.

Hmmm...interesting! Tell us about it

gl450: Now it is clear, that the world don't even want to believe in GOD again...after all that Jesus did. remember Jesus too was called a Fake, Jesus was accused of healing through suspicious powers. for so long the enemy has blinded people to the miracle power of God that people can't even accept that healing and miracles are REAL...the Man is HEALED whether there are physical signs or not. Any prayer in the name of Jesus are all answered..God does not say NO to any prayers in Jesus Name for anything that has been made available by the finished works of Christ...People ONLY Believe, the man is HEALED...he might not feel it,,,he might still be lying down in the hospital...those are just lying vanities of the accuser working on the mind of the individual...if you are reading this Sir Enebeli, the WORD of God has been ministered to You..."Get UP from that BED and GO Home and be the MAN GOD has Made YOU"...YOU ARE HEALED.....

I believe this is Fireman himself

Beaf: Everybody knew that the pro-subsidy protests were ethnically motivated and demonic. Now, the demons are confessing.

http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/41903-opposition-parties-behind-subsidy-removal-protest-aregbesola

What we demand now, is the list of oil marketers, smugglers and blood suckers that used the youth and sponsored the riots.

Oga, I really don't understand what you are trying to prove. It offends my sensibility when you gleefully claim that the protests were ethnically motivated. Many supported and took part because of the economic effects of such policies. I'm sure you are not in Nigeria and if you are, I can be sure you are cocooned inside the Aso Villa where our collective wealth is being plundered and so far removed from realities.

Let me inform you, N3000 is not enough to cook a pot of soup and the minimum wage is N18000. How do you expect people to survive?

Socio-economic realities rather than ethnicity were responsible although they could have been sustained by other interests particularly political opposition.

Dyt: awwww so sorry
dats d end of d relationship
u simply cant do anyth abt it
i pray u recover soon

Sad truth

[quote author=Mynd_44]He has already posted the answer. The only thing is the answer is crap[/quote]No mind am jare. He just come here they worry old bros like dat

Hell hath no fury...

Hawtin! Hawtin! Hawtin! How many times did I call you? Why do you want to kill yourself over Killz (no pun intended) who doesn't give a damn about you? Hmmmm? I have been waiting for you on that Slimmyem's thread so we can finalise our conjugal (grammar) discourse.

IbrahimB: Can't david make a point without mentioning islam or muslims? :-/

Exactly what he was trying to say. You guys are not so tolerant.

tellwisdom: Chaii , dis gurl don suffer

May ur soul rest in peace

Haba, fellow thou art loose!


@OP: I can understand your pains. Like someone said earlier, why not be sure that your man is not actually behind it and using his folks as smokescreen?
How is he taking the revelation? Have you gone to see any of his folks (mother or father) to hear from them?
Anyway, when things like this happen, what I can only advise is that you move on. Trust me, I know exactly how you feel because I have been there.

ilugunboy: You should shut the F.vck up! Olodo..!, I never intend to understand such a doctrine meant for perverts like you.

I laugh in Boko Haram

Prince saha: It pains when u see people defending boko haram. Whether u are a muslim or xtian pls lets call a spade a spade. Boko haram simply wants to annihilate xtians in nig period. I live in kano so i know what am saying. Many muslims have been killed by this sect but if u watch closely, u will notice dat most of them died due to their dealings with d so-called infidels. Some muslims were killed because they spoke against these group while many were killed unintentionally. But the killing of xtians is their primary target and well planned and co-ordinated. Though i cant speak 4 d southern muslims but i can authoritatively tell u dat many muslims in d north and kano here inwardly supports boko haram and feel hapi any time a xtian or church is attacked. Infact most of my muslim friends support them and are ready 2 defend them. Dats y dis useless sect thrives and operates freely cos dose dat should report them 2 d security agencies are in support of them while some are afraid 2 lose their life if they ever try that. But d truth remains dat dis pple (bh) are known in their various communities. A muslim friend told me last week dat his cousin is a member of bh and dat no bullet can pierce his body cos Allah will protect him. D issue of jihad is a known fact so cant be denied by d northern muslims

Let them continue to live in denial, yet they are always quick to label others as 'hypocrites'

[quote author=Mr..Cork]REASLITY. bro whats her name? [/quote]So you can add her on Facebook, badt guy!