Governor Oluseyi Makinde of Oyo State, Mr Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, and former Presidential Aide Laolu Akande among others will headline the Loyola College Old Boys Association’s 70th Anniversary Lecture and celebrations, scheduled for the 19th of July, 2024, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos.
Mr Edun will deliver the keynote lecture titled “Reconstructing the Nigerian Economy for Sustainable Growth and Investment,” aimed at providing insightful perspectives on initiatives to foster sustainable economic growth and investment under the current administration.
The Association emphasised that this lecture “aims to provide insightful perspectives on the initiatives by the current administration to turn around the economy for sustainable growth and investment.”
“The event will commence at 11:00 am at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, 13/15 Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos,” the Association announced.
The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will be the Special Guest of Honour at the event.
Ambassador Joe Keshi, an Old Boy of the School and former Permanent Secretary, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will serve as the Chairman of the Day.
Mr Laolu Akande, the former Presidential Spokesman and an Old Boy of the School, will moderate the lecture and the panel discussion involving Dr Doyin Salami, the former Chief Economic Adviser to the former President; Mrs Oyeyimika Adeboye, the Managing Director of Cadbury Nigeria PLC; and Dr Olumide Adedeji, an Old Boy of the School and a leading banker and financial expert.
“This event promises to be enlightening and engaging, bringing together some of the brightest minds in the fields of economics, finance, and manufacturing to explore strategies for sustainable growth and investment in Nigeria,” the Association enthused.
A highlight of the Anniversary Lecture will be the launch and unveiling of a new book titled “Loyola Stories.”
This book “chronicles the establishment of the School, the early years, the evolution of the School over the years as well as reflections by several alumni spanning many generations,” the Association noted.
Founded in 1953 by the Roman Catholic mission, Loyola College, Ibadan admitted its first 19 foundation students in 1954.
Among these early students were notable figures such as the late Alhaji Lamidi “Lam” Adesina, former Governor of Oyo State, and the late Apostle (Dr) Hayford Alile (OFR).
Since the late 1950s, Loyola College has nurtured individuals who have taken giant strides in various spheres of human endeavour, becoming role models and impacting various facets of Nigerian society and the world at large.
Prominent alumni include His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, the late Alhaji Lamidi Adesina, former Governor of Oyo State; the late Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), immediate past Governor of Ondo State; the late Apostle (Dr) Hayford Alile (OFR), former Executive Director/CEO of the Nigeria Stock Exchange; Professor Pat Utomi, a renowned political economist and public affairs analyst; Professor Akin Abayomi, an accomplished oncologist and the current Commissioner of Health for Lagos State and Akande among others.
Additional activities to commemorate the 70th Anniversary include an essay competition, talent hunt, career talk for students, sports competitions, cocktail and variety night, and a Gala Dinner in Ibadan on the 10th of August, 2024.
Reverend Professor Tony Akinwale, the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Dominican University, will be the Guest Speaker at the Gala Dinner. He will speak on “Reconstructing the Educational System in Nigeria: The Role of the Private Sector.”
The Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Oluseyi Makinde (FNSE), will be the Special Guest of Honour at the Gala Dinner.
The programme also includes the groundbreaking ceremony for a multipurpose Alumni building, which is the commemorative project for the 70th Anniversary.
