With profound joy and deep reverence to almighty God, I, Yeye-Oba, Erelu Adenike Ogunleye-Ogunrinde, the alumni president of Obanta Comprehensive High School, Awa-Ijebu, on behalf of the alma mater, join the family of Pa Samson Adekoya Dauda Banjo in celebrating their Patriarch and an extraordinary teacher on the glorious occasion of his 90th birthday anniversary.
In the course of his life’s journey, he has demonstrated unwavering commitment, tireless advocacy, effective mentorship for the progress and inspiration to countless lives.
Sir, your life stands as a timeless testimony of God’s grace and uncommon strength for 9 decades. You have walked steadfastly on the planet earth with shining light. You have shown compassion, devotion, dedication, and discipline which have touched and raised many lives, leaving behind a legacy that reflects the beauty of a life well-lived and purposefully fulfilled. Your forthrightness has built the foundation upon which we stand. Your love has been the compass that has guided us through every storm; and your wisdom, clothed in humility, continues to inspire everyone blessed to know you. You embody the true meaning of fatherhood. You taught us that greatness is achievable through hard work and consistency. We learned that with God, every mountain can be surmounted and every dream can become a reality.
THE FOOTPRINTS OF PA SAMSON ADEKOYA DAUDA BANJO IN OBANTA COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL, AWA-IJEBU.
On your entry at Obanta Comprehensive High School, Awa in 1982 as the teacher of government subject, your footprints of impacts, and punctuality was noticed and celebrated by all within the four years you spent in the school. You didn’t just walk into the school; you walked in with a toolbox full of ideas, because if there was one thing you (‘Mr. Banjo’) loved, it was the growth and success of the students. You weren’t interested in simply maintaining the status quo; you wanted to push the boundaries of what a comprehensive education should be. You saw your students as more than just names on the attendance list; you saw future leaders in us. Your legacy is a gift to our alma mater and its communities. Your strength and passion for education light up the path for so many of us and everyone you have touched.
1. You immediately noticed something crucial on your arrival: while the students body was diverse, the daily assembly was heavily weighted towards Christian worship, with the songs of praise (S.O.P.) booklet being mastered by all students, and being a man of balanced ideas, believed that if the school was truly comprehensive, its spiritual life needed to be – too.
To teach true tolerance and unity, which is still the biggest lesson anyone can learn, you introduced the Friday Islamic devotion on the assembly ground. And the practice was beautiful: the Christian students weren’t just standing apart, everybody blended in, joining Muslim folks in their way of worship too; everyone was quick to learn some Muslim songs like “Hamdan wa shukran … hamdan 2x …” Meaning: Praise and gratitude be to Almighty Allah …; among other songs.
This was a visible and powerful lesson in the community school, showing that religious differences don’t divide us. It was you, Sir, who showed us that having the mutual respect for one another was just as important as acquiring a sound education.
- To ensure the mornings weren’t dull, you got approval from school’s management to establish the assembly school band! Suddenly, the morning and afternoon assembly sessions weren’t just a place to hear announcements; they became lively parades, where the students learnt discipline through marching, and making sure everyone started their day and ended it with physical and spiritual energies.
- Your dedication went beyond the school premises. You realised that for the commercial students, having just theoretical knowledge wasn’t enough; you knew they needed practical skills. So, by then, you were the vice principal, and you believed in education more than anything else. You therefore secured practical training slots for the commercial class students at a nearby Itamẹrin Comprehensive High School in Oru, so they could learn the art of typewriting! In the days before computers and phones, typewriting skill was golden, a direct ticket to securing a job. You were forward-thinking, and deeply committed to ensuring every child had the tools to thrive in the real world.
- Now, let’s talk about the phenomenon that earned you your famous nicknames. You wanted to make sure we started right and end right. Then came your punctuality code of conduct. You weren’t just on time; you were the time. You were there at the assembly ground at exactly 7:15 a.m., even before other teachers arrived, ready to enforce the discipline you valued so highly. You did not tolerate lateness! Come rain, come shine, you were there with your pankẹ́rẹ́, the dried cane in your hand, standing like a stern and unmoving monument, always looking impeccably sharp, often in your French suit. We always knew when you were in the building! The students quickly developed an instinct for knowing when they were late. Students might be hurrying down the road, feeling proud of beating the time, and then … You showed up ahead of them right there in the school, BAM! Once the latecomers saw ‘Mr. Banjo’, the game was over! And anyone caught – Oh, he or she knew the anthem, and then you would drop the word that meant trouble: “COME ALONG, COME ALONG”! Just two words, but they hit like a thunderbolt. And if students still try to sneak past from afar, you were ready with your other favourite phrase: “QUICKLY-QUICKLY, QUICKLY-QUICKLY”!
Honestly, you taught us that punctuality is the soul of business. That is the power of “Come along”! Sir, as you mark this remarkable milestone, we celebrate you as a vessel of divine grace, a father to many, a pillar of inspiration and foundation of success. Our prayer is that the Almighty God will continue to keep you, surround you with peace and grant you the joy of witnessing more years filled with love and good health.
Happy 90th Birthday Anniversary Sir! You are deeply loved, honoured and celebrated beyond words.
*Yèyé-Ọba, Erelú Adenike Ogunleye-Ogunrinde. National President, Obanta Comprehensive High School, Awa-Ijebu Alumni Association.