Iwo School Hosts Farewell for Federal College of Education's Founding Provost, Abdulrafiu Adebayo

The Wings Schools, located in Iwo, Osun State, held a send-off event in honor of Abdulrafiu Adebayo, who served as the founding provost of the

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Federal College of Education (FCE), Iwo

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, as he wraps up his four-year tenure.

The college originated from The Wings Schools, which served as its temporary location prior to establishing a permanent campus. This change fostered a close collaboration between Mr. Adebayo and The Wings Schools' management during his tenure as the college’s provost.

The event, attended by school staff, students, and local leaders, allowed Mr. Adebayo to reflect on the college's formative years and the efforts of the initial management team in establishing the institution.

In his address, Mr. Adebayo noted that his first action as the provost was to unite key members of the leadership team, including the registrar, bursar, and librarian, to create a collaborative governance structure for the newly founded college.

He acknowledged the challenges faced during the institution's early days and praised the late bursar, Adebayo Lasisi, whose efforts included facilitating the college's move from its temporary site to its permanent location on Oyo Road. The ceremony included a moment of silence in memory of the late bursar.

Mr. Adebayo described the Registrar, Alhaji M. Aderibigbe Yusuf, as a diligent individual, and praised the librarian, Dr. (Mrs.) Deborah Funmi Iyanda, for her unwavering commitment to her responsibilities, dubbing her an unrecognized deputy provost.

During the ceremony, T. K. Sanusi, the principal of The Wings Schools, lauded the pioneering management team for establishing a strong foundation for the college and commended Mr. Adebayo for boosting student enrolment during his time.

Abdulwakeel Situ, the chairman of the event and the tutor general of The Wings Schools, highlighted the demanding yet often undervalued nature of pioneering roles in new institutions, emphasizing that those who lay the groundwork typically conclude their terms just as the benefits of their efforts become apparent.

Lai Olurode, the proprietor of The Wings Schools and a former national commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission, congratulated the outgoing management for successfully guiding the college in its early stages. He posed questions to Mr. Adebayo regarding how the management overcame external pressures and public expectations relating to employment and contract decisions.

In response, Mr. Adebayo attributed the achievements during his tenure to teamwork, a commitment to the developmental plan created by the management team, and the support from the Iwo community. He acknowledged the invaluable contribution of The Wings Schools in providing classroom facilities during the college's early years before its gradual transition to the new campus.

Mr. Adebayo expressed gratitude to the traditional ruler of Iwo, Abdulrasheed Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo, as well as Liad Tella, the pioneer chairman of the college’s governing council, and other stakeholders for their support.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of gifts to the honorees, attended by a gathering of staff members from both institutions, students, and other guests.