History
The birth of Government Secondary School Agbamu and eight other co – educational post – primary institutions was published in May, 1975, in ‘The
Nigerian Herald’ and announced on Radio Kwara, Ilorin.
In September, 1975, Mr J.O. Adewumi, (the Principal), Mr P.O. Ejiko, (the Vice Principal), Mrs Abolarin and two non-academic staff were posted to the newly founded school as pioneer members of staff for assumption of their respective duties in the school.
With practically no infrastructural facilities in place, the host community and the school forged a tripartite collaboration with the state government in providing a near conducive learning environment for the school’s take off at it’s temporary site in St. Paul L.S.B. Primary School. The old St. Paul Anglican Church auditorium was also donated to the school as the dinning hall. Prince (Dr) Samuel Adedoyin and Chief James Abolaji Balogun magnanimously yielded parts of their country homes for the school’s use as temporary staff quarters and hostels.
Late, in September, 1975, the Kwara State Government through ‘The Nigerian Herald’ officially published the names of successful prospective seventy – two candidates who were the pioneer intakes of the new school in January, 1976. But, I would hasten to add that only seventy of the intakes resumed in the school at resumption : fifty males and twenty females.
After the completion of the beginner’s registration exercise all through the weekend, on Monday, 20th January, 1976, rounds of prayer sessions were held and led at the school’s temporary site by Apostle M.A. Abolade of A.I.C.C., Ilorin, and Alhaji Abdulkareem, the Chief Imam of Central Mosque, Agbamu, before academic and other related activities commenced. For members of staff and this new crop of young learners, it was the opening of a memorable chapter in the annals of the school. An unforgettable experience that will watershed real, not imaginative experiences to these learners in their early formative years in Government Secondary School, Agbamu. Put quite simply, it is the beginning of the beginning of a five year academic life of toil and fun.Â
Furthermore, it is gratifying to know that the school which began with a modest population of seventy freshers in January, 1976, had a population of two hundred and sixty – four learners and more members of both academic and non – academic staff by July, 1978. This intuitively implies that within just two academic sessions, our population has tripled the one we started with.
Be that as it may, let me categorically state at this juncture that our growth and strength as a school should and must not be evaluated through population upsurge alone, other parameters are the school’s physical and infrastructural growth both at the temporary and permanent sites. At our temporary site, the school has outgrown the block of classrooms earlier given to us. This left us no choice but to erect another temporary block of classrooms to complement the old one which continues to serve as administrative and academic block.
Also, the State Government and the Ministry of Education must not only be commended but also saluted for all the necessary assistance and care given to the school. Mention must also be made of the numerous gigantic infrastructural projects being currently undertaken by the government at our permanent site. The government has also given the school a Peugeot 404 pick up van, a water tanker and Toyota Coaster bus to ameliorate our transportation and portable drinking water challenges which the school was hitherto facing. The state government ‘s favourable disposition to the school gives us hope and a very huge optimism that sooner than later, we will arrive at our promised land.
However, 1978/1979 academic session commenced with an alarming upsurge in the learners population with the resumption of two hundred and forty freshers in Form One. Trusting in God, and believing in the State’s Ministry Of Education’s willingness to always lend a helping hand, the endless generosity of our host community, and our own will to pave a way at our wits’end, we were able to overcome these daunting challenges. We equally felt the need for our learners to have all round education grooming that covers the four popular Domains of Education. Thus, our students were exposed to numerous co – curricular activities within and outside the school. We received and accepted invitations to participate in Inter Collegiate Essay Writing, Quiz and Debate, and Athletics and Games Competitions. Our school participated in an Essay Writing Competition organized by the Science Club of College Of Education, Oro. The competition’s theme was : ‘The Importance Of Science In Secondary Schools.’ It is imperative to note that out of the thirty – eight participating secondary schools, Government Secondary School, Agbamu, ably represented by Master Olukoya Kayode, a form four student emerged as the winner of the competition. This is one out of a thousand early signals that shows that this new school is destined for greatness.
However, 1978/1979 academic session commenced with an alarming upsurge in the learners population with the resumption of two hundred and forty freshers in Form One. Trusting in God, and believing in the State’s Ministry Of Education’s willingness to always lend a helping hand, the endless generosity of our host community, and our own will to pave a way at our wits’end, we were able to overcome these daunting challenges. We equally felt the need for our learners to have all round education grooming that covers the four popular Domains of Education. Thus, our students were exposed to numerous co – curricular activities within and outside the school. We received and accepted invitations to participate in Inter Collegiate Essay Writing, Quiz and Debate, and Athletics and Games Competitions. Our school participated in an Essay Writing Competition organized by the Science Club of College Of Education, Oro. The competition’s theme was : ‘The Importance Of Science In Secondary Schools.’ It is imperative to note that out of the thirty – eight participating secondary schools, Government Secondary School, Agbamu, ably represented by Master Olukoya Kayode, a form four student emerged as the winner of the competition. This is one out of a thousand early signals that shows that this new school is destined for greatness.
Shortly after the Athletics and Games Competition was a thorough, arduous and tedious WAEC Recognition Inspection of the school in preparation for May/June, 1980 WASC. We are very elated at the outcome of the inspection because our school performed creditably well. We are hopeful and highly optimistic that our first set of candidates in particular, the coming sets and future generations of candidates in general will by the grace of God, dint of hard work and the determination to excel come out in flying colours in the aforementioned external examinations.
My narrative will be an exercise in futility if I fail to stress the immense zeal, selfless sacrifices, tiredless efforts, substantial contributions and most importantly, the cooperation of my amiable Vice Principal, Mr W.A. Olajide, the academic and non – academic members of staff and my amazingly wonderful children, that is, our learners. Together, we made what initially seemed impossible, possible. May our labour of love and work not be in vain. Amen.
In conclusion, I would like to also profoundly appreciate the Editorial Board ably led by Mr Ayo Oyoze Baje, our young columnists, writers and reporters for this second publication of ‘Agbamu Echo’, our school’s official magazine the proverbial ‘lonely voice in the wilderness.’ Congratulations to you all and our noble institution.
I most sincerely wish every reader an interesting and insightful reading voyage into our new unfolding world with a lot of prospects.
Thank you, and God bless.
Mr. J.O. AdewumiÂ
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