Three decades after attending Igbobi College, Yaba, the 1996 Set of alumni members have celebrated their 30th post-graduation anniversary under the theme: ’30 Shades of Grace.’
The reunion beautifully blended thanksgiving, nostalgia, and a challenge to current students to carry the Igbobi torch into the future.
Coordinated by the Set’s 30th Anniversary Celebration Committee, the event drew alumni from across Nigeria, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and other parts of the diaspora.
Events began a day earlier with the Legacy Games and culminated in a beautiful thanksgiving service at the School Chapel, followed by impactful donations to the school.
The theme: ’30 Shades of Grace’ was deliberately chosen, according to the Set Chairman, Mr. Mukoro Mirahraine, to reflect the diverse paths members have taken since 1996 and the common thread of divine favor that has sustained them.
He noted that for a set of boys who entered the College in 1990 during a turbulent period in Nigeria’s education sector and graduated in 1996 into an uncertain economy, the anniversary was as much about reflection as it was about celebration.
In his address to the congregation-which included former teachers, school management, and friends of the alumni during the thanksgiving service at the school chapel-Mukoro said the anniversary was not about self-congratulation but about acknowledging grace.
‘Thirty years is not a small journey,’ he said. ‘Some of us came to Igbobi as timid boys from different parts of the country. We left as men shaped by discipline, by competition, by the khaki uniform, and by teachers who demanded excellence. Today we are doctors, engineers, pilots, lawyers, astute journalists, entrepreneurs, public servants, and fathers.
‘The common denominator in all of that is grace. That is why our theme is ’30 Shades of Grace’. We have seen grace in our health, in our families, in our careers, and in the opportunity to come back and give back.’
The chapel resounded with hymns familiar to generations of College students, including ‘Praise, My Soul, The King of Heaven,’ ‘Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine,’ ‘To God be the Glory,’ ‘Now Thank We All Our God,’ and the iconic school anthem.
In his sermon, the Vice Principal (Administration), Rev. Olajide Semako, urged the alumni to continue to be examples of integrity and service, reminding them that Igbobi’s reputation was built not only on academic performance but on character.
Leaving a Lasting Legacy: Scholarships and Facilities
True to the spirit of giving back, the Set announced strategic plans to embark on projects aimed at improving facilities and supporting students. Key among the immediate donations was the refurbishment of the school bell at the assembly ground.
The set also pledged to establish the ICOBA ’96 Set Scholarship Fund, targeting indigent but academically gifted students in SS2 and SS3. Beneficiaries will receive comprehensive support covering Tuition fees and Textbooks
Speaking during the presentation, the Set Chairman noted that giving back was a core part of the anniversary blueprint.
‘We did not want this to be a party alone,’ he said. ‘We wanted to leave something behind that will outlive us. Every time a boy receives that scholarship, the ICOBA ’96 Set will be remembered. That is legacy.’
The Principal of the College, Venerable Joseph Oyewale Adediji, expressed deep appreciation on behalf of the school management and the ICOBA national body. He described the ICOBA ’96 Set as one of the most proactive in recent years and urged other sets to emulate their example.
‘Alumni support has become critical to maintaining standards in our public schools,’ Venerable Adediji said. ‘When old boys return with projects, mentorship, and resources, they lighten the burden on the government and inspire the boys currently in the system.’
The highpoint of the pre-anniversary activities was the Legacy Games on Saturday, June 20-a sporting event designed to connect the Set with alumni sets of other institutions from the same graduation year. The ICOBA ’96 Set alumni team faced off against the Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Abeokuta alumni, in football and track events at the College sports field.
The choice of opponent was deeply symbolic. Many members of the ’96 Set fondly recalled intense inter-school competitions with rival institutions like Kings College, St. Gregory’s College (Obalende), St. Finbarr’s College (Akoka), Baptist Academy (Obanikoro), and Eko Boys High School (Mushin) during their time at Igbobi.
The football match revived old rivalries in a great spirit of camaraderie, ending in a 2-1 win for Igbobi. Remarkably, one of the match-winning goals was scored by an alumnus who had previously played for the school team back in 1995.
The football match created moments of immense laughter as the near-50-year-old men tried to keep pace with their youthful spirits.
Mr. Deji Ogunnubi, who coordinated the sporting activities, noted: ‘We wanted the spectators to see us not just as old men in suits, but as people who once wore the same uniform, ran on the same track, and sat in the same classrooms. Sports taught us teamwork, and we wanted to pass that message on.’
Following the thanksgiving service, members of the set gathered in the famed Rev. Angus Memorial Hall for a grand lunch and an emotional reminiscence session. Microphones were passed around as alumni vividly recalled life at the College in the early 1990s.
The stories varied between day students and boarders, but the core memories were universally shared. Several alumni spoke about the early morning trek from Yaba and Surulere for day students, the strict lights-out rule in the hostels, the intense pressure of mock exams, and the historical rivalry with Kings College and Methodist Boys’ High School.
An alumnus and Chairman of the 30th Anniversary Celebration Planning Committee, Mr. Olakunle Iyantan, recalled how the school’s cadet corps shaped his discipline. ‘We complained about the drills then,’ he said to roaring laughter. ‘But today, I run an air ticketing company, and the ability to wake up early, follow instructions, and lead a team-all of that started right here.’
Another alumnus and Past Chairman Mr. Oyindamola Ogunojemite (popularly referred to as Dambaski), described the unbreakable bonds formed in the dormitories.
‘We had no mobile phones, no internet. We had each other,’ Okoh recalled. ‘We had prep at night, we had ‘wondering’ after prep, and we had teachers like Mr. Ambali who would cane you for not doing your assignment. We also had Mr. Oladele Akinbohunje (aka Master), who was a deeply loving and caring teacher. And of course, the games master, whom we referred to as Bros Okoh. He would shout your name all the way from his quarters, tell everyone in the junior class to take a nap, and could flog from JSS1 to JSS3! That was the true Igbobi experience.’
Reflecting on the milestone, the Secretary of the Set, Mr. Anazia Daniel, summarized the essence of the reunion:
”30 Shades of Grace’ reminds us that our stories are different, but our source is the same. Some of us faced severe illness and survived. Some started businesses that failed before they succeeded. Some lost loved ones. But here we are, 30 years later, standing in the same chapel where we once prayed before exams. That is grace. And grace, once received, must be shared. That is why we are giving back to Igbobi today, and why we will keep coming back. We are not just celebrating 30 years; we are committing to the next 30.’
A solemn roll call of classmates who had passed away since graduation was read, and a moment of silence was observed, followed by a heartfelt prayer in their honor.
As part of their forward-looking post-event plan, the ICOBA ’96 Set announced a structured mentorship programme that will pair alumni with current SS2 and SS3 students interested in careers spanning medicine, engineering, law, and technology. The set also pledged to return periodically for career talks and to financially support the school’s debate and quiz teams ahead of national competitions.
Furthermore, members were encouraged to stay closely connected through the set’s digital platforms and to actively participate in future national ICOBA projects, including ongoing efforts to support the school’s state-of-the-art STEM lab.
By seamlessly combining thanksgiving, recreation, and tangible investments, the Class of ’96 ensured that their celebration extended far beyond mere nostalgia. As the alumni departed the College later in the evening, many stopped to take photographs at the school gate, the assembly hall, and the chapel.
For many, it was the first time stepping onto the campus grounds in decades. For Igbobi College, it was a beautiful reminder that the Igbobi spirit never fades with time.