By Kehinde Oluwatayo

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Jubilation and hand clapping galore yesterday when the multimillion naira gate of the Aquinas College, Akure was commissioned to mark the70th anniversary of the school.
Some of the old students of the college, including judges, top civil servants, lawyers, professors, medical doctors and journalists could not hide their joy as they entered through the gate which was donated by some of them.
Speaking at the event, the Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Most Revd Dr Jude Ayodeji Arogundade described Aquinas College as the dream of many young boys in those days because of its prestige and dignity but lamented the situation of the school in the last 20years when government took it over.
Arogundade regretted that there is no way any government across the world can solely educate the people.
He said the Diocese became troubled that the college has lost its glory which prompted him as the bishop to talk to former Governor Olusegun Mimiko that the school be handed over to the original owner.
He said the struggle continued when Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu came in adding that he was so happy when the governor made the pronouncement about a month ago that he was ready to return the school to its original owner.
He said most of the old students are doing well in their endeavour because of the discipline instilled in them when they were in the school.
Arogundade who said that standard would be set to ensure that the glory of the school is restored called on all and sundry to cooperate with the diocese for it to do what he knows how best to do.
He called on Nigerian leaders to put aside politics and work on the part of honour when it has to do with the good of the country.
The National President of Aquinas College Akure Old Students Association, Justice Olateru-Olagbegi said the association has every reason to be grateful to God.
He said most of the old students would have come but for the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the whole world.
He commended the Bishop of the Ondo Diocese who he said has been on the struggle of the return of schools to the mission in last eight years.
Chairman of 1976/1981 set, Otunba Sola Adewumi who donated the gate to the school said it was a way of giving back to the school that made them.
He said the gate cost him and his members a total of N12 million.
Earlier, a holy Mass was held at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Akure in appreciation of God’s goodness over the school and the old students.
The activities continues tomorrow with a mentoring talk for the students of the school.