By Akeem Salami
Akure Secondary Commercial School (ASCS) is preparing to celebrate its 60th anniversary with a week-long series of events.
The celebrations, scheduled from Monday, 13 January, to Sunday, 19 January 2025, will honour six decades of academic excellence and the school’s lasting impact on education in Ondo State.
The event, themed “60 Years of Excellence: Building a Legacy of Academic Leadership and Sustainable Innovation,” will showcase the achievements of the school and its alumni.
Speaking on behalf of the alumni, Prince Adebisi Adeniyi, Chairman of the Central Working Committee for the anniversary, paid tribute to the school’s founders, Chief Benjamin Franklin Adunlewa and Chief Mrs Ojumirijesu Adunlewa, whose vision led to the establishment of a specialised commercial education system tailored to the needs of a newly independent Nigeria.
Founded on 15 January 1965, ASCS has grown from its modest beginnings with fewer than 50 students to become a respected institution that has produced numerous successful professionals.
“This celebration is an acknowledgment of the unique vision that Akure Secondary Commercial School represents, and we, as beneficiaries of this great institution, feel it is our duty to celebrate 60 years of academic leadership, sustained development, and innovation,” Prince Adeniyi said.
The celebration will include a range of activities designed to engage both alumni and current students. Day one will feature the arrival and registration of alumni, as well as speeches from the committee chairman and the current principal. The following day, there will be a procession to the Deji’s Palace, highlighting the school’s longstanding relationship with the community.
Day three will feature the anniversary lecture, while day four will include a health talk, an inter-school debate, and a novelty football match. On day five, inter-house sports will promote a spirit of sportsmanship and healthy competition among students.
Saturday, 18 January, will be dedicated to unveiling a ten-year development plan for the school, focusing on further improvements leading up to the 70th anniversary in 2035. The day will also include the commissioning of projects spearheaded by various alumni groups, followed by a gala and awards night.
The week-long celebration will conclude on Sunday, 19 January, with a thanksgiving service, marking the culmination of 60 years of educational impact and community building.
In his address, Prince Adeniyi encouraged alumni to continue supporting their alma mater and emphasised the importance of unity and collaboration in sustaining the legacy of Akure Secondary Commercial School.
The alumni association also highlighted its contributions to the school’s development, including classroom renovations, student scholarships, and various infrastructural improvements. The body called on all members to embrace the anniversary celebrations as an opportunity to give back and help chart a path for the school’s future growth and success.