By Akinnodi Francis, Ondo

Ondo Boys’ High School, Ondo, has clinched the football title at the 86th edition of the prestigious AIONIAN Festival of Sports and Academic Competitions.

The tournament, tagged “ONDO 2025,” saw the host, Ondo House, edged out Imade College (Owo House) with a 2-1 victory in the final match held at the Ondo Boys’ High School Sports Complex, Ondo.

Speaking at the event, President-General of Ondo Boys’ High School (OBHS) Alumni, Pastor Engr. Khalil Akinboboye, highlighted the unifying role of the AIONIAN festival in fostering growth among participating schools.

L-R: Secretary, OBHS AIONIAN festival 2025 Team, Mr Mojeed Akinkolie; Prof. Nelson Osungbemiro; former Principal OBHS, Mr. Adeyemi Temidayo and Principal, OBHS, Dr. Adebayo Famakinwa

“My message to us is to constantly focus on our strengths and opportunities. This should be seen in our delivery as we use the AIONIAN festival to foster unity and consistent enhancement in the education and sporting activities of AIONIAN group of schools.

“Like the OBHS anthem emphasised on ‘beauty all around when there is love at home,’ we should use this caption at all times and continue to manifest excellence and productivity in all our endeavours.”

AIONIAN chief, Mr. Sunday Masanwo, Vice Chairman, OBHS AIONIAN festival, Mr. Remigius Akinbinu and President General, Pastor Khalil Akinboboye at the event

Chairman of the OBHS AIONIAN 2025 Planning Team, Chief Victor Awosika, described the festival as a grand reunion, rooted in the vision of Rev. Canon Moses Craig Akinpelumi Adeyemi.

“At St. Andrew’s College, Oyo, he ignited the spark of an annual brotherhood game, a legacy that has danced through nearly a century. His vision, a beacon, united his colleagues, birthing the brotherhood of AIONIAN schools in 1930. Let us continue to honour the memory of our founding fathers, who are the true MVPs of our enduring tradition.”

Vice-Chairman of the OBHS AIONIAN 2025 Planning Team, Barrister Remigius Akinbinu, reminisced on his participation in the AIONIAN games, recalling his journey from Ondo Boys’ High School to Oduduwa College.

AIONIAN chiefs in a group photograph at the event

“I later attended Oduduwa College and played for them in the AIONIAN, also captaining the team in 1985. To the glory of God, this is about 43 years after I have left Ondo Boys’ High School, I am highly excited that this same AIONIAN games that I played in and travelled for is still running.

“We are still doing it, still featuring the same schools, same competitions. I feel like a young man again, I feel like I am there again doing AIONIAN games and the sense of belonging is high. We should not forget that our secondary school days contributed greatly to our valued lives and accomplishments.”

Akinbinu urged students to take sports seriously alongside their education, noting that sports remain a tool for unity and a great source of wealth.

AIONIAN chiefs in a group photograph at the event

The Hope reports that the participating schools included Abeokuta Grammar School (Abeokuta House), Ijebu-Ode Grammar School (Ijebu-Ode House), Ibadan Grammar School (Ibadan House), Ondo Boys’ High School (Ondo House), Oduduwa College (Oduduwa House), Ilesa Grammar School (Ilesa House), and Remo Secondary School (Remo House). Others are Imade College (Owo House), Victory College Ikare (Ikare House), Yewa Egbado College (Yewa House), Manuwa Memorial Grammar School (Manuwa House), and Gbongan/Ode-Omu Anglican High School (Gbongan House).

Ondo Boys High School (OBHS) football team

The name AIONIAN was derived from the initials of the founding schools, Abeokuta (A), Ijebu-Ode (I), Ondo (ON), and Ibadan (I) with AN added for adjectival effect. Over time, the membership expanded to 12 schools.

In the match pass event, Ondo Boys’ High School emerged first, while Ilesa Grammar School and Abeokuta Grammar School finished second and third, respectively.

Cross section of schools during the match past at the event

Other competition results include: 100m Boys: Ondo Boys’ High School secured first place, followed by Remo Secondary School in second and Victory College Ikare in third.

4×100m Boys: Ondo Boys’ High School claimed the top spot, with Imade College, Owo, and Ijebu-Ode Grammar School finishing second and third, respectively.