EXPOSITORY: STRANGE REMARKS OF OGUNYE ON OLUSANYA @ 80

THE STRANGE REMARKS OF OGUNYE ON OLUSANYA 80th BIRTHDAY On The 5th of August 2020: read the full speech here

06 : 08 : 2020

By

Professor A. F. Ogunye, MC467

We, the first generation of students that attended Molusi College Ijebu-Igbo, were brought up with a culture of never to address our seniors with any title except ‘’Senior’’ hence the icon we are celebrating today, Senior Stephen Olusegun Olusanya, entered Molusi College in January 1953, member of the Quinti Set, with Molusi College Number 267 while I entered in January 1956 with College Number 467. He was three years my senior.

Senior Olusanya was the youngest in his class and the smallest also. Some of his living classmates are 85 and above now. No wonder, he entered Molusi College at a young age because his mother was a school teacher of the Ogunbanjo DNA. In those days the elite of our society were the teachers, the clergy and the sanitary inspectors. Our dresses at Molusi were made of white and Khaki materials. The qualities of my senior materials were of high quality from the other students signifying he was from an affluent family. Which he was The son of ‘’S OLU’’. S OLU, the great transporter of our time and one of the four members of Oba Adeboye inner caucus and the mother from the Ogunbanjo’s lineage. Hence, he was born with silver spoon in his mouth.

I would have loved he mentored me at Molusi. Whoever mentored you became your College father and today, we still call those that mentored us our school daddy.

He was one of the mathematics gurus of his class. The set that completed the Cambridge Overseas School Certificate Examination in December 1957 and left Molusi. He was one of the lucky ones that passed the Cambridge School Certificate Examination taken in December 1957 creditable well. The overall result of the class was below average.

He Studied at home mostly and passed his professional Accounting Examinations; before he went to London School of Economics, University of London for a Master degree. Senior Olusanya influence started to grow after his Masters degree working in different ministries of the Federal Government where he made a lot of contacts.

He epitomises our school song:

‘’For Molusians shall lead in every work of life

In church, In State.

At Bar, At School

In Commerce, in Service,

In Every work of life’’.

In Commerce: Senior Olusanya is the leader. He is a silent personality in the banking industry and manufacturing industries where he continues to serve as Director and/or Chairman of the Board of Directors.

A SUPPORTIVE PERSONALITY: If my senior likes you, he will give you his support to the maximum. During the 2005 ascension to the throne of Abijaparako resulting in some deaths in Japara. The other side of the conflict complained to the police that I was the Mastermind because they saw me in town during the day not knowing that by premonition, I returned to Lagos that night. Ten people were to be arrested but for the signal the DPO in Ijebu-Igbo sent to Abeokuta, the rest were arrested leaving me. During the crisis he supported and warned me not to be outside my house after 8;00pm. To enforce the 8:00pm rule, he would phone my landline every 8:00pm daily. What a love for me. He also supported me financially to pay the lawyer’s fee for the other nine in Police custody.

A QUIET PHILLANTROPIST: When I was appointed the Pro Rector of Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, there were no structures on ground to support the new tertiary institution. I fell back on the wealthiest from Ijebu-Igbo to help. It was only Snr. Olusanya and later, late Papa Abayo Adeyemi, that came out to help We named the building after Madam Olusanya. There was no fanfare during the foundation laying. He was represented by his best friend and classmate Snr Remi Rowaiye.

Similarly, he supplied classrooms furniture to the Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School when the Principal came for help during the Congress of Ijebu-Igbo Community, the Congress he was once the Chairman, meeting.

A TRUE MOLUSIAN: My Senior is a great financier of MOCOSA –Molusi College Old Students Association. His Contributions to Molusi College are innumerable. He single handedly renovated the old Administrative Block during the Golden Jubilee Celebration. Through his friendship with Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Alhaji Dangote re-roofed the Science Block building. His Contributions to Molusi are numerous. His direct contribution to the renovation of Awokoya Building, furnishing of classrooms of recent and more and more.

Senior as I always tell you, If I were 10% as wealthy as yourself, I would have built many structures in my name at Molusi. You are now 80; you have been blessed by God with good children whom you have given good education- Halleluyah! Let us feel your presence more and more in Molusi before you join your ancestors.

Senior we shall Celebrate 85, 90 and more, with you in good health and more prosperity in Jesus Mighty Name Amen.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY.