BY OLUWARAISE-ME-UP
Ado-Ekiti came alive Friday, 26th–28th December, 2025, as the 1999–2005 set of Christ School Ado-Ekiti stormed the Ekiti State capital in a carnival-like atmosphere to celebrate their 20th anniversary with a colourful three-day programme filled with service, reunion and relaxation.
The anniversary celebration officially kicked off with a health talk and medical outreach designed to promote the welfare of members. The outreach featured free medical screenings, including blood pressure checks, random blood sugar tests and malaria parasite examinations, showing the set’s commitment to healthy living of their members .
Speaking at the event, the President of the set, Mr. Akinyemi Olaleye Omotunde, commended members for their love, dedication and unwavering support, which he said ensured the success of the three-day celebration. He noted that the anniversary was not merely for merriment but an avenue to give back to their alma mater, reconnect, reflect on shared memories and strengthen bonds that would positively impact members and society at large.
According to him, the 20th anniversary was organised in two phases. He explained that the first phase, held in June 2025, focused on Christ School and their former teachers. During that phase, the set paid NECO examination fees for 50 outstanding students—25 each from Christ School Boys and Christ School Girls—and rewarded some of their former teachers with cash gifts in appreciation of their dedication and sacrifices.
He added that the second phase centred on members’ welfare, which informed the choice of hypertension as the focus of the health talk, describing it as a silent but deadly ailment.
Delivering the health lecture, Nurse Olowoyeye Ayodele stressed the need for urgent and sustained attention in combating hypertension. He identified excessive salt intake, junk food consumption, poor stress management, genetic factors, smoking, alcohol intake, obesity and substance abuse as major causes of the condition.
He also highlighted warning signs such as severe headaches, nose bleeding, dizziness, chest pain, facial flushing, vomiting, breathing difficulties, restlessness, drowsiness and blurred vision, warning that untreated hypertension could lead to coma, heart failure, kidney failure or heart attack. The nurse advised members to adopt healthy lifestyles through balanced diets, adequate water intake of at least three litres daily, moderate fruit consumption, avoidance of saturated fats and oily foods, effective stress management and abstinence from alcohol. He cautioned against the use of herbal remedies due to dosage uncertainties, emphasizing professional medical consultation as the safest option.
Beyond health awareness, the celebration featured moments of fun and relaxation. Members engaged in indoor games and participated in a novelty match at Ball and Ball, Ado-Ekiti, keeping fit while reliving youthful camaraderie.
On Saturday, members converged at Kudies Royal Apartment for a grand dinner where they were treated to sumptuous meals and wine in a relaxed atmosphere. The evening provided an opportunity for laughter, bonding and reminiscing over old school memories, offering a welcome escape from the everyday challenges of life in Nigeria. Highlights of the dinner included the presentation of awards to executives and dedicated members who had shown exceptional commitment to the set’s goals. Award recipients included Engr. Aderonke Abiola, Dr. Mrs. Abibat Yusuf, Dr. Tumise Ayodele, among others.
The three-day celebration climaxed on Sunday with a thanksgiving service at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, led by the set’s president. Members expressed gratitude to God through songs and dance, celebrating divine faithfulness throughout their life journeys.
In his sermon, Ven. Dr. Simeon Ola Olajobi, preaching from Psalm 124, reminded members that the celebration was possible only by God’s grace. He charged them to remain steadfast in God’s service, live holy lives and avoid actions capable of truncating their destinies. He further encouraged the set to continue supporting God’s work and to extend educational assistance to current students of Christ School Ado-Ekiti.
In separate interviews, Mr. Omotunde expressed deep appreciation to members for their overwhelming support and called on those yet to fully key into the vision of the set to do so, noting that unity and collective effort would bring greater benefits to all.
The Chairman of the Planning Committee, Mr. Omowaye Gbenga Ebenezer, described the turnout as heart-warming, adding that the reunion rekindled friendships among classmates who had not seen each other since leaving school.
Other members, including Temitope Aremo and Oluyemi Omotomilola, thanked God for the privilege of witnessing the 20th anniversary and prayed for continued grace to support their alma mater and fellow members.
The three-day celebration ended on a joyful note, leaving participants fulfilled, rejuvenated and more united, with renewed commitment to service, friendship and the enduring legacy of Christ School Ado-Ekiti.