One of the prominent Ibadan indigenes, Chief Olabode Amao, will turn 90 on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, and in celebration of the eminent citizen, the Ibadan Boys High School Old Boys Association organised an event to celebrate him a few days ahead of the day Baba, as he is fondly called, will join the league of nonagenarians in the country.
The event tagged, ‘Time out with IBHS icons’, was held at the Oyesina Hall of the school, which is Amao’s alma mater located in the Oke Bola area of Ibadan.
Hundreds of old boys and current students were part of the celebration where several speakers paid flowing tributes to Amao.
Amao attended the event with his wife of 63 years, Christiana, who still radiates beauty as an octogenarian, as well as their children and other members of the family.
Baba was asked questions about his childhood and he told the gathering how he stood against the tradition of wife inheritance, which would have made his uncle to inherit his mother as his wife a year after the death of his father.
The National President of the IBHSOBA, Prof Adekunle Kunle-Olowu, told journalists that the old boys decided to celebrate Amao because of his unquantifiable commitment to the development of the school and humanity.
He said, “Many people in this country give only when they will get something back in return, but Baba gives without looking back. These are the kind of people we should emulate and celebrate.
“We don’t need to go to America, Britain or any country to get things done in this country. We are the ones who will make our country great.”
Some of those present at the event were the President-General of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Oluyemisi Adeaga; Prof Oluwole Akintayo; a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adekola Mustafa; and the current Principal of the IBHS, Dr Rasheed Fasasi, among others.
