Adediran Bows Out of Teaching Service

By Olawale Olalekan

After more than three decades of dedicated service in the classroom, Comrade Adediran Olusegun, the immediate past principal of St. Philip’s Anglican Grammar School, Arubidi, Ile-Ife was on Friday officially retired from the teaching profession.

The retirement ceremony, held at the school’s assembly drew teachers, staff, students, education officials, union members, principal’s, Parents’ Teachers Association, family and community leaders who gathered to celebrate a career many described as “impactful and inspiring.”

Adediran, who is the state chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) joined the teaching service in the early 1990s, rose through the ranks from classroom teacher to principal, a position he held until her retirement. Under his leadership, the school recorded notable improvements in academic performance, discipline, and extracurricular achievements.

Speaking, the principal, Mr Adeleke Babatunde described Adediran as a man whose contributions to the school cannot be quantified, adding his humility and contributions would be remembered.

“He is committed and dedicated to duty. He distributed learning materials to the indigent students and promised to bring more in his personal capacity. Adediran has paid his due to the job. He would be missed.

“He has good cordial relationship with members of staff and this would continue in the school. I pray he would continue to do good as he is doing. Let’s see ourselves as family”, Babatunde said.

Tributes poured in from members of staff, ASUSS members who praised his firm but compassionate leadership style, described him as “a mentor who led by example and always put students first.”

Students also paid tribute through cultural displays, and songs. “He taught us discipline, integrity, and confidence,” said Senior Prefect.

Members of ANCOPSS commended Adediran’s contributions to public education and urged young teachers to emulate his commitment and professionalism.

In his farewell address, an emotional Adediran thanked colleagues, students, and community for the opportunity to serve. “Teaching was never just a job for me; it was a calling,” he said. “Every child I taught shaped me as much as I shaped them.”

Although bowing out of active service, Adediran hinted that retirement would not mark the end of his involvement in education.

As the curtains close on a distinguished teaching career, many agree that Adediran leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered long after her final bell rung.