HOMAJ Celebrates Black History Month

15 Mar

HOMAJ Secondary School had its career-cultural day tagged “The Power of the Inner You” to celebrate Black History Month. The event took place in the school hall on the 23rd of February 2016. It started with the Red Carpet session where invited schools and individuals took pictures with the invited speakers.

Dr. Mrs Remi Duyile and Students of HOMAJ Schools

The invited speakers were Mrs Remi Duyile, the keynote speaker who is a John Maxwell Certified Coach and Director for Continental African Diversity Leadership for the Maryland Democratic Party, Mr Owoeye Abolade who is a PhD candidate of Environmental Biology and Public Health, Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Mr Olayinka Ojo who is the founder of Purpose Driven Poet, and Miss Otemuyiwa Grace who is the Senior Prefect Girl. The school also invited other schools including Awosika College, Kevqueen Secondary School, St. Louis Grammar School, St. Monica Grammar School, Adeyemi College of Education Demonstration Secondary School and Hallmark Secondary School.

The event kicked off with the opening prayer, then the National and school anthem were song. This opening was coordinated by Akindoju Ayomide and Tobase Joy who were dressed in Hausa attire representing the North. Immediately after the anthem, the guest speakers were invited to the high table; Mr Adelokiki, PTA Chairman gave the opening remarks and officially began the event.

The Senior Girl, Otemuyiwa Grace, giving a brief Biography of Nigeria's Legends

SS3 student Akindoju Ayomide presented a spoken word piece. It told a story of slavery, how it has made us stronger and why we should remain proud to be blacks. Then, the school senior prefect girl, Otemuyiwa Grace, gave us a brief biography of Nigeria’s living legends who have given back to their community one way or the other. The list includes Kunle Adeyemi, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Helen Akinsemolu (the Proprietress of HOMAJ may, Olamide Orekunrin, Foyekemi Ikyaator, Chinyere Nwabugwu’s, Regoe Lovefans Alfredo-Durugo, Bennet Omalu , Nike Davies-Okundaye, Nneka Egbuna, Tunde Kelani, Kanu Nwankwo.

Dr. Mrs Remi Duyile Speaking About "THE POWER OF THE INNER YOU"

The keynote speaker Mrs Remi Duyile was introduced by Deborah Adepitan and Albert Gabriel who were dressed in their Yoruba attire representing the West. Mrs Remi Duyile then took over the stage to address the audience with her topic titled “THE POWER OF THE INNER YOU”. She started by explaining to us her “WHY” – her family origins and motivations - she spoke on how to develop our inner strengths. After her speech, the Yoruba dancers all dressed in their native attire and adorned with beads did a short cultural display.

Yoruba Cultural Dancers Performing on Stage

There was also a panel that included speakers like Mrs. Remi Duyile, Mr Kayode Akinmoladun (Vice Principal), Mr. Olayinka Ojo, Miss Ayodele Olubunmi, and Otemuyiwa Grace (Senior Girl). This was a session for questions and answers and also a time for interaction. The invited schools and individuals present asked a lot of questions which were answered accurately. Then the Ibo Cultural dancers came to entertain the crowd.

Igbo Cultural Dancers Performing after the Panel Seection

Mr. Owoeye Abolade Standing During His Recitation

Okeh Barry and Jude Urslar who were dressed in the Ibo attire representing the East introduced the next speaker Mr Owoeye Abolade. Mr Owoeye Abolade also spoke on “The Power Of The Inner You”, he encouraged the students and other youths present to discover themselves because it is what one thinks of himself that matters not what other people say. He also encouraged the crowd to believe in the power that dwells in us. The Purpose Driven Poets also made their presentation about being black and proud about it, the perils of slavery and and how we overcame.

Gabriel Albert and Adepitan Deborah introduced the third speaker Mr Olayinka Ojo. Mr Olayinka Ojo spoke on the topic “Discovering your Identity”, where he urged the crowd to know who they are, discover their talents and abilities. He saw it as a necessity in the pathway of discovering one’s identity. It was quite educative. There was a short Yoruba drama and also a short monologue drama which were performed by the students of the school.

The school’s principal Mr Kolebaje offered the closing remark. The school senior prefects Okeh Barry and Otemuyiwa Grace and the other eight students dressed in the various cultural attires said the vote of thanks.

The closing prayer was done by Miss Adeyoyinsola Modupe, which brought the program to an end.
Check out the pictures below: