Titcombe College Old Students Honour Senator Karimi, Oba Oluokun, 9 Others, Launch Job Adewumi Annual Inter-Secondry Schools Soccer Competition
By Ralph Omololu Agbana
Titcombe College Egbe Old Students Association (TCEOSA) Class Set of 1978-1983 held its maiden homecoming and conference reunion in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, over the weekend, amidst bright sights and sounds.
The 1978-1983 Homecoming and Conference 2025, themed: “Reconnect, Rekindle, Reunite” was coming 42 years after the set graduated from the school.
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The proceedings, however, were anchored by members of the set who are homebased due to the prevailing security situation in the country.
Also, the activities were scaled down to kitting of the male and female soccer teams for the investiture of the Annual Dr Job Abiodun Adewumi Football Championship among male and female soccer teams in all secondary schools, starting in Egbe, as pilot scheme. Prizes such as trophies, medals, and awards were presented to the winning and participating teams, as well as outstanding individual players.
For Dr Job Abiodun Adewumi, a former teacher, principal and alumnus of Titcombe College, the set wrote in a tribute: “In recognition of his immeasurable impact on our lives and his enduring contribution to education in Egbe and beyond, we proudly establish the DR. JOB ABIODUN ADEWUMI CUP—an annual sporting
tournament for secondary schools in Egbe, featuring both male and female categories. Through this initiative, Dr. Adewumi’s name will continue to inspire excellence, sportsmanship, and the pursuit of greatness in generations yet unborn. This tournament stands as eternal proof that great
teachers never truly retire; they live on in the successes of those they mentored. We have also provided complete sport kits for both male and female students of our alma mater, ensuring
that Titcombe College continues to compete with pride and dignity. This investiture is our way of saying thank you—not just with words, but with action that will outlive us all.
Dr. Adewumi gave us wings when we had only dreams. He gave us direction when we wandered. He gave us
hope when circumstances whispered despair. Years from now, young athletes across Egbe will hold the Dr. Job Abiodun Adewumi Cup high, and they will ask, “Who was this great man?” The answer they receive will be a testimony that we were students who never forgot the teacher who believed in them.”
A major highlight of the 1978-1983 Set Homecoming was the presentation of awards to distinguished individuals recognized for their various contributions to the progress of Titcombe College, who included Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Sunday Steve Karimi, Oba of Ijalu and immediate past President of TCEOSA, HRH Oba (Engr) Steve Olayemi Sunday Oluokun and former Titcombe College Agriculture Science teacher, Chief David Oyekunle Oladipo.
Senator Karimi was honoured with “Distinguished Alumnus Award” while Engr Oluokun and Chief Oladipo received “Outstanding Leadership Award” and “Reverred Mentor and Foundational Pillar Award”, respectively.
Other awardees are: Bernard Adesina (Distinguished Service Award); Adekunle Sulaiman Olusegun Onilenla (Selfless Service Award); Elder Samuel Korede Oniya (Selfless Service Award); Dr Olatunde Mark Owoyele (Distinguished Service Award); Dr Olusesan Ibitomi (Distinguished Service Award); Solomon Rotimi Fejuku (Distinguished Service Award); Dr Olusola Sunday Olulope (Selfless Service Award) and NWO Retired (Nigeria Navy), Aro Stephen (Distinguished Service Award).
President of the set, Engr (Prof) Kayode Joshua Simonyan expressed gratitude to God for the success of the outing and prayed for God’s intervention in the security situation in the area and country as a whole.
In his presidential address, Simonyan expressed immense joy and pride to welcome his colleagues home to Titcombe College, Egbe, for what he described as “historic maiden homecoming and Conference of the 1978/1983
Set”.
Continuing, he said: “As you return to the grounds where our foundations were laid and lifelong friendships were forged, we celebrate not just a reunion, but a homecoming of hearts and minds shaped by the values of excellence, integrity, and service. Over four decades have passed since you walked these halls as students, yet the bonds you formed and the lessons you learned remain as strong as ever. This gathering is a testament to the enduring spirit of Titcombe College and the remarkable individuals it has produced. Your achievements in various fields of
endeavor continue to make the college proud and inspire current students to reach for greatness.
“The theme of this year’s homecoming Reconnect, Rekindle, Reunite” encapsulates our mission. We are here to reconnect with old friends and our cherished school, rekindle the bonds of camaraderie that time and distance may have weathered, and Reunite to forge a new legacy of impactful support for Titcombe College and for our own members”.
He added, “As you reconnect with old friends, reminisce about shared memories, and create new ones, may this
homecoming strengthen our bonds and reignite the passion that has driven our success. We look forward
to three days filled with laughter, reflection, and renewed commitment to the ideals that unite us all. Welcome home, Dear alumni. May our time here be memorable and enriching! With warmest regards and best wishes for a successful homecoming”.
On Sunday, two separate thanksgivings were held at 1st and 2nd ECWA Church, Egbe to cap the three-day event— from 20th to 23rd November, 2025.
In his message during the thanksgiving service held at First ECWA Church, a member of the Local Oganizing Committee (LOC), Elder Samuel Korede Oniya sought prayer support from the church members for the set and their alma mater, Titcombe College in particular for divine intervention, guidance and protection. This, he noted, is in view of the rising insecurity in the area and across the country, amidst recent reports of criminals targeting schools and school children for abduction.
Elder Oniya, who presented the sum of N100,000 to the church on behalf of his set, appealed to residents and members of the community to report any suspicious movements and individuals to the Egbe Security Committee. He admonished every individual to always be security conscious as security is everybody’s business.
*Letter of Appreciation*
We wish to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to all those who made our homecoming event, especially the Dr. Job Adewumi Soccer competition, a success. We sincerely appreciate the Principal and the Sport Committee for coordinating the tournament.
We are especially grateful to our home-based colleagues who anchored all the events due to the challenging security conditions. We thank the National Executives, ably led by Dr. Ruth Abiola Adimula, for supporting our investiture of Dr. Job Abiodun Adewumi Soccer tournament in all secondary schools (male and female) in Egbe.
To all our members who contributed financially to the success of this event, we thank you. Above all, we thank Almighty God for His protection and provision.
*●TCEOSA Class Set of 1978-1983*
