My aspiration is to have a Nursery and Primary school where pupils will have the best of education they can get anywhere- Bayo Fatokun@50

Golden anniversary celebration is usually an opportunity for thanksgiving to God Almighty for preservation of life and for the modest achievements. It is equally an opportunity for stock-taking, evaluation, refocusing and restrategising.

It is with this mindset of reflection and appreciation that Mr Bayode Fatokun, a 1999/ 2000 graduate of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta used the opportunity of his golden anniversary to thank God Almighty and renewed his commitments to humanity.

Born fifty years ago specifically on 16th July 1973 in the ancient city of Ibadan at Salvation Army Road, Ekotedo, Bayo as he is fondly called by his friends recalled that the area where he grew up was known for different categories of crimes and social vices but he survived them all.

” I was born and grew up at Salvation Army Road, Ekotedo, Ibadan. At that time, the area was known for different categories of crimes and criminalities but God Almighty saw me through”

“I started my adventure into education from Bàbà Teacher’s lesson, which we call jẹle o sinmi at that time simply meaning an opportunity for the parents to have peace at home by sending their wards out of the house. From then to Ebenezer African Primary School, Salvation Army Road where I completed my primary school education in the year 1985.

According to Bayo Fatokun, he would have loved to attend the prestigious Government College , Apata, Ibadan but ended up attending Community Grammar School, Mokola, Ibadan due financial status of his parents.

ValidViewNetwork reports that Government College, Apata, Ibadan was one of the highly sought after schools by the elites and the well-to-do at that time for male children while St Louis Grammar School, Mokola, Ibadan was highly sought after for female children of the movers and shakers of the society at that time. Both schools were also known for academic excellence with laurels in their kitty. Perhaps, if Bayo had been a female, she would have ended up at St. Louis Grammar School. Not many pupils could qualify to gain admission to Government College at the time which confirms that Bayo was a brilliant and diligent boy.

“I sat for the common entrance examination and I was offered admission at the prestigious Government College, Apata, Ibadan fondly called GCI, but because it was far from our house, my parents didn’t allow me to go because of the daily transport fare involved, a decision which still hurt me till date!

My admission was then transferred to a much closer Community Grammar School, Mokola Ibadan, which I could trek to and fro daily. From Salvation Army to Mokola, still not a short distance ( Laughter). I became a prefect, A Mail Prefect right from SS 2.

Recalling life staying at home after completion of WASCE in 1991, he asserted that it was tough and almost frustrating.

“After my secondary school education in 1991, I couldn’t secure admission up until 1994 when I was offered admission for a pre-degree program at University of Agriculture Abeokuta and upon completing the program, I was offered an admission to study Forestry and Wildlife Management, a course I knew nothing about at the time. I remember my father would ask me almost every time I came home for my monthly allowance, “where can you work with this course of yours? ” , most times I struggled to reply because I just didn’t want to stay another year at home seeking admission”

Life at the Isale Igbein campus of the University of Agriculture Abeokuta was great fun that one can never forget. I met new friends and most importantly my right hand guys, Fenuga E. A, Lekuti B. L, Samaye Olaide, Oso Olaoluwa and Toye George. My colleague, Ogunjobi Kayode popularly known as Amino later became the President of the Students Union, and we became closer.

Sharing the experiences of his University days with ValidViewNetwork, Bayo Fatokun believes it was all fun despite the challenges.

We had great fun in the University. With my guys, there was never a dull moment. However, one major event I will never forget in my life happened during our IT in 400 level, second semester.

“As part of the curriculum of the University, we went to a village in Area J4 side. I went to buy sugar to soak Garri as usual for students, where I met a lady and we got talking. I was happy to hear that she was from Kogi State where my mum actually came from. I never knew that she was married. I left my N20 change for her. That was what got me into a hot water.

I guess her husband saw the money which was too much for her at the time and he was not comfortable with what ever she might have told him. On going back there the second time, I was apprehended by the whole villagers and my fellow students came around to rescue me.

Something that also struck me about the event was that my shoes were taken from me before my colleagues came, they robbed certain charm on it, when orderliness was restored, I was so afraid to put on the shoe, but one of us Shamsideen Oyebode took the shoe, prayed on it and put it on. Even after he removed them, I was still afraid to put them on. Since that day, Shamsideen earned my respect even though we are of different faith, I always make him a point of reference till date.

In the opinion of Bayo Fatokun, the NYSC program provided an opportunity for him to have one of his best moments till date.

“After graduation, I was posted to Edo State, and my PPA was Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources where I had one of the best moments of my life.

Within that service year, I enrolled at Ambrose Alli University for a Diploma certificate in Computer Science”

Bayo Fatokun who is presently the Head of ICT Department of The Lord’s Seeds, Lagos is happily married to a pretty Ghanaian woman and they are blessed with wonderful children. He loves exploring, listening to music and travelling. He has been to different counties among which are UAE, South Africa, Senegal, Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic.

My passion and drive is to share my knowledge with people especially the little ones because I believe in that saying ‘Catch them young. When I look at them I see children with big dreams and aspirations, so I want to help them fulfil their dreams.

At 50, looking forward to greater heights ahead, Bayo Fatokun believes that he is committed to impacting knowledge particularly to younger ones as this gives him joy. He is determined to produce great scholars that can compete with anyone in the world.

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“My aspiration is to have a Nursery and Primary school where pupils will have the best of education they can get anywhere.”

I strongly believe that this is achievable. I believe that impossibly is dead and buried and that with God and determination nothing is impossible. This informs my choice of role model in Professor Ogunjimi Adekunle. His words : “My role model is Professor Ogunjimi Adekunle, he was a my classmate in the university, I wish I was closer to him when we were in school. His life journey is my motivation and drive, that nothing is ever too late”.

At 50, I want to serve God the more, love my family the more and be more committed to humanity. When I was younger, I used to believe that the more you are nice to everyone, the more they will like you but now I know better, and this has formed my philosophy about life that “What ever you do, you do unto yourself”.