At a period when mortality rate in Nigeria is reported to be between 45 and 48 years, reaching 80 years of age is some sort of achievement. But Pa Christian Francis Ipoola Olaniyan, former Commissioner of Establishment in the old Oyo State and the proprietor of Victory Group of Schools, said his long life is due to the special Grace of God. The veteran teacher, who has spent about 55 years in the classroom, spoke to AJIBOLA AMZAT and LAOLU ADEYEMi at his Ikeja office where one of his schools, Victory High School is located.AT 80, Pa Olaniyan neither walks with supporting cane nor does he peer the world behind a pair of broad glasses; Monday to Friday, the octogenarian ascends the staircase to his office at the first floor of the Victory High School building, Ikeja where he attends to files, many of them from the group of schools he owns both in Lagos and Ode-Omu, Osun State. That routine would be a herculean task to many of his peers: male or female, who, in their 80s, are already tired, jaded, vulnerable and senile.With the sapping economy, decaying infrastructure, and rising security challenge, Nigeria is hardly an idyllic place to live in good health, let alone, live to be 80. In spite of these conditions, Pa Olaniyan attributes his youthfulness and longevity to the grace of God and genetics. 'Youthfulness runs in my family even with my grandchildren.'Being a teacher for several decades in places that were not then touched by the residue of civilization such as Ode-Omu, could also have contributed to the healthy life enjoyed by Olaniyan. But the greater joy come from teaching, the profession he loves greatly and has practiced for 55 years.'I could not have done anything else. As at the time I was in school, the few graduates I knew were just the principals, vice principals, and teachers. There were few of them, and I just wanted to be like them. Our vice principal at that time was Mr. Gesinde, whenever he put on that beautiful gown and hood to take photographs, you as a young boy would feel that you need to be like them. So, naturally it was my ambition to become either a teacher or an engineer.'As a student, Olaniyan was the darling of his teachers. 'I was very good in class and when I came first in standard six, Christ Anglican Church gave me scholarship. I had a very smooth secondary education. By 1949, I had taken my Cambridge school certificate, which I normally could have taken in 1950. I also passed that very well, and was exempted from matriculating. This means that I did well in Mathematics, English and Latin, and by that feat, you will have automatic admission to any University you wanted in Britain or any of the Commonwealth countries.'Therefore, after his B.A degree from Durham University, and Higher Diploma in Education at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, the young Olaniyan arrived Nigeria in July 1957 to be employed as Vice Principal, Gbogan'Odemu Anglican Grammar School, Odeomu Osun State.In 1960, he became the founding principal, Christ Apostolic Grammar School, Ibadan; the founding Principal Hope Memorial Grammar School, Ibadan, 1965 and the 5th Principal of Oriwu College, the following year. 'I was about the youngest school principal in the entire Western region then.'Pa Olaniyan's joy in life also springs from the impact he had on the children put in his custody. 'I was surrounded by gifted but underprivileged children who come from different homes. The joy of watching those children grow up fills my heart with joy.'Some of those children who passed through his tutelage of include Professor Abioye of the French Department, University of Lagos (UNILAG); the late Professor Afolayan; Mr. Okewunmi, former registrar of UNILAG; Dr. Omoniyi Fagbemi, and a host of others.Today, the group of schools owned by Olaniyan, includes Victory High School, Ikeja, Victory Home School, Ikeja, Victory Institute of Catering and Hotel Management, Victory Home School, Odeomu, Victory Home School, Ojota, Victory Grammar School, Ikeja and Victory College, Odeomu.'When I was starting out, my idea was to run one secondary school like Tai Solarin.' This plan changed when he realized there are many more young Nigerians hungry for education than the number of schools available to accommodate them.But his training as a teacher at Dublin had already prepared him to be a successful school proprietor. Recalling the memory of his days in Dublin, Olaniyan said those were the days of intense discrimination against the people of black skin in United Kingdom. 'The white man never wanted to sit by your side in the public bus regardless of your status. You a graduate dressed in coat and all, much neater than the white guy who is probably a cleaner somewhere, but he avoids you like a leper in the bus because you are black. If you are very sensitive you wouldn't like it.'His journey into politics began in the 70s when he was invited to represent his community, Ayedade Local Council in the Assembly.'Then, I was the only graduate in the community, so the community chose me, and that was how I got into politics.'He was the leader of the senatorial district comprising Ogbomosho, Ejigbo and Ayedade local governments, the director of the Nigerian Bank for Commerce and Industry (1980-83), Commissioner for Establishment and Training, old Oyo State Government, among others, until the military coup in 1983.His schools were later to be appropriated by the government under the free education policy of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) government in the Southwest then. When schools were returned to owners in 2001, the old teacher went back to business.To keep fit, Olaniyan said he loved playing Tennis until he turned 70 when he switched to playing Table Tennis. 'All I do to keep fit now is to walk around the compound of my house,' he said.The octogenarian says he also takes fruits and vegetables. 'I don't drink alcohol and I don't smoke. Once you are able to have satisfaction and contentment, and you love everybody, you stand a chance of living long,'A lover of music and dance, Pa Olaniyan established a dancing club, which his wife also attended with him. Because of his philanthropy, he was conferred with the title of the order of Knighthood of Good Samaritan.Asked if there were things he would do differently, given another chance, he says, 'I don't think I have anything that I regret because I just feel that the hand of God was in everything I have done so far. When I look back I wonder how I managed to get here.'As a young man I was very truthful and dynamic, I took many risks and most of the things I did just happened. It was later when I became much mature that I realized that certainly it was the hand of God. Right from the start when I was establishing my school, I begin to wonder how I got the money to get large acres of land for my projects. There was even a time, some land agents took me to court over my landed properties but I was vindicated. At a point, we had to settle out of court just for me to achieve my dream. My long-term vision to establish the school informed my decision. I settled the case out of court and gave scholarships to the children of that community. We also had to let go some part of the land then. Justice Ademola, the first indigenous Chief Justice of Nigeria presided on the case.'At 80, Pa Olaniyan is satisfied with the feat he has attained and he wouldn't ask God for more, even if he were to meet Him. 'By nature, I'm satisfied with where I find myself. I will only thank Him for where he has placed me and be grateful. Though I am not a national figure, I have impacted my immediate community positively. I have been able to play a very good part, be it in the church or the community at large. I've been doing my best to support my church and I have been giving scholarships to brilliant students from my community. I invite some of them down to Lagos to allow them have an experience of a City school. I'm very contended with my situation. In fact, it's probably one of the things that kept me till date. In my life, contentment is one of the major things I have prayed for and I have been praying that my children will not be too ambitious too. I believe in moderate life and I wish many Nigerian youths emulate this. Getting satisfied with what you have got enables you to live long.'Olaniyan believes whatever he has achieved in life is due to dint of hard work and trust in God. 'Whatever result you are going to get in life depends on effort input and God. As a teacher and principal, I love children and I was queried why I like walking with them, I replied that it is because I love children. Some people came round and didn't know that I am proprietor of the school because of my familiarity with the students.The proprietor, who says he loves to be surrounded by children, encouraged youths to have the fear of God, saying it is the beginning of wisdom. 'Youths should ensure they pray always for the nation to be better and shouldn't be over ambitious and greedy like many of our leaders who steal public fund. You just have to satisfy your normal needs, you don't have to have billions here and there, which you don't need. Be contended; it is very important. If you are contended, you will be able to sleep soundly with less worries.'Pa Olaniyan is happily married and blessed with children and grandchildren.
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