The St. Finbarr’s College Old Boys Association, Class of 1985 (SFCOBA ’85), has planned to reunite after 40 years of leaving the school.
The reunion celebration scheduled for Saturday, December 13 2025, at the school premises, will mark a new beginning for the old classmates.
For the Class the reunion is not only a milestone, but a reflection on the journey from the school classrooms of the mid-1980s to the diverse professional fields spanning all sectors of the economy.
Statement
The Public Relations Officers of the Class, Mr Gracious Akintayo and the Chairman, anniversary planning committee, Kayode Adesiyan in a statement r said, “We’ve come a long way, while some of our classmates have sadly passed on, many are thriving in different fields of endeavours. This anniversary is therefore both a reunion and a remembrance”.
Adesiyan further said, ‘the celebration will relive the vibrant memories of Akoka in the mid-80s, when St. Finbarr’s College, (a.k.a Akoka Conquerors) was the must beat school during the principal cup football competition in Lagos State .
“The Literary and debating Society of the school also helped shaped young minds while the school maintained friendly connections with Our Lady of Apostles Girls’ Secondary School, Yaba (a.k.a OLA), during joint events.’
According to the statement, “the then principal, late Mr. Anthony Kpotie, inspired discipline and excellence in the lives of the students. Among the unforgettable teachers in the school was Bembela, a tall and playful teacher known for his sense of humour – and his ever-present long cane.”
Rev Father Slattery
The Class of ’85 will also pay tribute to the founder and first principal of the school, Rev. Father Dennis Slattery, an Irish missionary who founded St. Finbarr’s College and in his lifetime, instilled enduring values of faith, discipline, and hard work – significant traits of those who passed through the school.
Over the years, SFCOBA’ 85 has supported numerous initiatives to ensure the school’s facilities do not deteriorate beyond repair. Members have contributed to the rehabilitation of the basketball court and the ongoing maintenance of school infrastructure.
As part of the 40th anniversary, the group will donate educational materials.and school furniture to improve classroom comfort and also visit a charity home as part of its community outreach.
“We want current students to see that being a Finbarr’s boy means carrying a lifelong responsibility to.give back” the statement read.in part.
Unity among Class of 85
Four decades on, the Class of ’85 remains as close as ever through a vibrant WhatsApp group, where members share fond memories, laughter, ideas, and plans. It serves as a digital extension of the camaraderie first built in those classrooms and corridors of the school building in the ’80s.
The St. Finbarr’s College Old Boys Association, Class of 1985 (SFCOB85), is a group of alumni dedicated to preserving the legacy of St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka. The association promotes fellowship, supports educational initiatives, and contributes to community developments in honour of the school’s founding values.
Among the expected dignitaries at the reunion celebration are the SFCOBA National President, Mr Patrick Doyle, the school administrator, Father Babalola, and some distinguished men and women known as conquerors