The Logo Of Kerubu, My Great Alma Mater

Every time I look at the logo of our great school, your Kerubu, my Kerubu, our Kerubu, the amazing Cherubim and Seraphim High School, Ilésà, there is a river of joy that streams through my body. There is a kind of pride that sprouts in my being. There is a delight that beams pleasure within me.

I feel transmitted into trance, hurled into a haven so heavenly, and serenaded in a sublime splendour. The pride primes my self-confidence and drive home the reality of a divine luck that opportuned me and others to march through the mill of our Kerubu.

The logo's shape akin to that of a heart, encapsulates the essence of our school and its mission envisioned through us, as we were and many are still being churned into the wild wide world as ambassadors. Ambassadors of faith, character and excellence. Ambassadors of humanity, humility and community.

Often, the depth of the message on the emblem of our great school is lost on many. To some, it's like a splash of water on the wall. It sinks not. It sticks not. It only streams down the wall, to waste. Of no effect whatsoever. No impact at all, except momentary wetness.

A more conscientious examination of the logo when juxtaposed with the context of the kind of training we received, our gratitude ought to be limitless.

In the heart of the heart of that logo is a Cross which has the initials of our school C. & S. H.S. on its larch. It represents the faith of our forefathers who founded the school. Their faith in God almighty, Elédùmarè. Their faith in us. And their faith in our future.

On the top left corner of the Cross is nomenclatural book which pointedly emphasizes academics as a focus of the endeavour. On the top right corner of the Cross is this torch-like emblem which signifies the perpetual hope of the founders that the products of this great Kerubu shall carry the touch of light, progress, service, and development. That the products of this school shall be positive pathfinders for our society.

Under the larch of the Cross, on the lower left corner is a drawing of a tree while opposite it, on the lower right corner, is that of an animal with great resemblance to a cow. They represent the age-long, all important aspect of our cultural affinity with farming and animal husbandry. They underscore the importance of agriculture in our society and focus on such as part of our education.

This heart-like shape comfortably sits on a ribbon of wisdom. A wisdom inspired by the faith of our founders exuding the profound message that would live for ever. The artwork of that beautiful ribbon projects something silky, but it could also have been a velvet.

"WORK AND PRAY."
Those are the profound words on that beautiful artwork of the ribbon on the gorgeous logo of my great school, the great Kerubu, the amazing Cherubim and Seraphim High School, Ilésà.

Psychoanalysing the phrase, the importance of putting the word "work" before the word "pray" is not lost on me. The phrase is evidently inspired by the Yorùbá culture that lays high premium on independent minded human beings who could not be held captive by any kind of religious belief. Persons who live in the existential realities of life, who though still believe in God but are not caged or shackled by their faiths.

Our founders held strong beliefs that if one works very hard, take cold, tough decisions, tread and trace the braces of the mill, Elédùwà would bless one's efforts when one prays.

The logo of my great school, a source of infinite inspiration.

Great thanks to the 1999 Set for a beautiful design.

© Rèmí Oyèyemí