The old students of Government College Ibadan (GCI), Abeokuta branch on Thursday converged in the ancient Egbaland for urgent intervention and patriotism to rescue Nigeria from the brink of disintegration by re-gging the national fabrics and the rebuilding blocks.
The ceremony which was the old boys 2024 annual luncheon and public lecture had the theme, “Legal Luminaries and the Evolution of Nigeria’s Contentious 1999 Constitution”, delivered by Senator Femi Okunrounmu, former student of the college and renowned Afenifere chieftain.
The Branch Chairman, Engr Olufemi Adejugba in his welcome address pointed out that the prevailing situation in the country now calls for an urgent intervention of men, passion and patriotism to rescue her from the brink of disintegration, hence, relevance of the lecture.
He emphasised that as the nation continues its search for solid building blocks for greater Nigeria and better tomorrow, he was optimistic that the experience of lecture organised by the old students will come in handy.
‘The prevailing situation in our country now calls for urgent intervention of men, passion and patriotism. As the nation continues its search for solid building blocks for a greater Nigeria and better tomorrow, we believe that the experience of our today’s lecturer will come in handy’, he stressed.
The Chairman of the occasion, Barrister Adebayo Ayodele in his remarks commended the old students for putting their house in order, admitting that Government College Ibadan (GCI) is a great institution with indelible track records
Ayodele called on need for all stakeholders to encourage themselves in encouraging good education in the country, just as he pointed out that there is no perfect constitution, but it is the people who should learn to be perfect.
“I want to commend the old boys of Government College Ibadan and the organising committee of this programme for putting your house in order. Government College Ibadan is a great school, with indelible records. Let us encourage ourselves to encourage good education in the country. There is no perfect constitution anywhere, but people should learn to be perfect”, he emphasised
The National President of the association Wale Babalakin in his speech thanked all old boys for the significant step they have taken in repositioning the school, stressing that he was delighted about the interest generated from applicant to the school
‘I am reliably informed that about 600 students applied for admission into the school for the next academic session. It is my hope that we wil be able to admit students who are capable of absorbing the quality of education we provide’, he stated.
He pointed out that the old students have financial provision for twenty-eight teachers, adding that it is the association objective to be in a position to employ 45 teachers within the next six months, stating that he was aware that the Abeokuta branch has contributed to the teachers pool, and expected an increase contribution from Abeokuta branch very soon
‘It is also my pleasure to announce that the dilapidated Grier House has been demolished and construction of the new Grier House has commenced. With the support of the Old Boys we expext=ct it to be completed very soon’, Babalakin said
Babalakin, however, appealed to the old students to redevelop their house forthwith so that they can have a full complement of boarding house accommodation before the commencement of the 2025/2026 academic session
The programme include cutting of the anniversary cake, and decoration of 2024 merit awardees which include Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, as well as goodwill messages from some notable personalities who graced the well-attended events, held at Alake Hall of Abeokuta Club located along Presidential boulevard in Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital.
Meanwhile, records have it that Government College Ibadan(GCI) was conceived as a Teacher Training College in 1929 when it was founded, but fate was, by providence, to change its status almost at birth to a secondary school, while the destiny of the of the new school revolved around three prominent colonial officers of the Government of His Majesty, the King of England in the mid to late 1920’s, and these were Mr S.M Grier, Mr E.R Swanston and Mr E.R.J Hussey
