ESUBIYI Amodu Talabi

SCHOOL NUMBER: 

43

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DISTINCTIONS: 

  • MERIT AWARD WINNER

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SCHOOL MERIT AWARD YEAR: 

Famously known to many Igbobians as "Pa Esubiyi" or better still "Baba", Mr. Talabi Esubuyi joined the staff of Igbobi College, in 1936 (four years after its founding) as Junior Master. He rose to the rank of Vice Principal and by his retirement in 1975, had earned the reputation of staff member with the longest tenure, having served for 39 years. Indeed "Baba" had become synonymous with Igbobi College and it's hard to imagine the institution without its legendary father.

Through this period, Baba taught many generations of Igbobians and it was not uncommon for three (3) generations in a family to have passed through his tutelage. As a testament to his influence, many prominent Nigerians owe their success to the contribution of "Baba". Notable among these are the Ibrus, Professors Bolaji Akinyemi, Ade Ajayi, Adadevoh, Late Gbolahan Mudashiru (formerly Governor of Lagos State) and the current Vice President of the Federation of Nigeria, Yemi Osibanjo, to name a few.

Baba was the epitome of discipline, reflective in his personal dressing code being well-starched, elbow-length white shirt, over well-starched, baggy, knee-length, khaki shorts with well-polished, brown sandals to match. Never deviating from this dress code except on Sundays when he would wear traditional "buba" and "sokoto".

Arguably, the only thing that could match his reputation was his legendary memory, comparable to an elephants, in that Baba never seemed to age as he recalled the names of past as well as current generation of students. Indeed whenever Baba famously intoned in his characteristic baritone voice, with drawn out vowels and in his peculiar authoritative tone "See me__ at break tomorrow", there was no escape for the erring student. For even if he were in hiding in a crowd of his peers, Baba would call him out several days later. Mr. Esubiyi was not in any way malicious or brutal, as all would agree that the punishment was just and well deserved - frequently a few well-administered strokes of the cane, corporal punishment that was acceptable form of discipline in those days, the pain of which would linger for some days as a constant reminder to be wary of crossing paths with Baba, especially when he was MOD (Master-on-Duty).

Its uncertain if Mr. Esubiyi had any natural born offspring, but to many Igbobians who were under his administration in those 39 years, he was indeed their father.

Esubiyi Amodu Talabi was the 43rd Student of Government College Ibadan and one of the foundation students of Swanston House, who started the newly founded College as a student in 1929.

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