GCI Principal, Dr Tunde Odekunle's Report Of Stewardship During His One Year In Office Celebrations

5th March, 2018.

The Patron GCIOBA,
The National President GCIOBA,
The Chairman, Governing Board GCI,
The Executive Members (National/ Branches),
Distinguished Old Boys.

ACCOUNT OF STEWARDSHIP

Exactly a year ago, I assumed office as the Principal of our noble College, after the retirement of my amiable boss, Pastor Olusola Oladele from active service of Oyo State.

Sirs, words are grossly inadequate to express my gratitude to you all for your love and unflinching support in our course of rebranding GCI. The Oyo State Government award of the Best School Governing Board presented to GCI by His Excellency Governor Abiola Ajimobi on 21st November 2017 is a confirmation of your noble “service to others and not to self” spirit. May God continue to increase you.

Every activity performed requires evaluation or feedback with a view to forging ahead, assessing successes and challenges to attain excellence.
Sirs, considering your hands of fellowship, co-operation and support in the past one year, I humbly wish to give an account of my stewardship to you as a major stakeholder in the rebranding process.

1. THE SCHOOL GOVERNING BOARD
My indefatigable Chairman, Banwo Smith is highly commended for his passion and selfless service. This septuagenarian is such an articulate driver that leaves no stone unturned on anything that can move GCI forward. Currently, he is taking the bull by the horn to embark on the perimeter fencing of the School, a project which I will love everyone of us to subscribe into. May God grant him long life. Other members e.g. Yomi Jones, Femi Babalola have also been wonderful as Old Boys of GCI in the Board.
The Governing Board was instrumental to the new admission process that ushered in quality students into GCI in 2017. Thank you, Sirs.

2. GCIOBA
This dynamic association under Chief Abiodun Jolaoso has recorded tremendous achievements which remain inedible in my heart. The provision of teachers, scholarship awards (including Derek Bullock Foundation), donation of textbooks, career talks, renovation of Physics/ Chemistry laboratories as well as your regular visits have been parts of the success story, propelling the school to reclaim its place of pride. Old Boys in the diaspora under the leadership of Popoola supported by Roluga have equally been wonderful for their passion to reposition GCI.

3. THE BOARDING SYSTEM
The boarding system has improved tremendously. Sixteen (16) students were met on ground, they are now 42. I thank the ’76 class-set who set the ball rolling by giving the hostel a palliative face-lift pending the total renovation of the hostel by GCIOBA. God bless you, Sirs.

4. QUALITY ASSURANCE MEASURES
Having screened the staff on ground and retained quality ones, every teaching staff showcases his/her work on weekly basis to keep them on their toes with a view to discouraging complacency. They equally attend seminars and workshops to enhance their professional skills.

5. DISCIPLINE
GCI boys are highly disciplined. Students attendance are marked on the assembly ground by teachers. Moral tit-bits are also imparted unto them on daily basis. They don’t constitute nuisance to the public by engaging in street fight. They are equally properly dressed as we did in our own days.

6. SECURITY
All illegal occupants in GCI staff quarters have been ejected to give room for legitimate staff members. The security network too has been reinforced to protect lives and property of the school. Communication gadgets have equally been installed by the GCIOBA at different strategic locations of the college to enhance security alerts. God bless GCIOBA.

7. 2017 VALEDICTORY SPEECH AND PRIZE GIVING CEREMONY
2017 edition of the programme was held and attended by eminent old boys including Chief Abiodun Jolaoso (The National President). Government officials and other eminent personalities were also in attendance. Thanks to various class-sets of GCIOBA who made it a great success through their prizes, awards and cash donations to recipients.

8. 2017 WASSCE (WAEC) RESULT
Out of 161 candidates presented for 2017, WASSCE, 121 students had 5 credits including English Language and Mathematics which amount to 75%. I appreciate my predecessor, Mr. Sola Oladele for creating a desirable leverage for this achievement of the students and no stone will be left unturned to improve on this performance, so help me God.

9. LIBRARY
The school library is re-opened and stocked with relevant textbooks and journals. Students now patronize the library to engage themselves at leisure hours. I thank you for books donated and repairs on the library.

10. THE CADET UNIT/ RED CROSS SOCIETY
The Cadet Unit has been repositioned. The School Governing Board and some old boys donated the ceremonial outfits for school marchers. This was instrumental to the 2nd position of GCI during the October 1st 2017 independence march past ceremony after many years of relegation.

The Red Cross Society was newly inaugurated in GCI on Wednesday 26th July, 2017 during the Speech & Prize Giving Ceremony and they are performing wonders.

11. FAMILY TREE
The family-ties of ‘teurs and boys’ were resuscitated on Wed. 15th Oct., 2017 as Family Day was introduced. This is with a view to checkmating behavioural excesses of students and encourage bonding among them.

12. RECLASSIFICATION
At the inception of 2017/2018 academic session, in line with GCI tradition students were reclassified into A B C D etc as against GCIYNS etc met on ground for the sake of alphabetical clarity and GCI tradition.

13. CLUBS / SOCIETIES
These have been resuscitated and highly encouraged to perform. Bulletin boards have been provided for students to paste their write-ups. Recently the Press Club visited Pa J.O. Molomo, an old boy and GCI Principal (1976-1978) at his Erunmu residence to share from his wealth of experience since “ generations shall come and go”.

14. AGRICULTURE
You will agree with me that GCI is an agrarian community. There are demonstration farms for the students. The school bush hog (tractor) has been made functional with an assistance from ’61 Class Set. GCI students now engage in practical crop farming and animal husbandry.

15. COMBINED CHOIR OF GCI AND QSI RESUSCITATED
The choir was resuscitated in December 2017 and a combined Christmas carol was held on Sunday 10th Dec. 2017. It was attended by eminent old boys, parents and dignitaries.

It is equally germane note that all these remarkable achievements which you have made possible coupled with the efforts of the School Governing Board are not without flaws for only God is perfect. If there are areas where we need to buckle down, do not hesitate to point out such for further transformation.

Conclusively I wish to specially appreciate these class-sets:

(i) 1967 – for giving GCI a better scientific base
(ii) 1977 – for renovating the SS3 block. Thank you
(iii) 1982 – for renovating the SS1 block. God bless.

I thank you all.

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Dr. B.T. Odekunle
Principal