GCIOBA Ibadan Branch Chairman's Speech at the 2016 Annual Luncheon of the Branch

Welcome Address of GCIOBA-Ibadan Branch Chairman, Olufemi Babalola (Carr, 1975) at the Branch's 2016 Luncheon on 7th of August, 2016

It is my pleasue to welcome our Old Boys, Young Girls, their Children and guests to yet another Get-together of our Branch.

This is one function I always look forward to not only because it reminds me of the House' supper of those days, when Old Boys would have dinner with the students in their various Houses but because it enables us to meet our whole family in one sitting. Our monthly meetings do not afford us such opportunity of meeting more than the family of the host Old Boys.

What we are seeing is the accumulation of some sleepless nights, uncountable numbers of travels, meetings and financial contribution on the path of our committee members. I also thank their Young Girls for their understanding. Join me in congratulating the year 2016 Annual Luncheon Committee for a job well done.

I enjoin you all to be relaxed, network among yourselves, have fun and enjoy the programs as lined up, capping it up with our sumptuous dishes gulped down with various assorted drinks provided.

The recent development in Oyo State as it concerns Secondary Schools is being watched closely and at the right time the Association will speak through the National Body.

I welcome and thank our National President for giving us the needed leadership support, and also thank the National body for being absolutely supportive of our Branch which is the mother Branch of the Association.

I cannot but praise my predecessor, Prof. Yemi Badejoko (1959) for making sure that not only did he see the Annual Luncheon through its infancy years, but having the courage to effect a right change at the needed time. He has been justified. History will be fair to him.

Despite the economic situation in the country, I am encouraged by the turn out at our monthly meetings and I would encourage us to continue to improve on it. It is indeed a challenging period in our country and i am positive that our God will see us through.

I will leave us with the words of Isaiah 43 : 1 - 3.

Thank you for coming and welcome once again.