GCIOBA Ibadan Branch Chairman's Speech at the 2017 Annual Luncheon of the Branch

WELCOME ADDRESS OF GCIOBA-IBADAN BRANCH CHAIRMAN, OLUFEMI BABALOLA (CARR, 1975) AT THE BRANCH'S 2017 ANNUAL LUNCHEON ON 10TH OF SEPTEMBER, 2017.

I welcome everyone to this 6th edition of the Annual Get-together of Government College Ibadan Old Boys’ Association, Ibadan Branch, tagged ‘Made in Nigeria: Creating Opportunities for Export’.

In the last one year, we have witnessed a significant increase in the membership attendance at our monthly meetings, which is quite encouraging and impressive. Also, the monthly meetings have featured various empowerment programs. In the month of May, we were privileged to have Mr. Pacqueens Irabor, Oyo State Manager, Bank of Industry (BOI), in our midst to discuss various financial opportunities that enterprising members could tap into.

Consequently, we have captioned the theme of this get-together to cap what we have learnt in the last one year. In my mind, there is no other person more qualified and fit to give this talk than a distinguished Old Boy, an expert in the promotion of export trade. I have the pleasure of presenting to you Segun Awolowo Jnr. ('75 Set) – the Executive Director of Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

To God be the glory for making us see today. I hope you can appreciate how inspiring it is for me to experience an afternoon like this: basking in the euphoria, love and devotion that loyal Old Boys bring back to their Alma mater.

Over the past few years, the National Association has invested pretty well in various projects in the school. The Association has also helped in providing some teachers for the college. Without any iota of sycophancy, we have seen a significant improvement in the academic performance of the students.

However, I think we can still do more. We need our collective efforts to bring our GCI out of a state of precipice. I would at this point like to thank the Oyo State Government for their response to our request on the Public Private Partnership Project.

Many thanks to all the members of this Association for their tremendous support and enthusiasm in adding values to our college. The zeal and energy level have been outstanding.

Finally, I want to thank all our distinguished guests, kind-hearted Young Girls and the Old Boys for being here. I wish you all a joyful afternoon.

Femi Babalola, FNSE, FINHE
Chairman, GCIOBA Ibadan Branch
1975 Set