YOUNG GIRL OF LATE THOMPSON OLUWOLE OGUNYINKA (1708, FIELD, 1966) INSTITUTIONALIZES SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS AT GCI

EVENT TYPE: 

YOUNG GIRL OF LATE THOMPSON OLUWOLE OGUNYINKA (1708, FIELD, 1966) INSTITUTIONALIZES SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS AT GCI

Tuesday, 13th October, 2020 was a day of sheer bliss for the families of Ekun and Kolawole as their children in Junior and Senior School respectively were beneficiaries of the maiden Late Thompson Ogunyinka Scholarship awards.

The Young Girl of the late Old Boy, Mrs Olufunmilayo Ogunyinka described the Old Boy as a diligent student who wasn't just academically sound but outstandingly awesome in extra-curricular activities like Field Hockey and Cadet Force. She mentioned it that his brilliance and diligence earned him the Principal's scholarship (DJ Bullock Scholarship Award) throughout his stint at GCI, and also went on to become the 2IC of the Cadet team and Head of School of this great institution in 1972.

She informed the students and parents present at the GCI Assembly Hall that the purpose of the institutionalization of the scholarship was to replicate the same privilege the late Old Boy enjoyed about six decades ago to the present GCI boys, and to give back to the school that made her late husband. She noted that Thompson Ogunyinka loved Chemistry while in GCI.

The scholarship award was in two categories - the best graduating student in Chemistry (2019/20 academic session) and the indigent and most outstanding student in JSS 1 (2019/20 academic session). While the former, Waheed Ekun was awarded with a cheque of #50,000.00, the latter - Abdulrasaq Kolawole was awarded with a cheque of #250,000.00 - to cater for his boarding fees and academic needs inasmuch as he is able to keep up with the set benchmark in every session.

Olugbenga Jayesinmi (1766, Grier, 1967), a friend to the Ogunyinkas who accompanied the Ogunyinkas to the launching ceremony; urged the students to develop their character and intergrity whilst maintaining their
academics. He mentioned it that the late Ogunyinka was an epitome of humility, integrity, joviality and academic excellence. He added that even though his children didn't attend GCI, he wishes to have his grandchildren attend his Alma Mater.

The GCI School Governing Board Chairman, Femi Babalola (1975) who literally wore 4 caps - 1 as the SGB Chairman, 1 as the representative of the National President - Dr Wale Babalakin, 1 as a friend to the Ogunyinka's family and the other as an Old Boy of GCI.

In his remarks as the SGB Chairman, he said it is high time GCI Old Boys and GCIOBA at large started institutionalizing various scholarship awards at GCI as being done and enjoyed in the past. He exemplified that of DJB Foundation whereby beneficiaries of DJB Scholarship Awards came together under a Foundation to give back to indigent students not only in GCI but in Oyo State at large. He urged other beneficiaries of scholarship awards to come back home and do same for the present GCI boys especially now that quality education cannot be left in the hands of government alone.

He delivered the goodwill message of the National President to the Young Girl and the Ogunyinka's family at large. The National President who wanted to grace the event but was unavoidably absent, noted that the award might be the start of a Nobel prize for the awardee, and charged the GCI boy to be the African and GCI Nobel Laureate in Science. He thanked the Ogunyinka's family immensely for their thoughtfulness and kind gesture, and promised to send an appreciation letter to them as soon as possible.

Femi Babalola (1975) glorified God on behalf of the Ogunyinkas, and testified that the Young Girl can conveniently do what the late Old Boy could have done if alive. He prayed for longevity for the Young Girl and grace to do much more. He thanked the Young Girl on behalf of GCIOBA, for holding forth, forthrightly and outstandingly.

The SGB Chairman reiterated it that the grant is strictly for the academic needs of the students and should not be diverted by the parents. He added that the selection was merit-based and transparent.

The GCI Principal, Mr Oluwole Adewole appreciated the Ogunyinkas for another unparalleled feat made in the annals of history of GCI, and thanked everyone present at the venue for felicitating with the beneficiaries. He also congratulated the beneficiaries and their parents, and advised the boys to keep up the pace.

Present at the occasion were Mrs. Olanike Otubogun (nee Ogunyinka), Mr. Oladapo Ogunyinka, Mrs
Olamide Ayodeji (nee Ogunyinka) and
Mrs Olatunde Adebola- Amosa (nee Ogunyinka). Worthy of note is Mrs Bolanle Ogunyinka who resides in the diaspora and was unavoidably absent. Mr Adeniran, an LIE Officer was present to represent the Oyo State Ministry of Education while the principal officers, some members of staff and students of GCI were in attendance.

Mr Kolawole, on behalf of the parents of the beneficiaries thanked the Ogunyinka's family for the scholarship grant and prayed them a continuous and supernatural blessings and protection.

*Photo Description, L-R* (TOP LEFT CORNER)
_Presentation of #50,000.00 cheque to Kolawole Emmanuel, the best graduating student in Chemistry in the 2019/20 academic session by the Ogunyinkas._

1. Mr Waheed Kolawole, father of the beneficiary
2. Kolawole Emmanuel, Awardee and now an Old Boy of 2014 Set
3. Mrs Olufunmilayo Ogunyinka, Young Girl of late Thompson Ogunyinka (1966)
4. Mrs Olanike Otubogun (nee Ogunyinka), daughter of late Thompson Ogunyinka (1966)
5. Mr Oladapo Ogunyinka, son of late Thompson Ogunyinka (1966)
6. Gbenga Jayesimi (1967), friend of the Ogunyinkas.

*Photo Description, L-R* (TOP RIGHT CORNER)
1. Mrs Olanike Otubogun (nee Ogunyinka), daughter of late Thompson Ogunyinka (1966)
2. Gbenga Jayesimi (1967), friend to the Ogunyinkas.
3. Mrs Olufunmiĺayo Ogunyinka, Young Girl of late Thompson Ogunyinka (1966)
4. Femi Babalola (1975), Chairman GCI School Governing Board
5. Mrs Olamide Ayodeji (nee Ogunyinka)
6. Mr Oluwole Adewole, Principal, GCI Senior School
7. Mr Ibrahim, Principal, GCI Junior School I
8. Mr Idowu Adekunle, Principal, GCI Junior School II

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