NO OPPORTUNITY TO SAY GOODBYE
A fter the interview, we returned the following January to begin Form One. Fortunately, Suntana and I were both in Grier House and we hit it off immediately. In fact, upon our arrival, when we discovered that we had been assigned to different rooms in the house, we immediately corrected the egregious accommodation arrangement and promptly moved him into the same room with me. We were soon acquainted with the new order by the senior whose bed we had commandeered, in a most understanding way of ..... Read More
EVOLUTION
Junior Forms (1 & 2)
These years, for me, were a blur. More like being herded around, controlled by senior boys and being strictly regimented along the lines of time to sleep (lights out) and wake up bell at 6 am, sweeping chores till 6.30 am, hurried bath (or not) and dining hall at 7, assembly at 8, classes at 9, lunch at 2, siesta at 3, afternoon prep 4-5; then 5-6 as the only free time to play football or see your paddies in the other region before supper time at 7 pm and then ..... Read More
MBE-COLLEGE MAHA CENTRE – A PROSE POEM
Within the grounds of Apata-Ganga W Crest rests centrally at the Main Gate With manicured lawns either side of the road leading into the school. From time immemorial, School of our pride, Built on the Rock Created excellent pastures, polishing boys to men.
For students, ascending the heights Brought forth desire of excessive might, A hidden promise of future ecstatic delight.
In our time, the interview for boys of the future, Was a 3-day affair, with Latin added to the mixture. Laying the ..... Read More
PROVIDENCE
After gaining admission into several secondary schools including Igbobi College Yaba, ljebu Ode Grammar School, ljebu Ode and Comprehensive High School, Aiyetoro in 1971, I attended the interview for admission into Government College Ibadan which lasted a couple of days but this coincided with the letter of invitation from and interview for admission into King’s College Lagos. Hence, I attended a late interview at King’s college Lagos the following Monday. I found it shoddy unlike the ..... Read More
A JOLLY GOOD FELLA INDEED
Musa A Nurudeen is a blind boy who was admitted from Pacelli Primary School in Lagos. He attended Government College Ibadan with the 1972 Set as the very first blind person admitted into the school by the Principal, Chief J. B. O. Ojo. From his very first day he had to start the race and mingle with us. Sooner than later he had a good, kind accommodative and loving friend, Banji Abodunde, who decided to be his escort throughout
The school years and both were in Field House (Up Green!!!) ..... Read More
THE BLACK TANK AND OTHER MEMORIES
The Black Tank Mater W was an essential need and requirement which was provided by the Water Corporation, Apata in Ibadan. During our time in Government College Ibadan, we had a regular, constant supply from water the mains, which assisted in good health and clean environment. Whenever, there were interruptions on the regular flow during major repairs, we had an alternative as a reservoir in the Black Tank.
The Black Tank as fondly called happens to be located about 30 meters to Field House ..... Read More
MY ENCOUNTER WITH LATIN
This must have been sometime in late November or early December 1971 (those who remember correctly, kindly forgive me, this was over 50 years ago). I received a letter stating I would be expected to spend three days in the boarding house of GCI for an interview into Form One of this great college. Of course I was super excited as I had never spent a night out of my home without my parents. My mum hurriedly got a small portmanteau (yep portmanteau) packed for me with toiletries, decent clothes, ..... Read More
THAT 1971 INTERVIEW
Mannix (Imonikhe Ahimie 1B) lived a few blocks from me on the same street in Ikoyi in those days and we both attended Ireti Primary School, also in the same neighbourhood. When we both got invited for interview in GCI, our dads agreed with one another that his dad would drive us to Ibadan and that my dad would come and fetch us after the interview, three days later.
The interview days were an adventure. Mr. Arodudu (AroBlack) taught us those immortal Latin words, domini domino – domina – ..... Read More
THAT 1971 INTERVIEW
My earliest real thoughts about GCI started in 1971, when I was preparing to take the National Common Entrance Examination. I had assumed that my first choice of secondary school would be King’s College, Lagos. It was not to be. My mother, the actual form filler, filled in GCI. My father, it seems, had attended the school and this fact changed everything for me. If dad was an old boy (I doubt that I had actually ever heard the term “Old boy” at this time), then GCI was good enough for me. ..... Read More
Tastes and Tales: Dining Hall Adventures at GCI
My class set enjoyed what could easily be termed as the twilight of the glorious days of GCI, the central dinning hall was still in place and very effective. We ate meals that were worthy of princes. Breakfast was served with either cocoa or tea. Boiled eggs was constant on the menu. We even had corned beef. Lunch came with a serving of fruits. And there was more than enough for everyone. Dinner particularly on Thursdays was a delight. Fried plantain with vegetables. This also coincided with ..... Read More