JUST A FEW REGRETS

I must first give thanks to God for allowing me to acquire my secondary education at this prestigious institution. I got into GCI by the divine intervention of God; my late mother, Eunice Wuraola Olubowale, who through the insistence of our father, Isaiah Obayomi Olubowale aka Alekujina that Folarin and Segun will not attend any other secondary school except GCI, approached Chief J. B. O. Ojo, and persuaded him to invite me for an interview after the dates were closed. She also got him to invite late Olanrewaju Amos whose mother was my mother’s good friend. Can you imagine the academic excellence GCI could have lost through not having SOMA amongst us?
Anyway, I came into GCI determined to be the best I could and luckily was placed in the best house. The boarding house system in place was so impressive especially the Prefects whose roles were greatly respected. My dream from my first day in GCI was to be one of the best students in my class and ultimately become the head of Field House. I returned to GCI for my sixth form to give myself the opportunity to become the Head of Field House, which never materialized because of better boys than me. These included my ultimate competitor, Olaniyi Oredein, who later became the Head of School; Tayo Odeyemi, and an Ayoo in the sixth form, Owoeye, who was chosen over me because I was caught bolting the weekend of the announcement.
Thanks to my friends in the inner circle including Gbenga Akinyombo and Jide Jegede who made sure that a Prefect position was given to me to placate my disappointment and that was how I became the Captain of Cricket. These events shaped my life.
All my Paddy boys including Smokin Joe, Femi Orotope Paul, Bisade Ologunde, Segun Soile and, of course, my brother Segun Olubowale whose shadow I lived under in GCI – thanks for all you did to make me a better boy in GCI and also later in life. My other failure in GCI was my not making a distinction in WAEC as my mentor of blessed, Dr. Folarin Ayoola did. I was so disappointed after that I never lived up to my full potential academically.
I was also hoping and praying that my children will be able to experience the best of their formative years- unfortunately that remained a dream.

Culled From: Our story (1972 Set Anniversary book)
Submitted By: FOLARIN OLUBOWALE (SN 2483, Field House)