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I Got the best of both worlds, a great rugged foundation from our academic rival Christ’s School Ado-Ekiti, and I built on this foundation at the State of the Art Rock, Government College Ibadan. I must have been destined to attend GCI despite my dad’s objection at my earlier opportunity after my primary education. He was an old boy of Christ’s School and I am his first son so I was destined to attend his old school. I wasn’t the brightest or “test smart” kid, but well equipped with survival skills and emotional intelligence that didn’t make any sense until I crossed over to the US. I had so many colleagues in GCI and COMPRO through childhood association, sports and social interactions. Because of this, I wasn’t surprised at the warm reception I got throughout my sojourn in Swanston, Carr, Field and finally, Grier as Head of House. I was blessed with so many friends in between the 1969 and 1972 sets with whom I learned the new environment test.
In exchange for my much needed academic excellence, I shared my survival and social skills with Akinyombo, Olubowale 1 & 2, Atanda, Oredein, Toyobo, Adesida 1 & 2, Irabor, Akinyeye, Adedeji, Dipo Idowu, Fabamwo, Akingbade, Mabogunje and Ghosi, just to mention a few of my close associates at the inception. Amusa later introduced me to my homeboy Abodunde, what an irony of fate. He looked more of a genius rebel than a compassionate true Ekiti man that he later turned out to be. Omoruan, Akeju and Akinola had equal and opposite effect (in a good way) on my esteemed self, but will save the explanation for another day – thank you.
My special thanks to Principal Chief J. B. O. Ojo “Chiefy” for his intellectual nurturing despite all odds, and Chief Lafimihan for embracing the sportsmanship in me. They were ever ready to listen to my rationale even when it wasn’t so clear to me. Rare qualities! Same goes to my Head of Cadet unit (Fabamwo, Oredein, Akinyombo and especially Olubowale Segun, the drill master) who grand fathered me with ranks but demanded loyalty and excellence.
Honestly, the junior boys that we served as Head of House, Sports Prefect and Teur gave me the most pleasure as they recount 20 + years after the not too pleasurable but productive advice, leadership skills and self-disciplinary examples we gave them in school. Hillary Clinton referred to her 1996 book “It Takes A Village”, whose title is said to be part of another saying from Africa: “It takes a village to raise a child”. Many parents, including Amusa’s mum, Olubowale Folarin’s mum, Akinyombo’s parents, Emuleomo’s dad, all time favourable parents Rab and Lali, Otuyalo’s dad, Oredein’s mum, Ologunde and Atanda’s dads, just to mention a few, treated me to stern warning on “ranti omo e ni ti wo nse”, meaning “remember the son of whom you are because a good name is better than gold or silver”. Emmanuel Olawale, July 2016 – “The Flavour of Favour:
Quest for the American Dream. A memoir”.
We came to GCI with our Intelligence Quotient (IQ), picked up Social Quotient (SQ) and left with little or no Emotional Quotient (EQ). After so many years of pilling up academic accolade with “Societal Status”, we discovered the need for Adversity Quotient (AQ). Band of Brothers, the struggle is real. Let’s seek and help each other, our children and loved ones and reduce the Adversity Quotient (AQ) gap as much as we can.
I appreciate the class of 1972 set; may the Almighty God continue to bless us all.

Culled From: Our story (1972 Set Anniversary book)
Submitted By: JIDE JEGEDE (SN 3139, Grier House)