Government College Ibadan- How Great Thou Art.

Imagine a 10-year-old being dropped off in Ibadan for the first time away from his parents, then you will appreciate what it's like to be thrown into the deep end a swimming pool without knowing how to swim. This is what it was like for me in January 1971. No one prepares you for such an ordeal. It was to be an invaluable experience in later years. It prepares you for what is to come. Going to boarding school in England for 6th form was a piece of cake, the tears still flowed, but it was easier to deal with, having survived bullying a great deal in the first three years of GCI. The first term was the worst when I inadvertently got a classmate "Zon" to call a lower 6th boy by his nickname "Kure". Needless to say, that was the baptism into fire. Apart from having to deal with the onslaught from my classmate who was shaken up by the senior, I had to endure one term of punishment in Field house, much to the delight of classmates in the house who were excused from their daily chores for the whole term. This was despite appeals from the senior boy's classmates. What an experience! Looking back, it made me more resilient and determined to succeed. There was no respite from my own 'teur who rather than being supportive, was only interested in bullying his boy, and extorting grub and money as often as possible. 1975 came very quickly, and I passed out with good grades, well-armed with a life experience that has helped in coping with life’s challenges.
Having graduated in Economics, and coupled with an MBA, a good career beckoned. All thanks to GCI. I felt it was time to give back to the school what I could.
Starting with my being appointed as Class Captain by my classmates, I was subsequently elected Chairman of GCIOBA Lagos branch in 2017 for a two-year tenure.
For me it was a time to give back to the school, time and resources. One cannot quantify the effect the school had on my formative years. A lot of the success can b attributed to the school, and the friends I made, and in particular my classmates who have been there for me for the last 50 years. I enjoin everyone to come together in committing to ensure the school lives on way beyond us. Congratulations to everyone on this 50th anniversary. We have lost loved ones along the line.
They are remembered during this period.

Long live GCI, UP SCHOOL!

Culled from: It Began In January (1971 set 50th anniversary yearbook)
Submitted by; Edward Akerele (2267, FIELD)
Former set captain