MY STORY (FATUNGASE)

Sometime in the year 1971 after the Afolabi brothers had said so much about their school, "GCI", anytime we met in the Bodija neighbourhood where we all lived then, I decided to change from my school - Baptist High School in Iwo, to this much-spoken about GCI of the Afolabi brothers (Dimeji, 1969) and (Lanre, 1971). I spoke all their
words to my mother- Mrs. Olusola Fatungase a.k.a. Iya-Ibeji.
Few days after speaking to my mum, she asked me to drive her to Apata in Ibadan. Little did I know that we were headed to GCI. I drove her to the house of Chief J.B. Ojo, the school principal. And as far as I know, after that meeting with the Chief, I joined the 1970 set in
1972. My House was Carr and Wale Salami (now Airline Captain) became my Teur.
I didn't find it hard in integrating with the people and the environment; the Afolabi brothers were there in the same house with me, which served as an encouragement for me. My first mistake in school started with my academics. In my former school, I was usually top of my form and thought it will be business as usual in GCI, but it turned out otherwise. Too many 'hot' guys were in our form and I was beaten hands down in class.
Somehow, I adjusted and moved on. I enjoyed the array of different sports in GCI, but football was where I shone and that got me popular at the house level. My dribbling skills confounded a lot of people in school then.
Adewale Adejumo (Putet) gave me the nickname "FATUNG",
being the shortened form of my surname, Fatungase.

Memorable Events - Playing Football:
In recognition of my house football skill, I was chosen to play No. 10 for Carr House against Grier House when I was in Form four. Before the match which occurred during school hours, esau Ahmed of Grier house who was in my Class had threatened me that he will be out to break my legs on the field during the match. I remember Ajisebutu (my buddy now) cautioning him about his plan. The whole thing got to my head to the extent that all I planned to achieve in the match was to beat Ahmed by dribbling him. Ahmed had very stocky big legs called "Isu" in those days. All my house fans were in on my plan of going out to make a mess of Ahmed, Grier's back man.
Anyway, the match got underway and as expected, Ahmed started hunting for me all over the field. But I was ready for him. Putet was playing alongside me and he knew my plans. During the game, a throw-in came to us; the ball was thrown to Putet and he sent a long pass to me. As the ball was rolling towards me, Ahmed came running from my back. I pretended not to see him, opened my legs for the ball to pass through and I found Ahmed's window beating him completely. Ahmed turned to run after me and fell. My Carr house fans ran into the field and carried me up rejoicing, for beating Ahmed.
Then the referee got angry.
Eventually, the game continued and ended in a draw. Our goalkeeper stopped one penalty and also let one in!
I can't remember clearly other interesting events. But I must say ! enjoyed being in GCI and am still enjoying the aftermath. 1970 O.B.A. is a great blessing of really blessed people. I will surely enjoy doing the GCI spirit again and again.


Culled from:Metamorphoses,50th Anniversary Yearbook(1970 Set).
Submitted by:Taiwo Oluyemi Fatungase(Carr,2512).