The Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association (GCIOBA) held a classic Reunion Luncheon on Saturday, 18th October, as part of its 2025 Annual Reunion program, marking the grand occasion of the school's 96th anniversary celebration.
Earlier, members of the association converged in the Assembly Hall of the school for the year's Annual General Meeting (AGM), where details of the previous year's activities were analyzed, and the next line of action, as well as the body's main focus, were extensively discussed.
An interdenominational Thanksgiving Service followed immediately after the AGM.
Dr. Wale Babalakin, 1971 Set, School No. 2273, Grier House, GCIOBA President, after the welcome address by the Association's National Secretary, Mr. Adeolu Akinwumi, 1991 Set, School No. 9988, Swanton House, declared the iconic Reunion Luncheon opened with a powerful speech.
Babalakin, in his speech, expressed profound gratitude to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the Special Guest of Honour of the occasion, for his unflinching support and governmental backing for the Association to achieve its objectives, particularly for granting it the opportunity to take charge of the school.
He also highlighted the Old Boys' giant strides in repositioning the school with their remarkable contributions not only towards infrastructural development but also to academic development.
Babalakin noted that, as remarked by an onlooker, GCI has practically turned into a permanent construction site; this, he said, has been achieved as a result of the determination and contributions of the Old Boys.
Some of the infrastructural developments embarked upon by the Old Boys lately, according to Babalakin, included the total overhauling and renovation of the boarding system of the school, as well as plans to rebuild all the staff residences.
Babalakin also emphasized the urgent need to renovate or rebuild approximately 20 staff residences within the next year to ensure comfortable accommodation for staff, enabling them to focus on improving their teaching skills.
He added that, "The priority is to provide advanced learning infrastructure, including teaching materials and laptops for every student, to help them compete internationally.
"Additionally, enhancing the kitchen with necessary equipment is essential for delivering high-quality food, which will support students' mental capacity and energy for extracurricular activities."
While he commended the Old Boys for their commitment to the development of the school, Babalakin simultaneously made a clarion call for all members to contribute to the economic buoyancy and funding of education at the school, as he stated that this would guarantee continuous support for a school designed for gifted children.
Other activities during the Reunion Luncheon, held at the Lalekan Are Hall of GCI, included the usual raffle draw and the celebration of the Jubilee Class Sets: the Diamond Jubilee Class of '65, the Golden Jubilee Class of '75, the Ruby Jubilee Class of '85, and the Class of '95 on the occasion of their 30th anniversary of entry.
It also featured the presentation of award plaques to three prominent Old Boys whose outstanding careers and contributions to their alma mater and the association have been recognized and rewarded as winners of the 2025 GCIOBA National Merit Award.
The awardees are Mr. Taiwo Demuren, from the 1973 Set, School No. 2597, Grier House, a US-based and accomplished real estate expert; Prof. Babatunde Ekanola, from the 1980 Set, School No. 4416, Powell House, an erudite scholar and the Chairman of the GCIOBA Class of 1980; and Barr. Olusegun Abimbola, SAN, from the 1981 Set, School No. 4641, a Partner at Prime Solicitors, Ibadan.
During the Luncheon, there was also the commissioning of projects by different sets, including a block of 20 fully furnished rooms for Youth Corpers and young teachers donated by the 1975 Set; a Command Center for proper monitoring of the entire premises of the school through CCTV donated by the 1985 Set; a modern hockey pitch and spectators' stand designed and constructed to international standards, donated by the Babalakin family; a lawn tennis court and practicing wall donated by the 1982 Set; a block of 8 classrooms, 4 staff rooms, and 4 blocks of toilets donated by the 1990 Set; an enlarged Lalekan Are Hall donated by B.O. Babalakin; and the repair and upgrading of roads in Government College Ibadan, also donated by B.O. Babalakin.
Apart from the colorful decorations, cool ambiance, and lively music provided by Emelda Ezenwafor's Estimable Band, along with the sumptuous local and continental dishes catered by Mrs. Eunice Adeoye's Ripples Catering and Events Services, the occasion allowed the Old Boys and their Young Girls to relax, enjoy themselves, network, and fully appreciate the party.
The 2025 Annual Reunion of GCIOBA, like previous editions, featured a public lecture hosted by the Lagos branch of the association.
Mr. Olugbenga Ben Ogunmoyela, from the 1965 Set, School No. 2583, Grier House, delivered the lecture titled 'Leadership Imperative for Feeding the Nation: Agriculture, Innovation, and the Nigerian Possibility,' which was held at the National Institute for International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos, on Wednesday, 15th October 2025.
On Friday, 17th October 2025, there was a Reunion Golf Tournament powered by the 1975 Set. It was held at the Ibadan Golf Club, Onireke.
The tee-off was at 7 a.m. Following that was a special Jumat service at the GCI Mosque at 2 p.m.
There were also Reunion Novelty football matches later that day at 3 p.m. The first match involved the 1975 Set Inter-House Soccer Fiesta.
The second match was GCI Old Boys vs. Loyola Old Boys at 4 p.m., which preceded the Reunion Luncheon the following day, Saturday, 18th October 2025.
Away from this year's Annual Reunion, another notable event is the reelection of Dr. Wale Babalakin, from the 1971 set, School No. 2273, Grier House, as GCIOBA National President for a historic fifth consecutive term.
He was re-elected last year.
This occurred after Babalakin announced the conclusion of his term and handed over to a Trustee of GCIOBA, Mr. Kola Mosuro of the 1964 set, to conduct the election for the new executive council. However, there was a call for the previously dissolved executive to be reinstated.
The motion to retain the Wale Babalakin-led Executive Council was moved by Mr. Gbola Akinola of the 1972 set and was unopposed, following a unanimous vote of confidence from the assembly regarding Babalakin's executive board.
Accepting the responsibility of returning as President of the Association, Babalakin restated his commitment to the development of GCIOBA and their alma mater.
He expressed his profound gratitude to the assembly for the honor and sought their continued support, noting that the President is only as effective as the support received from the body.
Babalakin, after his re-election, also presented the names of the GCIOBA Executive Council members.
They include Mr. Tola Obembe of the 1977 set as Vice President 1; Mr. Seun Abimbola of the 1981 set as Vice President 2; Mr. Olanrewaju Olubiyi of the 1985 set as General Secretary; Mr. Damola Adegbite of the 1978 set as Financial Secretary; Mr. Adeolu Akinwumi of the 1991 set as Social Secretary; Mr. Seye Fadahunsi of the 1971 set as Treasurer; and Mr. Abiodun Jolaosho of the 1964 set as the immediate Past President.
Hitting the ground running, Babalakin, immediately after his re-election, called on the House to begin making provisions for a bigger hall, as the GCI Assembly Hall is becoming too small for the GCIOBA AGM.
Babalakin was first elected as GCIOBA President in 2017, and since then, he has fostered quality leadership that has brought about unprecedented developments to both his alma mater and the Association itself.
The achievements recorded under his leadership are numerous, including the 2022 approval from the Oyo State Government for the Old Boys to be in charge of affairs of GCI.
With Babalakin's influence as President, and of course with the supports of all Old Boys, GCI has practically turned to a construction site lately.
A good number of the infrastructural facilities in the school have been either upgraded or totally reconstructed while many others have also been introduced. The roads throughout the school are well tarred with solar street lights. What about the learning equipment as well as welfare of staff both teaching and non-teaching.
This year alone, not less than seven new projects as donated by different sets of the Old Boys were commissioned.
The projects included a block of 20 fully furnished rooms for Youth Corpers and young teachers donated by the 1975 Set; a Command Center for proper monitoring of the entire premises of the school through CCTV donated by the 1985 Set; a modern hockey pitch and spectators' stand designed and constructed to international standards, donated by the Babalakin family; a lawn tennis court and practicing wall donated by the 1982 Set; a block of 8 classrooms, 4 staff rooms, and 4 blocks of toilets donated by the 1990 Set; an enlarged Lalekan Are Hall donated by B.O. Babalakin; and the repair and upgrading of roads in Government College Ibadan, also donated by B.O. Babalakin.
-Dare Adeniran
08057639079
Credit: City People
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