By Dare Adeniran
The Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association (GCIOBA) rounded off its 2025 Annual Reunion with a colourful Reunion Luncheon on Saturday, October 18, 2025, as the prestigious institution marked its 96th anniversary.
The celebration brought together old students of Government College Ibadan (GCI) from different generations, with activities including the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), an interdenominational thanksgiving service, project commissioning, recognition of outstanding old boys and the election of a new executive council.
Earlier in the day, members had gathered at the school’s Assembly Hall for the AGM, where reports on the association’s activities were reviewed and discussions held on its future programmes and priorities.
An interdenominational Thanksgiving Service followed the meeting.
At the Reunion Luncheon held at the Lalekan Are Hall, GCIOBA National Secretary, Adeolu Akinwumi, 1991 Set, Swanton House, welcomed members and guests before Dr. Wale Babalakin, 1971 Set, Grier House, declared the occasion open.
Babalakin, in his address, expressed appreciation to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who served as Special Guest of Honour, for the state government’s support and for granting the Old Boys the opportunity to play a greater role in the administration and development of their alma mater.
He also highlighted the association’s contributions to the physical and academic transformation of GCI, noting that the scale of ongoing construction and renovation had led some observers to describe the school as a “permanent construction site.”
According to him, the development drive had covered several areas, including the comprehensive renovation of the school’s boarding facilities, while plans were also underway to rebuild staff residences.
Babalakin stressed the need to renovate or reconstruct about 20 staff residences within the following year, explaining that decent accommodation for teachers would help create an environment where they could concentrate on improving their professional performance.
He further identified modern learning facilities as a priority, including adequate teaching materials and laptops for students to prepare them for competition in an increasingly global environment.
The GCIOBA president also called for improvements to the school’s kitchen and other facilities required to provide students with quality meals, noting that proper nutrition was important to their academic performance and participation in extracurricular activities.
While commending members for their commitment to the development of GCI, Babalakin urged more Old Boys to contribute to the association’s funding efforts, stressing that sustained financial support was essential to maintaining the standard of a school established to nurture gifted students.
The luncheon also featured the celebration of four milestone class sets: the Diamond Jubilee Class of 1965, the Golden Jubilee Class of 1975, the Ruby Jubilee Class of 1985 and the Class of 1995, which marked 30 years since their entry into GCI.
The recipients were Taiwo Demuren, 1973 Set, Grier House, a United States-based real estate expert; Prof. Babatunde Ekanola, 1980 Set, Powell House, an academic and chairman of the GCIOBA Class of 1980; and Barrister Olusegun Abimbola, SAN, 1981 Set, a partner at Prime Solicitors, Ibadan.
One of the major highlights of the reunion was the commissioning of several projects executed through the contributions of various class sets and members of the association.
Among the projects were a block of 20 fully furnished rooms for corps members and young teachers, donated by the 1975 Set; a Command Centre equipped to monitor the school premises through CCTV cameras, donated by the 1985 Set; and a modern hockey pitch with a spectators’ stand built to international standards by the Babalakin family.
Other projects included a lawn tennis court and practice wall donated by the 1982 Set; a block comprising eight classrooms, four staff rooms and four 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 within the school premises, also donated by B.O. Babalakin.
Beyond the formal proceedings, the luncheon provided an opportunity for old boys and their guests to reconnect, network and celebrate their shared heritage.
The 2025 reunion programme had begun earlier in the week with a public lecture organised by the Lagos branch of GCIOBA.
Olugbenga Ben Ogunmoyela, 1965 Set, Grier House, delivered the lecture titled, “Leadership Imperative for Feeding the Nation: Agriculture, Innovation, and the Nigerian Possibility,” at the National Institute for International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos, on Wednesday, October 15.
On Friday, October 17, the 1975 Set powered the Reunion Golf Tournament at Ibadan Golf Club, Onireke, with the tournament teeing off at 7 a.m.
A special Jumat service was subsequently held at the GCI Mosque at 2 p.m., while the day’s activities continued with reunion novelty football matches.
The first match was the 1975 Set Inter-House Soccer Fiesta, followed by a GCI Old Boys versus Loyola Old Boys encounter scheduled for 4 p.m.
Babalakin Secures Fifth Consecutive Term
Another major development during the reunion was the re-election of Babalakin as GCIOBA National President for a historic fifth consecutive term.
Babalakin, who was first elected president in 2017, had announced the completion of his previous tenure and handed proceedings over to GCIOBA Trustee Kola Mosuro, 1964 Set, to conduct the election of a new executive council.
However, members called for the continuation of the existing leadership.
A motion for the retention of the Babalakin-led executive council was moved by Gbola Akinola of the 1972 Set and received no opposition, following a unanimous vote of confidence in the executive.
Accepting the mandate, Babalakin thanked members for their confidence and pledged to continue working towards the development of GCIOBA and Government College Ibadan.
He also acknowledged that the effectiveness of any president depended largely on the support received from members of the association.
The executive council subsequently presented by Babalakin comprises Tola Obembe, 1977 Set, as Vice President 1; Seun Abimbola, 1981 Set, as Vice President 2; Olanrewaju Olubiyi, 1985 Set, as General Secretary; Damola Adegbite, 1978 Set, as Financial Secretary; Adeolu Akinwumi, 1991 Set, as Social Secretary; Seye Fadahunsi, 1971 Set, as Treasurer; and Abiodun Jolaosho, 1964 Set, as Immediate Past President.
Following his return to office, Babalakin immediately called for preparations to begin for a larger venue for future AGMs, noting that the school’s Assembly Hall was becoming inadequate for the growing number of GCIOBA members attending its meetings.
Since assuming the GCIOBA presidency in 2017, Babalakin has overseen a number of initiatives aimed at strengthening both the association and its alma mater.
Under the association’s development drive, several facilities across the school have been renovated, upgraded or newly constructed. These include road infrastructure, solar-powered street lighting, learning facilities and projects aimed at improving the welfare of teaching and non-teaching staff.
With several new projects commissioned during the 2025 reunion, GCIOBA once again demonstrated the enduring commitment of its members to preserving and advancing the legacy of Government College Ibadan.
Credit: City People
The celebration brought together old students of Government College Ibadan (GCI) from different generations, with activities including the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), an interdenominational thanksgiving service, project commissioning, recognition of outstanding old boys and the election of a new executive council.
Earlier in the day, members had gathered at the school’s Assembly Hall for the AGM, where reports on the association’s activities were reviewed and discussions held on its future programmes and priorities.
An interdenominational Thanksgiving Service followed the meeting.
At the Reunion Luncheon held at the Lalekan Are Hall, GCIOBA National Secretary, Adeolu Akinwumi, 1991 Set, Swanton House, welcomed members and guests before Dr. Wale Babalakin, 1971 Set, Grier House, declared the occasion open.
Babalakin, in his address, expressed appreciation to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who served as Special Guest of Honour, for the state government’s support and for granting the Old Boys the opportunity to play a greater role in the administration and development of their alma mater.
He also highlighted the association’s contributions to the physical and academic transformation of GCI, noting that the scale of ongoing construction and renovation had led some observers to describe the school as a “permanent construction site.”
According to him, the development drive had covered several areas, including the comprehensive renovation of the school’s boarding facilities, while plans were also underway to rebuild staff residences.
Babalakin stressed the need to renovate or reconstruct about 20 staff residences within the following year, explaining that decent accommodation for teachers would help create an environment where they could concentrate on improving their professional performance.
He further identified modern learning facilities as a priority, including adequate teaching materials and laptops for students to prepare them for competition in an increasingly global environment.
The GCIOBA president also called for improvements to the school’s kitchen and other facilities required to provide students with quality meals, noting that proper nutrition was important to their academic performance and participation in extracurricular activities.
While commending members for their commitment to the development of GCI, Babalakin urged more Old Boys to contribute to the association’s funding efforts, stressing that sustained financial support was essential to maintaining the standard of a school established to nurture gifted students.
The luncheon also featured the celebration of four milestone class sets: the Diamond Jubilee Class of 1965, the Golden Jubilee Class of 1975, the Ruby Jubilee Class of 1985 and the Class of 1995, which marked 30 years since their entry into GCI.
Three distinguished old boys were also honoured with the 2025 GCIOBA National Merit Award for their professional accomplishments and contributions to their alma mater and the association.
The recipients were Taiwo Demuren, 1973 Set, Grier House, a United States-based real estate expert; Prof. Babatunde Ekanola, 1980 Set, Powell House, an academic and chairman of the GCIOBA Class of 1980; and Barrister Olusegun Abimbola, SAN, 1981 Set, a partner at Prime Solicitors, Ibadan.
One of the major highlights of the reunion was the commissioning of several projects executed through the contributions of various class sets and members of the association.
Among the projects were a block of 20 fully furnished rooms for corps members and young teachers, donated by the 1975 Set; a Command Centre equipped to monitor the school premises through CCTV cameras, donated by the 1985 Set; and a modern hockey pitch with a spectators’ stand built to international standards by the Babalakin family.
Other projects included a lawn tennis court and practice wall donated by the 1982 Set; a block comprising eight classrooms, four staff rooms and four 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 within the school premises, also donated by B.O. Babalakin.
Beyond the formal proceedings, the luncheon provided an opportunity for old boys and their guests to reconnect, network and celebrate their shared heritage.
The event featured music by Emelda Ezenwafor’s Estimable Band and catering by Mrs. Eunice Adeoye’s Ripples Catering and Events Services.
The 2025 reunion programme had begun earlier in the week with a public lecture organised by the Lagos branch of GCIOBA.
Olugbenga Ben Ogunmoyela, 1965 Set, Grier House, delivered the lecture titled, “Leadership Imperative for Feeding the Nation: Agriculture, Innovation, and the Nigerian Possibility,” at the National Institute for International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos, on Wednesday, October 15.
On Friday, October 17, the 1975 Set powered the Reunion Golf Tournament at Ibadan Golf Club, Onireke, with the tournament teeing off at 7 a.m.
A special Jumat service was subsequently held at the GCI Mosque at 2 p.m., while the day’s activities continued with reunion novelty football matches.
The first match was the 1975 Set Inter-House Soccer Fiesta, followed by a GCI Old Boys versus Loyola Old Boys encounter scheduled for 4 p.m.
Babalakin Secures Fifth Consecutive Term
Another major development during the reunion was the re-election of Babalakin as GCIOBA National President for a historic fifth consecutive term.
Babalakin, who was first elected president in 2017, had announced the completion of his previous tenure and handed proceedings over to GCIOBA Trustee Kola Mosuro, 1964 Set, to conduct the election of a new executive council.
However, members called for the continuation of the existing leadership.
A motion for the retention of the Babalakin-led executive council was moved by Gbola Akinola of the 1972 Set and received no opposition, following a unanimous vote of confidence in the executive.
Accepting the mandate, Babalakin thanked members for their confidence and pledged to continue working towards the development of GCIOBA and Government College Ibadan.
He also acknowledged that the effectiveness of any president depended largely on the support received from members of the association.
The executive council subsequently presented by Babalakin comprises Tola Obembe, 1977 Set, as Vice President 1; Seun Abimbola, 1981 Set, as Vice President 2; Olanrewaju Olubiyi, 1985 Set, as General Secretary; Damola Adegbite, 1978 Set, as Financial Secretary; Adeolu Akinwumi, 1991 Set, as Social Secretary; Seye Fadahunsi, 1971 Set, as Treasurer; and Abiodun Jolaosho, 1964 Set, as Immediate Past President.
Following his return to office, Babalakin immediately called for preparations to begin for a larger venue for future AGMs, noting that the school’s Assembly Hall was becoming inadequate for the growing number of GCIOBA members attending its meetings.
Since assuming the GCIOBA presidency in 2017, Babalakin has overseen a number of initiatives aimed at strengthening both the association and its alma mater.
A major milestone came in 2022 when the Oyo State Government approved an arrangement that gave the Old Boys a greater role in the management and development of Government College Ibadan.
Under the association’s development drive, several facilities across the school have been renovated, upgraded or newly constructed. These include road infrastructure, solar-powered street lighting, learning facilities and projects aimed at improving the welfare of teaching and non-teaching staff.
With several new projects commissioned during the 2025 reunion, GCIOBA once again demonstrated the enduring commitment of its members to preserving and advancing the legacy of Government College Ibadan.
Credit: City People
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