The fun-filled and annual luncheon event organised by the Government College Ibadan Old Boys’ Association (GCIOBA), Ibadan Branch, has recently been held at the Felicia Hall, Jogor Centre, Ibadan, tagged ‘A day of reminiscences’.

The Chairman, Ibadan branch, Professor Yemi Badejoko, while welcoming old boys and the participants to the occasion, said, the day of the event was chosen not due to lack of serious issues to deliberate upon, but to delve into the past and remind the old boys of the things they cherished while developing at tender ages in the school.

He added: “It must be clear that the issue of decay and stagnation in education are national issues as they are not only peculiar to GCI. Remembrance of our youthful days are needed to brighten our focus and let the young ones know what they are really missing in terms of boarding houses and moral development, with the fear of Boko Haram in the nation.”

The Chairman, Planning Committee, Engineer Femi Babalola, during his remark, admitted that the culture and tradition of academic excellence have been eroded by the inactions of successive administrators and poor education policies in the state, saying that upon poor maintenance, many of the college buildings have become dilapidated and educational materials therein are obsolete. He said: “The onus now lies on us as old boys to revamp our ageing legacy, our collective heritage, our GCI. It is about time we all came together to restore its tradition of academic and sporting excellence, as well as its culture of inculcating leadership orientation in the current students.”

During his keynote address, the Lagos branch Chairman of the GCI, Dr. Wale Babalakin, a 1971 set, said: “I am thoroughly intimidated by the attendance of very senior old boys at this occasion. I congratulate the planning committee and Ibadan branch for a job well done. Talking about reminiscences, we cannot finish talking about it because it is a complex issue. Discipline was the watchword then in GCI. In fact, it was an assembly of merits. As early as 1929, there were many facilities that set standard for GCI, but today, decline is the word in terms of infrastructural facilities in the school. What a melancholic decline! As it is today, what I can only do is to lament.

Speaking further, Mr. Babalakin added that our leaders are missing it, saying: “When GCI was bringing us up, we were being brought up in a Nigeria where we never knew it would be. Today, Nigeria has disappointed us. The school itself has disappointed us. But what we have learnt in GCI will never disappoint us as it was one of the best schools in the world.”

In his closing remark, Mr. Femi Babalola, however expressed optimism and hope the glory of the school returns as soon as possible.

•Photo shows Government College Ibadan Old Boys, chorusing their school anthem, during their annual luncheon ceremony held at the Felicia Hall, Jogor Centre.