curator3's blog
The traditional ruler of Ido Ani, Ondo State, Oba Major Gen. Olufemi Olutoye (rtd.) (Grier,1945), known as Olutoye Samuel while in Government College, recounts his part in the January 1966 Coup in an interview with Nigerian Tribune in 2016.
How was your growing up period like before joining the military?
Government College Ibadan was a natural choice for me to make because it was one of the top schools in the Western Region at that time. I grew up in Ibadan where I had my primary school education. My uncle who knew much about GCI recommended the college and coincidentally, the Principal, Chief J. B. Ojo, happened to be my father's friend. Although I considered about three other options for my secondary school education, namely Igbobi College, Lagos; St. Finbarr's College, Akoka, Lagos and GCI, I worked hard at making it to GCI because it had a highly competitive admission
- The DJB/JBO Revolt
It was sometime in 1968 when the news went round that our school Principal, Mr. D. J. Bullock (popularly referred to as "DJB"), who we had grown extremely fond of, was to be transferred to Comprehensive High School, Aiyetoro. In exchange, Chief J. B. O. Ojo, an Old Boy of the school, who was then the Principal of Comprehensive High School, Aiyetoro, was to be our new Principal. We literally flipped and the entire school went berserk, riotous and became ungovernable! "Nibo? Ko possible !"
Looking back made me lose vital race
Forced Change of Name
Alexander Adeyinka Adebayo, who was one year my senior harassed and embarrassed me into dropping my first name Alexander for my other name Oluwagbemiga, on the ground that I could not be bearing the same name Alexander with him. I was in Class One then and we were both in Swanston House. Now, what could a newcomer do then? However, irrespective of that, Alexander remains still part of my identity.
The supremacy fight
It was sometime in April 1971 at the Provincial Athletics Championships competition at the Liberty Stadium in Ibadan The competition was coming to an end and as usual, it was time for the relay race, which is always the highlight of the championships. The GCI team comprised Eniola Sanu - the first leg, Tunde Bamgbelu - second leg, my good self - third leg and Yato Adeyemi, the anchor. The race started very well with fantastic and beautiful baton exchanges from the first leg to the second leg and from the second leg to the third leg.
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