Thank You, Chief J.B.O. Ojo, Our Dear Principal!

I remembered Chief J.B.O Ojo (1940, Swanston House), GCI Principal (1968 - 1974), recently, and I decided to do a short tribute to him. But, before I go on, please permit me to state that this effort is not intended to draw attention to myself in any way.

It’s simply intended to honour Chief J.B.O Ojo, a perfect gentleman, a foremost educationist, renowned sportsman, astute administrator, and an ardent lover of people, who I owe a debt of gratitude, for making it possible for me to attend GCI. It was him who alerted my dad regarding the interview, which gave birth to my set. Up till now, the letter inviting me for the said interview has not surfaced, more than forty-five (45) years after.

It may interest you that I was a motor mechanic apprentice at some point in my life, even though I had always wanted to be a medical doctor. But, along the way, I derailed and abandoned my studies at GCI for a while in Class Two. The reason being that a senior boy called me a leper; a derogatory label in our culture, and an insult to me, a self-confessed prince of Àkúré Land.

I was under the tutelage of Baba Yellow, an Adamasingba, Ibadan, based motor mechanic, without my father's consent. He was abroad at that time, and my mother could not persuade me to go back to school. Baba Yellow was a good and easy-going man! He had a couple of wives, many children, a rented apartment, and a fairly used green Opel Record car. To me, he was successful, and I craved to be like him.

I settled down very quickly at Baba Yellow's garage, and before long, I picked up some traits associated with many motor mechanic garages in Nigeria. That is dirtiness, playfulness, talkativeness, deceitfulness, etc. Besides, I learnt how to ‘toast' girls to a little extent. I remember having a crush on one ègbá girl who sold bread and ‘èwà elépo' nearby.

Above was my life, till my father returned home from his overseas trip unannounced one day and saw me in my dirty, greasy, and smelly mechanic uniform. Of course, he was very angry with me, and very early the following day, he bundled me back to GCI, amid loud protestation from me. That day, my dream of becoming a motor mechanic like Baba Yellow ended abruptly.

As luck would have it, Chief J.B.O Ojo, accepted me back to GCI unconditionally and protected me. Besides, he was kind enough not to announce my escapade to all and sundry, thus, saving me from unpleasant backlashes and everlasting cruel jokes.

Today, Chief J.B.O Ojo is no more with us, but, I am full of gratitude to him, for giving me a rare second chance. His contribution to who I am today cannot be overemphasized. May his sweet gentle soul continue to rest in perfect peace, in Jesus name. Amen.

Adedayo Adegbulu (Stoney),

Carr House, 1973 (A) Set.

Submitted By: 

ADEGBULU Adedayo
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