What It Takes To Be The Young Girl Of An Old Boy
It appears the phrase “Old Boy” is unique to GCI as I haven’t heard it being used by other Secondary Schools. Rather, the pattern is “Old Student” in other schools.
This now takes me to an experience I had one day while in the service of Oyo State Government. I was passing by the Post Office at the Oyo State Secretariat premises when suddenly I heard a call, “Young Girl” . I looked back immediately because I knew that must be an Old Boy of GCl referring to the wife of one of them who by tradition is called ‘Young Girl’. Lo and behold, it was Dr. Dele Obileye — a Classmate of my husband in GCI. Honestly, I felt very happy and elated (as if I was on top of the world) for the greeting and recognition.
This singular act, I’ll say then spoke and still speaks volumes today of an Old Boy of GCl. This shows the wonderful tradition, love and good human relations every Old Boy must have acquired from the College. I’m indeed proud to be associated with you.
However, there are some characteristics (in-born or acquired) of the Old Boy that I am married to today. Some of them I have come to appreciate while the others I have tried to adapt to, live with or live by. I must quickly add that the positive traits far outweigh the negative ones.
(i) Integrity and high quality education.
The Old Boy places high values on integrity and acquisition of high quality education. This probably accounts for his encouragement to me to obtain my University degree in Nursing shortly after completing my course in the School of Nursing at the University College Hospital, lbadan before we got married — almost to the point of saying (with body language), “no University degree, no marriage.” Can you imagine that? But on reflection today, I can say, without any iota of doubt that but for the possession of that University degree at such an early stage in my career, I wouldn’t have got to the peak in the Civil Service of Oyo State.
(ii) Intelligent discussions and critical analysis of events/situations.
One needs to get involved in discussions with the Old Boy to appreciate his high level of intelligence and capacity to analyse issues deeply. The only problem here, at times, is that he may dominate the discussion and may want you to accept his point of view. This is when patience has to come in.
(iii) Principle.
The Old Boy is so principled that if he believes in a cause, he will not shift grounds. In fact, the statement of Thomas Jefferson that “In matter of principle, stand like a rock” adequately fits him. In matters of political beliefs and leanings, he does not follow the majority blindly. He has remained unchanged and unchangeable till date.
(iv) Good role model.
The Old Boy is a very homely family man who right from the beginning has instilled discipline into his children. He doesn’t smoke cigarette, drink any form of alcohol or ever keeps late nights. Normally, he gets back home latest by 6.30 pm.
(v) High knowledge of happenings around the world.
He listens to news (local and international, especially BBC and CNN) religiously at specific hours of the day and night as if he is studying for an examination. He always wants to be current with happenings around him and in other places all over the world. This attribute (or weakness?) did not go down well with my lifestyle initially, especially at those odd hours of the night when my sleep was terribly disturbed. I got to know later that GCI boys, while at school, spent long hours of the night swotting (albeit illegally). So, I had to adjust being awake with him at such odd times. A price one has to pay for marrying an Old Boy of GCI!
(vi) Lively disposition.
There’s hardly any dull moment when one is with the Old Boy because of his extrovert nature. Incidentally, I’m more of an introvert who prefers a quiet life. However, a compromise was struck along the line, making me to talk more today than I used to do as a spinster.
(vii) Progressive-mindedness and large heart. The Old Boy has always encouraged me and our children to move towards perfect fulfilment and excellence. An example that readily comes to mind was the time I was about completing my Technical Aid Corps Programme in Zambia. I sought his opinion as to whether or not I should get a better job elsewhere instead of returning to Nigeria to carry on with the Civil Service after de-briefing. Hear his reply:
“Come back home first, I want you to get to the peak of your profession i.e. becoming Director of Nursing Services before you leave Service”.
I complied. Little did we know then that not only would I become Director of Nursing Services but a Permanent Secretary before my exit from the Civil Service of Oyo State.
The Old Boy gave me every necessary support, advice and assistance.
(viii) Modesty.
The Old Boy is very simple with his dressing and is never fussy on issues of food. He doesn’t wear jewellery and detests men who put on such or ladies who wear heavy make-up.
In view of his Ekiti background, I started off trying to pound yam for him. But to my surprise, he told me not to continue specifically because of him. However, he loves rice with fried plantain, eba or amala with ewedu/okro/vegetable soup. On the other hand, he can’t stand the special delicacy of Oyo bean soup (gbegiri) and that’s why there must be an alternative if this has to be prepared.
(ix) Commitment to the family, close friends (especially Old Boys) and his school i.e. GCI.
The Old Boy holds them in high esteem and refers to them with pride. However, he can be very restless especially when in the company of other Old Boys at any function. You’ll find him moving from one table to another without minding the Young Girl. This has been accepted though.
(x) Interest.
The Old Boy spends his leisure period playing the traditional ‘ayo game’ and watching interesting soccer matches.
(xi) Faith. The Old Boy believes in God and worships liberally. He prefers orthodox churches and has preference to those ones that use the English-Language as the medium of communication. He easily gets bored when the hours of worship are prolonged. Since I prefer Christian worship conducted in the Yoruba-Language, we don’t go to church together on Sundays.
(xii)
On a lighter note, the Old Boy can be autocratic at times and on such occasions, he will want you to comply with his stand or position without questioning.
In summary, to be the Young Girl of an Old Boy calls for submissiveness, patience, tolerance, perseverance, trust, modesty and above all faith in God with total submission to His will.
By and large though, it’s been a wonderful, peaceful, interesting and successful union in spite of the challenges that cropped up. The Lord has always been faithful to us and has helped us to complement each other’s strength while de-emphasising our weak points.
Written by Mrs Mubo Obasa, a retired Permanent Secretary, Health and Hospital Monitoring Board, Oyo State Ministry of Health; Young Girl of Jide Obasa (1962).
Culled from '50 years growing from the Rock, The Lives and Times of Government College Ibadan Class of '62'.
Credits: Olaleye Falore (Carr, 1962), for giving GCI Museum a copy of his Class Set Golden Anniversary Publication
