BUILT ON THE ROCK
My name is Olabopo Bamidele Remilekun Williams hence otherwise known as OBR, Willie or OBRat. I must have been one of the smallest in our set competing with the likes of Adegbola and Abodunde. Although small in stature, we were never small in abilities or we would not havebeen in GCI. I was in Grier House with my best friend then, the late Badmus (Baddy). He is fondly remembered as we do Kila, Amos, Kufo, Aloba and few others. They shall all be remembered for good.
GCI, our school, was ..... Read More
OKONJO ON MY MIND
I Still remember to this day that I had specifically requested to be placed in Grier House (Dad was an old Grierson). This wasn’t a source of grief, I was going off to GCI. So, on that January day, my mother and I motored from Lagos to Ibadan. I was somewhat apprehensive of leaving my folks and going off into this great unknown as it were; however, the excitement of going off to secondary school, the very idea that one was now a “big boy” more than made up for any twinge of fear or ..... Read More
NO OPPORTUNITY TO SAY GOODBYE
After the interview, we returned the following January to begin Form One. Fortunately, Suntana and I were both in Grier House and we hit it off immediately. In fact, upon our arrival, when we discovered that we had been assigned to different rooms in the house, we immediately corrected the egregious accommodation arrangement and promptly moved him into the same room with me. We were soon acquainted with the new order by the senior whose bed we had commandeered, in a most understanding way of ..... Read More
EVOLUTION
Junior Forms (1 & 2)
These years, for me, were a blur. More like being herded around, controlled by senior boys and being strictly regimented along the lines of time to sleep (lights out) and wake up bell at 6 am, sweeping chores till 6.30 am, hurried bath (or not) and dining hall at 7, assembly at 8, classes at 9, lunch at 2, siesta at 3, afternoon prep 4-5; then 5-6 as the only free time to play football or see your paddies in the other region before supper time at 7 pm and then ..... Read More
MBE-COLLEGE MAHA CENTRE – A PROSE POEM
Within the grounds of Apata-Ganga W Crest rests centrally at the Main Gate With manicured lawns either side of the road leading into the school. From time immemorial, School of our pride, Built on the Rock Created excellent pastures, polishing boys to men.
For students, ascending the heights Brought forth desire of excessive might, A hidden promise of future ecstatic delight.
In our time, the interview for boys of the future, Was a 3-day affair, with Latin added to the mixture. Laying the ..... Read More
PROVIDENCE
After gaining admission into several secondary schools including Igbobi College Yaba, ljebu Ode Grammar School, ljebu Ode and Comprehensive High School, Aiyetoro in 1971, I attended the interview for admission into Government College Ibadan which lasted a couple of days but this coincided with the letter of invitation from and interview for admission into King’s College Lagos. Hence, I attended a late interview at King’s college Lagos the following Monday. I found it shoddy unlike the ..... Read More
A JOLLY GOOD FELLA INDEED
Musa A Nurudeen is a blind boy who was admitted from Pacelli Primary School in Lagos. He attended Government College Ibadan with the 1972 Set as the very first blind person admitted into the school by the Principal, Chief J. B. O. Ojo. From his very first day he had to start the race and mingle with us. Sooner than later he had a good, kind accommodative and loving friend, Banji Abodunde, who decided to be his escort throughout
The school years and both were in Field House (Up Green!!!) ..... Read More
THE BLACK TANK AND OTHER MEMORIES
The Black Tank Mater W was an essential need and requirement which was provided by the Water Corporation, Apata in Ibadan. During our time in Government College Ibadan, we had a regular, constant supply from water the mains, which assisted in good health and clean environment. Whenever, there were interruptions on the regular flow during major repairs, we had an alternative as a reservoir in the Black Tank.
The Black Tank as fondly called happens to be located about 30 meters to Field House ..... Read More
MY ENCOUNTER WITH LATIN
This must have been sometime in late November or early December 1971 (those who remember correctly, kindly forgive me, this was over 50 years ago). I received a letter stating I would be expected to spend three days in the boarding house of GCI for an interview into Form One of this great college. Of course I was super excited as I had never spent a night out of my home without my parents. My mum hurriedly got a small portmanteau (yep portmanteau) packed for me with toiletries, decent clothes, ..... Read More
THAT 1971 INTERVIEW
Mannix (Imonikhe Ahimie 1B) lived a few blocks from me on the same street in Ikoyi in those days and we both attended Ireti Primary School, also in the same neighbourhood. When we both got invited for interview in GCI, our dads agreed with one another that his dad would drive us to Ibadan and that my dad would come and fetch us after the interview, three days later.
The interview days were an adventure. Mr. Arodudu (AroBlack) taught us those immortal Latin words, domini domino – domina – ..... Read More