GCI Showed me how - Babatunde Ikotun

LEARNING THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEADERSHIP

For our set, the 1962 entrants, we resumed school on January 19, 1966. My Uncle, Mr. Isaac Obe brought my younger Uncle, Mr. Israel Obe and I to Swanston House where we were allocated. A- bros-Isi whose school name was Obe was placed in room 6, and I, in room 3.

After dinner, we assembled in the preparation Room for an assembly to welcome new students and to announce the positions of responsibility for the term. Names of school prefects were announced, so also were the names of the House prefects. After announcing the names of the heads of Rooms, the new students were allocated to their "teachers" who will mentor them until they become seniors in the school. My teacher's name was Akin Kuforiji (of blessed memory). Then positions of responsibility were announced and I was put under Akinbola (a form four student and classmate of my teacher), to be a store boy. As store boys, Murtala Lawal always supplied cocoa, tea, coffee, milk and sugar every morning to the Dining hall. We also supplied bananas as dessert in the afternoons. Wherever there was emergency public holiday and most boys went home. We had surplus of these items and made merry with them. Extra meat, fish, omelette were given to us after meals. We fed well and started to develop muscles. I was sad when at the end of the first term, we were shuffled around and I became a mess boy. In addition, I was appointed the House carpenter, a job I did very well. 1 also messed very well in the Dining hall. My best days were Eba and Ewa days. I always ate four rations of both dishes.

I was the best grasscutter in Swanston House and was given a prize for that in form three. Early in the morning every Monday, I always went to my portion and scrape through it in fifteen minutes. Fellow students would stand by watching the lawn mower of a man cut the grass so evenly and effortlessly that they always begged me to help them with theirs.

In form four, I joined the Army Cadet Unit. At the end of that year, we attended the annual camping exercise. This was in December 1965. The camp was at Tapa, near Abeokuta. Little did we know that the camping was the dress rehearsal for the 1966 coup that threw the Tafawa Balewa government out. One of the majors pouted indiscreetly that... "you boys think that you are seeing action now. Wait until next month and you will see what action is". It later dawned on us that the coup was what he was referring to, ahead of time.

By first term, 1966, my School Certificate Examination year, I was promoted a Corporal (a non- commissioned Officer) and I deputized for the Head of the Cadet Unit, Sergeant Ogunrinde. I was in lower sixth form in January 1967 when I was promoted Sergeant and Head of the Cadet Unit. This was the year the civil war started. The Nigerian Army took special interest in us - Ikotun, Adegbayibi, Owolabi, Adesanya (of blessed memory) and Gold. We were all given proper training. The army always sent us a three-ton truck to convey us to Letmau barracks in Mokola for training. I never knew that I was being watched together with Gold. I was surprised when in September, 1967, I was promoted staff sergeant. After passing out of GCI in 1968, I was promoted Warrant Officer II preparatory to my joining the Army. My father refused to allow me to join the Army, so, I went to the University to become the Academician that I am today. 1962 Class Set

In January 1967, I was appointed a House Prefect and House Secretary of Athletics. I was the School's Hockey Goalkeeper, member of the school's Athletics team throwing javelin and captain of the 2nd XI Cricket team. In the second term of 1967, I was appointed House Secretary and in the third term, Deputy head of House and School Prefect in-charge of food; oh yes I ate well!

In 1968, I was appointed Head of Swanston House, a position I held until I passed out in December that year. It was good to have learned how to serve according to our school motto "Learning to serve". This prepared me for my future and armed me sufficiently for all the leadership positions I held and I am still holding today.


Culled From: Growing from the Rock 50th Anniversary Yearbook 1962 Set.
Submitted by: Babatunde Ikotun 1962.