My time at Ibadan Grammar School 1970-74 was both inspiring and memorable. I started in Class 1A and was a boarding student in Olubadan House. These were my formative years, where I established long lasting friendships, which had a profound impact on my life till date. Education at IGS was balanced and anyone that can successfully pass through IGS and also allowed IGS to pass through him or her will surely be able to survive anywhere in the world – the well-rounded education instilled the ‘I can do spirit’ and laid the foundation for courage, boldness and risk-taking disposition in me.
The early years were a little overwhelming and intimidating for a 12-year old who never left home before, but now living with older and bigger boys in the boarding house – it was a fast pace learning experience almost like drinking from a fire hose. As the most junior in class one, navigating the hierarchical ladder of seniority up to upper-six class seniors required a lot of skills and smartness – we were the lowest in the food chain! You needed to be fast thinking and quick on your feet, otherwise everyone will take advantage of you. The Principal was Chief Labiyi an Old Boy and a quintessential principal. Our Head Boy was Richard Giwa-Osagie, and my House Captains were Ayo Adeniyi, Lanre Akin-Deko, and my Room Captain was Prof. Dapo Afolabi (former Head of Federal Civil Service Nigeria).
Our class teacher and English teacher was Mrs. Bose from India. The geography teacher was Pa. Adeniyi (aka Pa Geo). Once he entered the class, all were be required to stand-up, and you only get to sit down after successfully answering any of the questions based on previous lesson. The Agricultural Science master was Mr. Adewami (aka Pa. Primi). Others are Mr. Olaluwoye Akinbanji (aka Circle ‘K’), Mr. Idowu, Mr. Yele Akinsete – Sports Master, and many others. These dedicated teachers of all time, taught us the importance of diligence, unwavering commitment to set objectives and tenacity of purpose.
While some preferred to hide in the bush (Upper Canada – along the River Jordan) during Chapel service, I enjoyed attending the School Chapel and loved the Sunday evening Sing Song – from the “Songs of Praise”. Till today, anytime I listen to any of the traditional hymns, it brings back the nostalgic memories of IGS Chapel. The impact of the regular Sunday services at the school was so ardent in me till today that my Sunday will be incomplete without attending Church Service. The first staunch Christian I knew at the School in 1970 was Chris Ijoma (now Ekwonna) – of Olubi House, who has remained till today my model of Christian faith and strength.
The School offered many opportunities and exposure to many educational, sporting, and cultural activities – Inter-house sports, Festival of Arts and Culture, Boys’ Scout Movement, table tennis, lawn tennis, cricket, basketball, and athletics for which I was the Olubadan House Jnr 100 metres champion at a time. With the sporting skills acquired from IGS, at my places of work, I have won many trophies in table tennis which I proudly adorned my living room.
Whenever I visited my boys and interacted with their housemasters during their times at Winchester College and Harrow School, the boarding system in these famous UK schools reminded me of my IGS days and quite comparable.
Every generation of people have their own challenge; the challenge of Bishop Akinyele and our forefathers, was to lay a solid foundation for IGS – this they succeeded. The challenge of our generation is to restore the high reputation and old glory of IGS for posterity.
Deo et Patriae!
Adeyinka Okuwoga Ph.D (UCL), MBA, FRICS