Excitement, joy and camaraderie enveloped the atmosphere last week when a group of old students of Igbotako Community Grammar School, ICGS, in Ondo State, re-united after almost four decades.
Meeting under the aegis of Class of 86, the students held their inaugural re-union at Chief Aderemi Olowoselu’s residence in Ilogbo, Ogun State.
Delivering the inaugural speech, Acting President of the group, Comrade Mike Olatunji (Aka Negro during his days at ICGS) said: “Thirty six years ago, we were full of vigour and enthusiasm, with the dreams and energy of youth, to meet each other and to learn and seek knowledge. Since then, every piece of the sky has fallen into our laughter.
“I thought about the years when we were reading together, and the youthful years of getting along with each other, And happiness filled my heart. Thirty six years ago, we were young and we were full of prosperity! We have been eager for knowledge, growth wisdom, future, flying dreams, and the education of our alma mater has benefited us for the rest of our lives.”
Going down memory lane, Olatunji spoke on their reminiscences of the fond memories of some of the teachers that molded their lives to become whoever they are today. He quickly remembers Mr Evans Olowojaiye who was their principal, the late Omoti who was incharge of Physical Education, the stern-looking Mathematics teacher, Mr Ajogbeje and a host of other teachers whose canes lacerated their backs in those five years at the alma mater.
“We remember the days of queuing up to buy rice and beans from one Urhobo woman called Dele food joint and provisions from another man called Okugbere. We didn’t mind the early morning sweat due to heat.
“We dare not come to school looking scruffy, we dare not walk sluggishly around the school compound, we dare not act timid when being spoken to. We were all kept on our toes!
“The Principals, three in all (Olowojaiye, Akinmosin and Akinlo} together with the teachers, all took deliberate steps to ensure that we were tutored, trained and prepared to take on our world. We were molded into young men and ladies with great finesse and class. We won several interschool debates and competitions with so much prestige and confidence. We became the envy of schools around us. We were unstoppable!
We were drilled, stretched, pruned, disciplined, we were challenged but we kept our dreams alive and 36 years after, we are here. Stronger! Wiser!”