IBADAN

HISTORY OF IGBOBI COLLEGE OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION, IBADAN BRANCH

The Igbobi College Old Boys’ Association (ICOBA) Ibadan Branch was formed on the initiative of Dr. Samuel Mbanefo, a medical doctor practicing in Ibadan in the nineteen-sixties. He was the first President while Professor Ayo Banjo, a current trustee of ICOBA, was the first secretary. When Dr. Mbanefo relocated to Onitsha, Justice Samuel O. Okunribido and Engr. O. A. Falase became Presidents in respective years. Mr. B. A. Fashoro later succeeded Engr. Falase and was in office for 10 years, having served from 1977 to 1987. Meanwhile, Prof. Abiodun Johnson succeeded Prof. Ayo Banjo as Secretary.

 

The branch has had the good fortune of being led by eminent members, among who served long terms as President, namely, Professor Ade Ajayi, an erudite scholar and renowned historian, who served for 10 years from 1992 to 2002, followed in quick succession by Professor Olaofe Olurin, an acclaimed surgeon and former President of Nigeria Medical Association, who was President for 9 years from 2002 to 2011. Other past Presidents who are still with us today and continue to actively participate as members of the Executive Committee in ex-officio capacity (from the oldest to the youngest) are Professors A. B. O. Desalu, who is the oldest Professor of Anatomy in Nigeria, Ayo Banjo, ICOBA Trustee and a Nigerian National Order of Merit Award Winner and T. O. Bamkole, a former Vice Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University.

 

Mention must also be made of Engr.’Biyi Okege, a versatile Old Igbobian who for a long time was Chairman of the Anniversary Committee and an elected member of the National Executive Council as well as Dr. Olumuyiwa Olusanya, a founding father and current Patron of the Association of General Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, Prof. E. B. Lucas who also doubled as an ex-teacher at Igbobi College. Speaking of Teachers, ICOBA Ibadan branch has the distinguished honour of having the oldest living ex-teacher, Chief Adepoju Akomolafe who at 104 years is a retired Principal of Ekiti Parapo College, Ido-Ekiti.

 

Ibadan was the only organized body of Old Boys of Igbobi College for at least 10 years before the formation of the National ICOBA. It was not until some old boys from Lagos came to interact with members of the ICOBA Ibadan Executive Committee led by the then President, Justice Uche-Omo, that a national body was proposed to be formed in Lagos with the position of Vice-President subsequently reserved for ICOBA Ibadan.

 

The ICOBA Ibadan branch has produced numerous men of distinction including many Professors, some of whom reached the apex of university administration. To date, the branch has produced at least eight Vice-Chancellors, namely: Professors Oritsejolomi Thomas, Ayo Banjo and Dele Falase for the University of Ibadan; Professors Ade Ajayi and Kwaku Adadevoh for the University of Lagos; Professors Folabi Olumide and Enitan Bababunmi for Lagos State University and Professor Titus Olubode Bankole for Olabisi Onabanjo University. The association is also proud of its members who were recipients of the Nigeria National Order of Merit (NNOM) award, a prestigious annual award that recognizes Nigeria’s very best. The list boasts of Prof Ade Ajayi, Prof Ayo Banjo and Prof Ayodele Falase. Apart from these outstanding old boys, there are several others who have attained great heights in their various callings, who are too numerous to mention, suffice it to say however that wherever there is an old Igbobian, there is always a noble Nigerian.

 

The Ibadan branch of ICOBA is particularly noted for its dynamism and patriotism having operated independently well before the emergence of the national association. The branch meets quarterly in members’ residences. At these meetings, honorifics are temporarily set aside and there is a warm feeling of camaraderie. Executive Committee meetings are usually held in the President’s house on the Thursday preceding the quarterly General Meeting. Furthermore, the branch holds its own Commemoration Day ceremony annually at a Church service on the Sunday following the Celebrations in Lagos (which are also enthusiastically attended by members). The Commemoration service is usually followed by a luncheon reception at the President’s house. During these events, local merit awards of the branch are conferred on deserving members.

 

Over the years, the branch has enjoyed the support of the wives of members who go to an extra length to ensure that we enjoy a friendly and highly conducive atmosphere during our quarterly meetings and the Annual Thanksgiving Anniversary. Even after the demise of their husbands, many wives have continued to relate and support the association in various ways. To all of them, we are eternally grateful.

 

In conclusion, ICOBA Ibadan branch members have, over the years, demonstrated love, passion and gratitude for their alma mater. They relish reminiscing whenever they come together and take delight in celebrating the achievements of members that make the College proud. Many members have made sacrifices in different ways, to give back to the College, for example Prof Ade Ajayi donated an e-library to the College while Sir Dele Ige donated a set of Encyclopedias on behalf of the Ibadan branch to the College Library. We are eager to continue to support the College to grow from strength to strength.

 

The school’s outstanding academic records qualify it to be the first school in West Africa to be listed in Whitaker’s Almanac of Public Schools. However, the most treasured of the Igbobi College brand is reflected in the Coda of the School Song, which states:

 

“Wherever there’s an Igbobian,

There also is a noble Nigerian”.

 

Omnes unum in Domino (All One in the Lord)

 

THE CURRENT EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF IBADAN BRANCH OF ICOBA (2020)

  1. Chief Tokunbo Ajasin –           Branch Chairman
  2. Onnuola Adewunmi –           1st Vice– Chairman
  3. Adebayo Folorunso –           2nd Vice–Chairman
  4. Adekunle A. Olarewaju –           Honorary Secretary
  5. Rasheed Ariyo –           Assistant Secretary
  6. Ademola Idowu             –           Treasurer
  7. Rotimi Desalu/Usman Olanrewaju Oladejo – Financial Secretary
  8. S.O. Onabanjo             –           Welfare Officer
  9. Olusoji Ofi             –           Auditor
  10. Ayo Banjo             –           Ex-Officio (Past Chairman)
  11. A.B. O. Desalu             –           Ex-Officio (Past Chairman)
  12. T.O. Bamkole             –           Ex-Officio (Past Chairman)
  13. Very Revd. Adetokunbo Dawodu – Chairman Anniversary Committee

 

PAST PRESIDENTS

  1. Dr Samuel Mbanefo             (of blessed memory)
  2. O. A. Falase             (of blessed memory)
  3. Justice Samuel Okunribido (of blessed memory)
  4. B. A. Fashoro (1977-1987) (of blessed memory)
  5. Chief E. O. Otitoju (1987-1989 (of blessed memory)
  6. Justice Uche Omo (1989–1990 (of blessed memory)
  7. Ayo Banjo             (1990-1992)
  8. J. F. Ade-Ajayi             (1992–2002 (of blessed memory)
  9. E. O. Olurin             (2002–2011 (of blessed memory)
  10. A. B. O. Desalu             (2011 -2014)
  11. T. O. Bamkole             (2015–2017)

 

PAST SECRETARIES

  1. Ayo Banjo
  2. Abiodun Johnson
  3. Wale Laditan
  4. Emmanuel ‘Dipo Otolorin
  5. Babatunde Osotimehin (of blessed memory)
  6. Kunle Mosuro
  7. C.A. Folorunso
  8. M.M. Umukoro
  9. Yinka Bada

 

PAST TREASURERS

  1. Abiodun Johnson
  2. Adebayo Olumide (of blessed memory)
  3. Olusoji Ofi
  4. Chief Tokunbo Ajasin

 

PAST FINANCIAL SECRETARIES

  1. Canon Prof. E. B. Lucas
  2. The Very-Revd. Tokunbo Dawodu
  3. Prince Abimbola Makanjuola (of blessed memory)
  4. Yinka Bada
  5. Ademola Idowu

 

2020 ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE

  1. The Very-Revd. Tokunbo Dawodu – Chairman
  2. S. O. Onabanjo
  3. Yinka Bada
  4. Rotimi Desalu
  5. Ademola Idowu
  6. Bolaji Tubi
  7. Adekunle Olarewaju
  8. Rotimi Egunyomi

 

IBADAN BRANCH HONOUREES

  1. Horatio Oritsejolomi Thomas (of blessed memory)
  2. Chief Olubunmi Thomas (of blessed memory)
  3. Samuel Mbanefo (of blessed memory)
  4. (Chief) D. B. Ogutuga
  5. Bayo Olumide (of blessed memory)
  6. Babatunde Osotimehin (of blessed memory)
  7. Enitan Bababunmi (of blessed memory)
  8. Emmanuel Oladipo Otolorin
  9. V. A. Banjoko
  10. M. O. Olatawura (of blessed memory)
  11. Very-Revd.Tokunbo Dawodu
  12. S. O. Onabanjo
  13. Chief Tokunbo Ajasin
  14. C. A. Folorunso
  15. (Chief)S. O. Ogun
  16. Prince Abimbola Makanjuola (of blessed memory)
  17. A. B. O. Desalu
  18. Niyi Olumide
  19. Yinka Bada
  20. M. M. Umukoro
  21. Olumuyiwa Olusanya
  22. Venerable Dr. Micheal Odeyinde (of blessed memory)
  23. Ademola Idowu
  24. Dr. Gabriel Olatubosun Adefolaju (Post-humous)
  25. Adekunle Olarewaju
  26. Chief R. F. Adesina (of blessed memory)
  27. Babarinu Falode
  28. Rotimi Desalu
  29. Bolaji Tubi
  30. Onnuola Adewunmi
  31. Kayode Segun

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