Dr. Olawale Babalakin, the National President of the Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association (GCIOBA), recently announced a commitment to ensure that teachers employed by the association will receive their salaries on or before the 25th of each month, beginning in October.

Speaking at the inauguration of multi-million-naira infrastructure projects and during the school’s 95th-anniversary celebration, Babalakin highlighted the association’s dedication to enhancing the welfare of teachers. “We aim to pay salaries on or before the 25th of every month starting in October 2024. I urge our donors to fulfill their commitments well in advance to enable our treasury to implement our plans effectively,” he stated.

He further shared that the association’s Teachers’ Support Fund (TSF) currently supports 20 teachers, with ambitions to increase that number to 45. “Our goal is to employ 45 exceptional teachers to elevate the standards of education at GCI,” Babalakin noted, while also recognizing the significant contributions from the North America branch, which currently funds eight teachers and two technical staff, alongside assistance from other Old Boys who have supported the employment of an additional 10 teachers.

Lanre Olubi, the General Secretary of GCIOBA, elaborated on the association’s strategic 25-year plan aimed at positioning GCI among the top 10 schools in Nigeria. “In the past year, we’ve partnered with Price Waterhouse Cooper to create a roadmap for achieving the number one status for GCI. They’ve developed a 25-year plan with milestones for measuring our progress. In the next five years, we aspire to see GCI rank among the top 10 in the country,” he shared. Olubi emphasized that the commitment from Old Boys is essential for attracting and retaining high-quality teachers.

“We’re focused on ensuring that we have quality educators who can provide the necessary intellectual support to the students at Government College. GCIOBA stands as one of the most formidable old boys’ associations. While we face challenges in funding and participation, we believe more Old Boys should step up to take on these responsibilities,” he explained.

During the week-long celebration, former acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Adebisi Shonubi, delivered a lecture titled “Haw, What We Do?” which underscored the significance of teacher quality in enhancing student performance. “Teacher quality refers to how educators utilize their knowledge, skills, and abilities to craft meaningful pedagogic experiences for students. It encompasses the interactions between students and teachers in the classroom and teachers’ behaviors that foster positive educational outcomes,” he remarked.

Thanks to the efforts of the Old Boys Association, the school has seen significant transformation with the completion of several multi-million-naira infrastructure projects. These initiatives were officially inaugurated by Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde.

Noteworthy projects include the renovation of the Principal’s Lodge by the Class of 1964, the construction of Grier House by Babalakin (Class of 1971), the refurbishment of the football pitch by the September Class of 1973, and the dining hall renovation by Demola Odutola (Class of 1970). Other completed projects encompass the renovation of the Assembly Hall, the Technical Drawing building, the Buttery, and Quadrangle buildings.

In his remarks, Governor Makinde commended the Old Boys for their dedication to revitalizing GCI, emphasizing their pivotal role in addressing infrastructure gaps in education. He reinforced his commitment to supporting their endeavors in creating a brighter future for Nigerian children, stating, “Only the gifted will be sent here.”