(A TOAST TO ST. GREGORY’S COLLEGE)
The title of my toast: “To Whom It May Concern” is a deliberate choice and we shall come back to that later. In the meantime, let us deal with a “Terror Alert” issued by none other than the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Tunji Disu, who is not only an old boy of St. Gregory’s College, he would be the recipient of a lifetime Achievement Award from his alma mater today.
The alert reads as follow:
“Take heed. Since 1928 when St. Gregory’s College was founded, the following students have been terrorizing and intimidating fellow Nigerians by their phenomenal achievements and peerless integrity as well as relentless pursuit of excellence.
Judiciary: Chief Justice of the Federation – Sir Adetokunbo Ademola
who also attended King’s College, Lagos.
Justice Ayo Irikefe (Supreme Court)
Justice Michael Ekundayo Ogundare (Supreme Court)
Royalty: His Royal Majesty Oba Lamidi Adeyemi (Alafin of Oyo)
Medicine: Chief (Dr.) Moses Adekoyejo Majekodunmi,
Federal Minister of Health and Administrator of Western
Region of Nigeria.
Dr. Bose Emanuel
Dr. Layi Akerele
Professor Taiwo Da Rocha-Afodu
Professor Abayomi Marinho
Dr. Benjamin Ohaeri, Founder First Consultant Hospital.
Politics: Chief Olu Afolabi
Mr. Tokunbo Marinho
Senator Victor Akan
Chief Babs Akerele
Chief Owolabi Martins
Banking: Chief J.K. Agbaje (Executive Director, First Bank of
Nigeria)
Law: Chief Victor Munis
Chief F. G. Cole, S.A.N.
Chief Debo Akande, S.A.N.
Mr. Uche Nwokedi, S.A.N.
Accountancy: Chief Charles Sankey, FCA
Chief Olabode Duro-Emmanuel, FCA.
Mr. Victor Oladipupo Akintola
Mr. Olabode Augusto
Estate Management: Chief Oluyomi Macgregor
Military: General Kehinde Sho-Silva
Colonel Kwe Lawson
Banking: Mr. Tayo Aderinokun
(Co-founder Guaranty Trust Bank Plc)
Mr. Afolabi Peter Akerele
Clergy: Monsignor Pedro Martins
Architecture: Arc. Kola Ishola-Bankole
Arc (Chief) Olufemi Majekodunmi
Civil Engineering: Eng. John Olaotan Towry-Coker
Adviser to the first Prime Minister of the Malay Singapore Federation.
Kwame Duncan
Music: Sir Victor Uwaifo
Mr. Mike Enahoro.
Insurance: Mr. Ben Lawson
Mr. Lamidi Albert
Mr. Ade Marinho
Alas, they have all gone to rest with the Lord. They cannot be charged for terrorism and intimidation.
However, there is a long waiting list of those who are ready and willing to replace them. They are all Gregorians:
Military: General George Emdin
Industry and Commerce: Dr. Michael Omolayole
(former Chairman Unilever Nigeria)
Judiciary: Hon. Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, CFR
(retired Justice of the Supreme Court)
Hon. Justice Niyi Ademola
Hon. Justice Charles Archibong
Police: Chief Tunji Alapini (Retired Deputy Inspector General
of Police)
Diplomatic Service: Ambassador Deinde Fernandes
Clergy: Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie
Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins
Archbishop of Lagos/Proprietor St Gregory’s College
Mr. Wale Adefarasin.
Monsignor Babasia Akpalla
Royalty: His Royal Majesty Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan
Lawal, CON, Abisogun II
Oniru of Iruland, His Royal Majesty Oba Mobadenle
Obalade Oyekan, The Oniladoof Ilado
His Royal Majesty Oba Abdulsemiu Orimadegun Kasali
The Adegboruwa of Igbogbo
Medicine: Professor Francis Okoisor
Professor Theo Ogunbiyi
Dr. Bola Nelson Oyesiku
(President of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons)
Professor Wole Sulaiman
Chief (Dr.) Abimbola Ogunkelu
Dr. Charles Hammond
Dr. John Abebe
Dr. Bode Karunwi
Pharmacy: Mr. Bobby Duro-Emanuel
Politics: Chief Supo Shonibare
Senator Ben Murray-Bruce
Mr. Jimi Agbaje
Mr. Francis Kudayah
Lawyers: Professor M.T. Abdulrazak S.A.N
Mr. Seyi Sowemimo S.A.N
Mr. Olakunle Agbebi S.A.N
Mr. Sigismund Babaseyi Joseph S.A.N
Law: Mr. Segun Munis
Mr. Ademola Akinrele, S.A.N.
Mr. Dolapo Akinrele, S.A.N.
Dr. Alimi Abdulrazak
Mr. Toyin Pinheiro S.A.N.
Accountancy: Etubom Anthony Asuquo Ani, CON; FCA
Former Federal Minister of Finance, Past President of
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, and
Former Chairman and Chief Executive of KPMG Nigeria.
Mr. Oludotun Duro-Emanuel FCA
Mr. Ayo Subair FCA
Insurance: Prince Francis Oluwole Awogboro
(Chairman Ark Insurance Brokers)
Quantity Surveying: Mr. Olusola McGregor
Architecture: Arc. (Chief) Tony Soetan
Arc. Ade Laoye
Civil Service: Mr. Steve Oronsaye (former Head of Service of the
Federation).
Banking: Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of Central Bank of
Nigeria.
Mr. Phillip Ikeazor, Deputy Governor, Central Bank of
Nigeria.
Mr. Segun Agbaje, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc
Prince Bimbo Olashore
Diplomatic Service: Ambassador Chris Okeke
Advertising: Sir Steve Omojafor
Oil & Gas: Chief Gilbert Grant
Mr. Adetunji Adetokunbo Oyebanji
Mr. Tunde Folawiyo
Somehow, the name of the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu has been smuggled into the list.
Hence, the Old Boys of King’s College, Lagos are already savouring the prospect of the Inspector General of Police ordering the immediate arrest of all those Gregorians (including himself) who are on the “WANTED LIST”!!
In a determined effort to lend authenticity to the “WANTED LIST”, it is accompanied by a video of IGP Tunji Disu singing the school song of St. Gregory’s College in his office on the day he was formally decorated with his new rank by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who as you all know is an honorary old boy of King’s College. What is strange though is that for the first time in the history of our beloved nation, no old boy of King’s College, is a member of the Cabinet / Executive Council or Mr. President’s Kitchen cabinet / inner circle. The Gregorians are all over the place. Indeed, this is the first time since we obtained Independence on 1st October 1960 when both the Governor of the Central Bank and the Inspector General of Police are old boys of St. Gregory’s College. Now that the Reserves according to the latest report are about U.S.$55 billion dollars, we shall discuss the issue at the next meeting of King’s College Old Boys Association!!
In the meantime, it is being rumoured that the new currency notes will be green and purple (to match the colours of St. Gregory’s College)!!
Regardless of the long-standing rivalry between our respective schools, I can assure you that the deep-seated admiration of the huge strides by St. Gregory’s College after it was salvaged from the doldroms, decay and decadence is a matter of joyous appreciation by old boys of King’s College. Indeed, King’s College is currently in the throes of the same challenges and we remain truly grateful for the moral support which the old boys of St. Gregory’s College have given us.
It is only the mischief makers who are peddling fake news to the effect that it is a faction of old boys of St. Gregory’s College who have been secretly funding those protesting against the concession granted to the old boys of King’s College to manage their school for the next fifty years.
The least we can do is to urge the Inspector General of Police to order the immediate arrest of the usual suspects.
On a lighter note, both the Governor of the Central Bank and the Inspector General of Police are “Area Boys” from Lagos. In the past, this was the sobriquet for boys from particular areas of Lagos – Isale Eko; Olowogbowo; Oke Popo; Lafiaji; Apongbon; Obalende etc.
From an early age, on account of their family background (pedigree), they were expected to do well in life.
Mr. Tunji Disu and I are from the same area of Lagos – specifically Ricca Street. Ours was number 22 and the Disu family house which was owned by Mr. Soji Disu “Brother Loco”, the IGP’s grandfather who retired from Nigerian Railways and Locomotive Service. Late Alhaji Kafaru Tinubu (his nephew) lived with him and attended Methodist Boy’s High School before joining the police. He rose to the rank of Commissioner and also bagged a law degree. He was President Bola Tinubu’s uncle. Next door at number 23 were the Fahm family; at number 25 were the Ashimi family and the Odojukan family were at number 27.
As for the Governor of the Central Bank, when he was at (who is from Popo Aguda Area of Lagos) Citibank as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer and later Chairman, it was an open secret that he kept an open door for Gregorians. However, the door was firmly shut against old boys of King’s College. He would personally follow up any application or proposal from Gregorians. Alas for old boys of King’s College, it was straight into the dust bin, never to see the light of the day!!
Perhaps I should add that when the late much beloved Chief J.K. Agbaje, a cricket-loving Gregorian was Executive Director at First Bank with responsibility for personnel, he made no apologies for recruiting mostly Gregorians. He would declare without hesitation that his mandate was to hire the best hands. They just happened to be fellow Gregorians. He was a wonderful mentor to many. May his soul continue to rest in peace.
Some of you may be aware that on Friday nights, old boys of King’s College and St. Gregory’s College engage in jousting at the Lagos Motor Boat, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi – all in an endeavour to resolve how Nigeria got into this mess and how do we get out of it?
To my mind, the answer is obvious. The old boys of St. Gregory’s College must do for Nigeria what they have done to their alma mater – by restoring it to its former glory, provenance and pathway to sublime (and enduring) greatness. They must demonstrate the same zeal with regard to the Nigeria project.
The moment you step into the grounds of St. Gregory’s College, the serenity is all encompassing. The centre-piece is the Chapel.
Indeed, Dr. Michael Omolayole who at the age of 98 is the oldest living Gregorian has declared that when he departs, the Chapel of St. Gregory’s College must be in the itenary on his exit journey. His birthday comes up next month and it is not too early to wish him many happy returns and many more years in the service of our nation. Who would believe that he has never been given any national honour?
Dr. Omolayole taught science at St. Gregory’s College for many years after graduating from University of Ibadan. Thereafter, he attended Corpus Christi College, University of Oxford. He also had a brief spell as a teacher at King’s College, Lagos.
Probably unknown to the teachers, the students of St. Gregory’s College were scoring much higher marks in Biology than King’s College boys. It took a while to figure it out. Anyway, it turned out that the Gregorians were getting extra lessons in Biology from the denizens of the adjoining Streets – Mosalasi Street; Odo Street; Ajeniya Street etc. which were known to harbour ladies who readily initiated those precocious students who “jumped the fence/wall” to avail themselves of what was available in the vibrant environment at night.
Indeed, at least two students (Mike and Victor) cut their teeth as budding musicians by playing at nightclubs within a stone throw of St. Gregory’s College. What has become folklore is the occasion when Mike sneaked out of the college and was declared missing by the House Master, Father Moran. In order to catch Mike red-handed, the House Master sat all night on Mike’s bed which had been made to look as if it was occupied.
When Mike leapt back over the fence, he got wind of the trouble that was waiting for him in the dormitory. Expulsion from the Boarding House would be the minimum punishment. Mike was quick witted. He made straight for the House Master’s office and spent the night on the doorstep.
In the morning the House Master was gobsmacked to find Mike curled up while feigning illness. His story was that he needed medical attention during the night and sought refuge in the House Master’s office. The House Master was flabbergasted. He conceded defeat and declared Mike the winner. “Nice one, Mike. You got me” was his verdict.
As regards: “TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN” it is a throwback to the military regime of Major-General Buhari / Major-General Tunde Idiagbon which decided to launch a war against indiscipline and corruption in the police. The Inspector-General of Police Etim Okon Inyang was ordered to inform all police stations and all policemen/policewomen that henceforth any cases of indiscipline or corruption would be dealt “with immediate effect” What would follow swiftly would be the severest punishment.
The Inspector-General promptly sent out a signal to all formations. In accordance with the style at that time, it was headed:
“To Whom It May Concern.”
Anyway, by the time it reached Apapa Police Station which was headed by DPO Inspector Nuhu Ribadu what followed next was somewhat bizarre. The DPO summoned all the men and women under his command and read out the Inspector-General’s message. What ensued was dead silence. However, an intrepid corporal turned to the chap sitting next to him and demanded:
“Yellow. It concern you?” The response he got was
“No. It no concern me” (in pidgin English).
The Corporal tried the policeman sitting to his other side but the response was the same.
It was at that point that the Corporal delivered the message to the DPO:
“This no concern us.”
