In continuation of the 90th anniversary reunion celebration of the Government College Ibadan, a special Public lecture will be held tomorrow at the Afe Babalola Hall, University of Lagos, to discuss and proffer solution the Energy Challenges in Nigeria.
The Annual Public Lecture titled Resolving Nigeria’s Energy Challenges will have in attendance outstanding speakers selected to do justice to the discourse with a clear objective to providing workable solution to the current energy crisis facing the country.
Speaking exclusively to IbadanCity Announcer on the 90th anniversary annual reunion epoch making event, the National Social Secretary and Chairman, Planning Committee, Pastor Yinka Adepoju highlighted the importance of the public lecture and the relevance of the discourse in this present time of Nigeria
“Nigeria has energy crisis since independence and every successive government has been trying to find a lasting solution to the epileptic power problem, we thought hard about it and agreed it will be appropriate at this particular period to use this platform to proffer lasting solution to the problem. We have carefully selected the best brains, professionals, thoroughbred and energy experts among the old students of Government College as speakers at the public lecture. You can be assured that we are going to have workable solutions to the energy issue at the public lecture tomorrow.
The communique at the end of the public lecture will be presented to the people at the appropriate quarters and if properly implemented, the energy crisis that has plagued this nation from time immemorial will be a thing of the past”
According to the Chairman, Planning Commite , Pastor Adepoju, notable speakers for the public lecture include Mr. Tunde Adeyemo, former Director Information Coordination Centre, West Africa Power Pro, Mr. Bolade Soremekun, The Founder and Chief Executive Officer Ruhitec Group, major player in The Renewable Energy Provider, Also Expected at the lecture Are Mr Ifeoluwa Oyedele, The Executive Director Engineering and Technical Service, Niger-Delta Power Holding Company Limited, Mr Bayo Aderenle, The Front Development and Technical Interface Manager Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited And Mr. Gbite Falade , The Managing Director and Group Chief Operating Officer Oilserv Nigeria Limited.
The public lecture will be capped by presentation of awards to deserving personalities in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the development of Government College, Ibadan and Nigeria as a whole.
The events commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Government College, Ibadan started on the 12th October with an exclusive 4hour High Impact First ever boat cruise on Lagos water followed by a drama presentation, an adaptation of three plays: Wole Soyinka’s ‘Trial of Brother Jero;’ Femi Osofisan’s ‘No More the Wasted Breed;’ and Bode Sowande’s ‘Mamiwater’s Wedding.’ Held on Sunday afternoon at the Professor Ade Ajayi Auditorium, University of Lagos.
Soyinka, Sowande, and Osofisan who were old students of the college, were presented with different awards, along with Dr Christopher Kolade, and the late T.M. Aluko.
The Nobel Luarate, Professor Wole Soyinka, while answering questions from reporters, applauded the Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association for organizing the 90th anniversary Reunion programme.
Professor Soyinka also used the occasion to bear his mind on the state of education in Nigeria, he stated that the country’s education was nothing to write home about.
“We are in serious trouble, education wise in this country. Let me not kid you; it’s horrifying. That was why I was happy about the initiative of creating a model school and trying to resurrect this Government College and present it as the ideal. We are really very low, education wise.
“I have learnt how much they (old students association) have done in the last few days and I am very proud of their work. I just hope the government leaves them alone; don’t interfere with them. Let them bring back to everybody’s mind the possibility of what education can be,” he opined.
The playwright said, “What pains us now is that the school (Government College Ibadan) could produce people of worth before, but the whole thing has gone down now. We are hoping that this help generate new impetus and action about the school and education.”
The 90th celebration reunion train will move down to Ibadan to continue other the lined up programme of events starting with a Anniversary Lunch with Government Boys and Staff at the school ground, a repeat of the drama presentation titled, THE FOLLY OF MEN inside the Lalekan Are Hall, Government College Old Boys House Apata Ibadan.
Reports by Adefarati Abiodun, photo by Sunmola Olaleye
