By Wenebi Youdeowei

I sat with my friends and senior school mates bantering as usual on a Sunday at our usual spot, TBS with the 4′ o’clock cricket group where we sit and really gist and laugh, serious medicine for us, in tune with the usual pandemic protocols when the issue of giving back to our alma Mata, Government College Ughelli, reared once again.

The 4 o’clock group is by no means a very enlightening forum where cricket is basis of our association, where we relax with cricket loving buffs. At the TBS there’s never a dull moment. From football , politics to matrimony, “all join”, the flow of gist is not in short supply.

Government College no doubt is always properly represented any where in Nigeria, cricket being the traditional sport of the college. Old boys are very passionate about GCU and cricket. They seize every opportunity to have conversations on cricket and their college experience with relish to the envy of others. GCU was a tough, disciplined entity.

Where is GCU one may ask?, presently in some building block somewhere in the belly of Delta state, defined by maladministration, incompetence, especially in the lack of ethos that created the oldboy of the once great college. To say the least there is no ‘oldboy’ in those who graduated in the college in the past 30 years Plus.

GCU has been off the radar for whatever it’s worth. The Delta state government has irresponsibly, continually neglected that citadel of learning. Who does that to a renowned college of that standing?. There’s hardly any secondary school in Delta state and Nigeria at large with the facilities that exist in GCU. However it has turned decrepit if not for one of the greatest oldboys association of our time, the GCUOBA.

Over two decades the old boys have pumped billions of Naira rehabilitating the infrastructure of the college. Yearly classes pay pilgrimage to their cherished alma mater, donate items and renovate delapidated infrastructure.

Just recently the result of the college in WAEC was posted, it was abysmal and does not represent what the college was known for in academics. I remember about some 4 years ago it was not different, we cursed and wondered what has happened to the ethos and education in GCU.

I have opined in my conversations about the need to reinstall GCU. There’s been too much emphasis on renovating the infrastructure year in year out without very serious efforts at reforming the template that presently exist. It just won’t work, as it is unsustainable. There’s too much passion to those buildings. GCU is the ethos imbibed in all the old boys. Not the buildings. It is imperative to ask our preference, A GCU with ethos and less infrastructure or infrastructure and no ethos. I am of the opinion that it will be wiser to engage the state government until they release the school to the old boys or some sort of arrangement that can get the school back to what was intended.
We all know that it is very difficult to identify with younger oldboys. They didn’t attend the school we know and attended. GCU is a museum of some sort to the older oldboys, I wonder how ancient mariners feel. The damage to the school is very grave, only a very irresponsible state government can injure a school and culture in the manner meted to the college and others.

The oldboys who experienced the true GCU left the school sometime about mid eighties to late nighties. Time is running out on those who may be able to help the school with their knowledge and experience as old boys. Most of the teaching staff have no incline on what and how the school was purposed. The state government is jealous of its products and careless if the school goes to the dogs. That’s where GCU is presently situate.

The oldboys can’t be faulted on how they have so far managed the situation. As I listened to my seniors on what their class plans to undertake in the school, I honestly felt saddened by their prospects, knowing just like others, is a drain on the purse. Whatever has been done has shown not to be sustainable as long as the state government is disinterested in quality education, it just won’t work.

Alternatively, the old boys can annually make funds available for maintenance of renovated works.

How did Kings college, Igbobi, St.Gregs and other schools in Lagos state work things out with their state government?. By the way how much has the state government expended in the school in 30 years?. I believe it is time to fully engage the state government to change their attitude born out of jealousy especially towards GCU. The oldboys should stop their charity as well until there’s some new arrangement where they are well involved in the affairs of the college. For whatever it is worth, the Delta State government should desist from laying waste that world class facility. It has become a citadel of yore. On the other hand, the old boys can negotiate to buy the college and do with it as they please, after all politicians sell government properties to themselves. You never can tell its an open window.

Wenebi Youdeowei , a business man based in Lagos, is an Old Boy of Governmrnt College Ughelli. He is of the Class of September 1973.

By Wenebi Youdeowei

I sat with my friends and senior school mates bantering as usual on a Sunday at our usual spot, TBS with the 4′ o’clock cricket group where we sit and really gist and laugh, serious medicine for us, in tune with the usual pandemic protocols when the issue of giving back to our alma Mata, Government College Ughelli, reared once again.

The 4 o’clock group is by no means a very enlightening forum where cricket is basis of our association, where we relax with cricket loving buffs. At the TBS there’s never a dull moment. From football , politics to matrimony, “all join”, the flow of gist is not in short supply.

Government College no doubt is always properly represented any where in Nigeria, cricket being the traditional sport of the college. Old boys are very passionate about GCU and cricket. They seize every opportunity to have conversations on cricket and their college experience with relish to the envy of others. GCU was a tough, disciplined entity.

Where is GCU one may ask?, presently in some building block somewhere in the belly of Delta state, defined by maladministration, incompetence, especially in the lack of ethos that created the oldboy of the once great college. To say the least there is no ‘oldboy’ in those who graduated in the college in the past 30 years Plus.

GCU has been off the radar for whatever it’s worth. The Delta state government has irresponsibly, continually neglected that citadel of learning. Who does that to a renowned college of that standing?. There’s hardly any secondary school in Delta state and Nigeria at large with the facilities that exist in GCU. However it has turned decrepit if not for one of the greatest oldboys association of our time, the GCUOBA.

Over two decades the old boys have pumped billions of Naira rehabilitating the infrastructure of the college. Yearly classes pay pilgrimage to their cherished alma mater, donate items and renovate delapidated infrastructure.

Just recently the result of the college in WAEC was posted, it was abysmal and does not represent what the college was known for in academics. I remember about some 4 years ago it was not different, we cursed and wondered what has happened to the ethos and education in GCU.

I have opined in my conversations about the need to reinstall GCU. There’s been too much emphasis on renovating the infrastructure year in year out without very serious efforts at reforming the template that presently exist. It just won’t work, as it is unsustainable. There’s too much passion to those buildings. GCU is the ethos imbibed in all the old boys. Not the buildings. It is imperative to ask our preference, A GCU with ethos and less infrastructure or infrastructure and no ethos. I am of the opinion that it will be wiser to engage the state government until they release the school to the old boys or some sort of arrangement that can get the school back to what was intended.
We all know that it is very difficult to identify with younger oldboys. They didn’t attend the school we know and attended. GCU is a museum of some sort to the older oldboys, I wonder how ancient mariners feel. The damage to the school is very grave, only a very irresponsible state government can injure a school and culture in the manner meted to the college and others.

The oldboys who experienced the true GCU left the school sometime about mid eighties to late nighties. Time is running out on those who may be able to help the school with their knowledge and experience as old boys. Most of the teaching staff have no incline on what and how the school was purposed. The state government is jealous of its products and careless if the school goes to the dogs. That’s where GCU is presently situate.

The oldboys can’t be faulted on how they have so far managed the situation. As I listened to my seniors on what their class plans to undertake in the school, I honestly felt saddened by their prospects, knowing just like others, is a drain on the purse. Whatever has been done has shown not to be sustainable as long as the state government is disinterested in quality education, it just won’t work.

Alternatively, the old boys can annually make funds available for maintenance of renovated works.

How did Kings college, Igbobi, St.Gregs and other schools in Lagos state work things out with their state government?. By the way how much has the state government expended in the school in 30 years?. I believe it is time to fully engage the state government to change their attitude born out of jealousy especially towards GCU. The oldboys should stop their charity as well until there’s some new arrangement where they are well involved in the affairs of the college. For whatever it is worth, the Delta State government should desist from laying waste that world class facility. It has become a citadel of yore. On the other hand, the old boys can negotiate to buy the college and do with it as they please, after all politicians sell government properties to themselves. You never can tell its an open window.

Wenebi Youdeowei , a business man based in Lagos, is an Old Boy of Governmrnt College Ughelli. He is of the Class of September 1973.

By Wenebi Youdeowei

I sat with my friends and senior school mates bantering as usual on a Sunday at our usual spot, TBS with the 4′ o’clock cricket group where we sit and really gist and laugh, serious medicine for us, in tune with the usual pandemic protocols when the issue of giving back to our alma Mata, Government College Ughelli, reared once again.

The 4 o’clock group is by no means a very enlightening forum where cricket is basis of our association, where we relax with cricket loving buffs. At the TBS there’s never a dull moment. From football , politics to matrimony, “all join”, the flow of gist is not in short supply.

Government College no doubt is always properly represented any where in Nigeria, cricket being the traditional sport of the college. Old boys are very passionate about GCU and cricket. They seize every opportunity to have conversations on cricket and their college experience with relish to the envy of others. GCU was a tough, disciplined entity.

Where is GCU one may ask?, presently in some building block somewhere in the belly of Delta state, defined by maladministration, incompetence, especially in the lack of ethos that created the oldboy of the once great college. To say the least there is no ‘oldboy’ in those who graduated in the college in the past 30 years Plus.

GCU has been off the radar for whatever it’s worth. The Delta state government has irresponsibly, continually neglected that citadel of learning. Who does that to a renowned college of that standing?. There’s hardly any secondary school in Delta state and Nigeria at large with the facilities that exist in GCU. However it has turned decrepit if not for one of the greatest oldboys association of our time, the GCUOBA.

Over two decades the old boys have pumped billions of Naira rehabilitating the infrastructure of the college. Yearly classes pay pilgrimage to their cherished alma mater, donate items and renovate delapidated infrastructure.

Just recently the result of the college in WAEC was posted, it was abysmal and does not represent what the college was known for in academics. I remember about some 4 years ago it was not different, we cursed and wondered what has happened to the ethos and education in GCU.

I have opined in my conversations about the need to reinstall GCU. There’s been too much emphasis on renovating the infrastructure year in year out without very serious efforts at reforming the template that presently exist. It just won’t work, as it is unsustainable. There’s too much passion to those buildings. GCU is the ethos imbibed in all the old boys. Not the buildings. It is imperative to ask our preference, A GCU with ethos and less infrastructure or infrastructure and no ethos. I am of the opinion that it will be wiser to engage the state government until they release the school to the old boys or some sort of arrangement that can get the school back to what was intended.
We all know that it is very difficult to identify with younger oldboys. They didn’t attend the school we know and attended. GCU is a museum of some sort to the older oldboys, I wonder how ancient mariners feel. The damage to the school is very grave, only a very irresponsible state government can injure a school and culture in the manner meted to the college and others.

The oldboys who experienced the true GCU left the school sometime about mid eighties to late nighties. Time is running out on those who may be able to help the school with their knowledge and experience as old boys. Most of the teaching staff have no incline on what and how the school was purposed. The state government is jealous of its products and careless if the school goes to the dogs. That’s where GCU is presently situate.

The oldboys can’t be faulted on how they have so far managed the situation. As I listened to my seniors on what their class plans to undertake in the school, I honestly felt saddened by their prospects, knowing just like others, is a drain on the purse. Whatever has been done has shown not to be sustainable as long as the state government is disinterested in quality education, it just won’t work.

Alternatively, the old boys can annually make funds available for maintenance of renovated works.

How did Kings college, Igbobi, St.Gregs and other schools in Lagos state work things out with their state government?. By the way how much has the state government expended in the school in 30 years?. I believe it is time to fully engage the state government to change their attitude born out of jealousy especially towards GCU. The oldboys should stop their charity as well until there’s some new arrangement where they are well involved in the affairs of the college. For whatever it is worth, the Delta State government should desist from laying waste that world class facility. It has become a citadel of yore. On the other hand, the old boys can negotiate to buy the college and do with it as they please, after all politicians sell government properties to themselves. You never can tell its an open window.

Wenebi Youdeowei , a business man based in Lagos, is an Old Boy of Governmrnt College Ughelli. He is of the Class of September 1973.

By Wenebi Youdeowei

I sat with my friends and senior school mates bantering as usual on a Sunday at our usual spot, TBS with the 4′ o’clock cricket group where we sit and really gist and laugh, serious medicine for us, in tune with the usual pandemic protocols when the issue of giving back to our alma Mata, Government College Ughelli, reared once again.

The 4 o’clock group is by no means a very enlightening forum where cricket is basis of our association, where we relax with cricket loving buffs. At the TBS there’s never a dull moment. From football , politics to matrimony, “all join”, the flow of gist is not in short supply.

Government College no doubt is always properly represented any where in Nigeria, cricket being the traditional sport of the college. Old boys are very passionate about GCU and cricket. They seize every opportunity to have conversations on cricket and their college experience with relish to the envy of others. GCU was a tough, disciplined entity.

Where is GCU one may ask?, presently in some building block somewhere in the belly of Delta state, defined by maladministration, incompetence, especially in the lack of ethos that created the oldboy of the once great college. To say the least there is no ‘oldboy’ in those who graduated in the college in the past 30 years Plus.

GCU has been off the radar for whatever it’s worth. The Delta state government has irresponsibly, continually neglected that citadel of learning. Who does that to a renowned college of that standing?. There’s hardly any secondary school in Delta state and Nigeria at large with the facilities that exist in GCU. However it has turned decrepit if not for one of the greatest oldboys association of our time, the GCUOBA.

Over two decades the old boys have pumped billions of Naira rehabilitating the infrastructure of the college. Yearly classes pay pilgrimage to their cherished alma mater, donate items and renovate delapidated infrastructure.

Just recently the result of the college in WAEC was posted, it was abysmal and does not represent what the college was known for in academics. I remember about some 4 years ago it was not different, we cursed and wondered what has happened to the ethos and education in GCU.

I have opined in my conversations about the need to reinstall GCU. There’s been too much emphasis on renovating the infrastructure year in year out without very serious efforts at reforming the template that presently exist. It just won’t work, as it is unsustainable. There’s too much passion to those buildings. GCU is the ethos imbibed in all the old boys. Not the buildings. It is imperative to ask our preference, A GCU with ethos and less infrastructure or infrastructure and no ethos. I am of the opinion that it will be wiser to engage the state government until they release the school to the old boys or some sort of arrangement that can get the school back to what was intended.
We all know that it is very difficult to identify with younger oldboys. They didn’t attend the school we know and attended. GCU is a museum of some sort to the older oldboys, I wonder how ancient mariners feel. The damage to the school is very grave, only a very irresponsible state government can injure a school and culture in the manner meted to the college and others.

The oldboys who experienced the true GCU left the school sometime about mid eighties to late nighties. Time is running out on those who may be able to help the school with their knowledge and experience as old boys. Most of the teaching staff have no incline on what and how the school was purposed. The state government is jealous of its products and careless if the school goes to the dogs. That’s where GCU is presently situate.

The oldboys can’t be faulted on how they have so far managed the situation. As I listened to my seniors on what their class plans to undertake in the school, I honestly felt saddened by their prospects, knowing just like others, is a drain on the purse. Whatever has been done has shown not to be sustainable as long as the state government is disinterested in quality education, it just won’t work.

Alternatively, the old boys can annually make funds available for maintenance of renovated works.

How did Kings college, Igbobi, St.Gregs and other schools in Lagos state work things out with their state government?. By the way how much has the state government expended in the school in 30 years?. I believe it is time to fully engage the state government to change their attitude born out of jealousy especially towards GCU. The oldboys should stop their charity as well until there’s some new arrangement where they are well involved in the affairs of the college. For whatever it is worth, the Delta State government should desist from laying waste that world class facility. It has become a citadel of yore. On the other hand, the old boys can negotiate to buy the college and do with it as they please, after all politicians sell government properties to themselves. You never can tell its an open window.

Wenebi Youdeowei , a business man based in Lagos, is an Old Boy of Governmrnt College Ughelli. He is of the Class of September 1973.

By Wenebi Youdeowei

I sat with my friends and senior school mates bantering as usual on a Sunday at our usual spot, TBS with the 4′ o’clock cricket group where we sit and really gist and laugh, serious medicine for us, in tune with the usual pandemic protocols when the issue of giving back to our alma Mata, Government College Ughelli, reared once again.

The 4 o’clock group is by no means a very enlightening forum where cricket is basis of our association, where we relax with cricket loving buffs. At the TBS there’s never a dull moment. From football , politics to matrimony, “all join”, the flow of gist is not in short supply.

Government College no doubt is always properly represented any where in Nigeria, cricket being the traditional sport of the college. Old boys are very passionate about GCU and cricket. They seize every opportunity to have conversations on cricket and their college experience with relish to the envy of others. GCU was a tough, disciplined entity.

Where is GCU one may ask?, presently in some building block somewhere in the belly of Delta state, defined by maladministration, incompetence, especially in the lack of ethos that created the oldboy of the once great college. To say the least there is no ‘oldboy’ in those who graduated in the college in the past 30 years Plus.

GCU has been off the radar for whatever it’s worth. The Delta state government has irresponsibly, continually neglected that citadel of learning. Who does that to a renowned college of that standing?. There’s hardly any secondary school in Delta state and Nigeria at large with the facilities that exist in GCU. However it has turned decrepit if not for one of the greatest oldboys association of our time, the GCUOBA.

Over two decades the old boys have pumped billions of Naira rehabilitating the infrastructure of the college. Yearly classes pay pilgrimage to their cherished alma mater, donate items and renovate delapidated infrastructure.

Just recently the result of the college in WAEC was posted, it was abysmal and does not represent what the college was known for in academics. I remember about some 4 years ago it was not different, we cursed and wondered what has happened to the ethos and education in GCU.

I have opined in my conversations about the need to reinstall GCU. There’s been too much emphasis on renovating the infrastructure year in year out without very serious efforts at reforming the template that presently exist. It just won’t work, as it is unsustainable. There’s too much passion to those buildings. GCU is the ethos imbibed in all the old boys. Not the buildings. It is imperative to ask our preference, A GCU with ethos and less infrastructure or infrastructure and no ethos. I am of the opinion that it will be wiser to engage the state government until they release the school to the old boys or some sort of arrangement that can get the school back to what was intended.
We all know that it is very difficult to identify with younger oldboys. They didn’t attend the school we know and attended. GCU is a museum of some sort to the older oldboys, I wonder how ancient mariners feel. The damage to the school is very grave, only a very irresponsible state government can injure a school and culture in the manner meted to the college and others.

The oldboys who experienced the true GCU left the school sometime about mid eighties to late nighties. Time is running out on those who may be able to help the school with their knowledge and experience as old boys. Most of the teaching staff have no incline on what and how the school was purposed. The state government is jealous of its products and careless if the school goes to the dogs. That’s where GCU is presently situate.

The oldboys can’t be faulted on how they have so far managed the situation. As I listened to my seniors on what their class plans to undertake in the school, I honestly felt saddened by their prospects, knowing just like others, is a drain on the purse. Whatever has been done has shown not to be sustainable as long as the state government is disinterested in quality education, it just won’t work.

Alternatively, the old boys can annually make funds available for maintenance of renovated works.

How did Kings college, Igbobi, St.Gregs and other schools in Lagos state work things out with their state government?. By the way how much has the state government expended in the school in 30 years?. I believe it is time to fully engage the state government to change their attitude born out of jealousy especially towards GCU. The oldboys should stop their charity as well until there’s some new arrangement where they are well involved in the affairs of the college. For whatever it is worth, the Delta State government should desist from laying waste that world class facility. It has become a citadel of yore. On the other hand, the old boys can negotiate to buy the college and do with it as they please, after all politicians sell government properties to themselves. You never can tell its an open window.

Wenebi Youdeowei , a business man based in Lagos, is an Old Boy of Governmrnt College Ughelli. He is of the Class of September 1973.

By Wenebi Youdeowei

I sat with my friends and senior school mates bantering as usual on a Sunday at our usual spot, TBS with the 4′ o’clock cricket group where we sit and really gist and laugh, serious medicine for us, in tune with the usual pandemic protocols when the issue of giving back to our alma Mata, Government College Ughelli, reared once again.

The 4 o’clock group is by no means a very enlightening forum where cricket is basis of our association, where we relax with cricket loving buffs. At the TBS there’s never a dull moment. From football , politics to matrimony, “all join”, the flow of gist is not in short supply.

Government College no doubt is always properly represented any where in Nigeria, cricket being the traditional sport of the college. Old boys are very passionate about GCU and cricket. They seize every opportunity to have conversations on cricket and their college experience with relish to the envy of others. GCU was a tough, disciplined entity.

Where is GCU one may ask?, presently in some building block somewhere in the belly of Delta state, defined by maladministration, incompetence, especially in the lack of ethos that created the oldboy of the once great college. To say the least there is no ‘oldboy’ in those who graduated in the college in the past 30 years Plus.

GCU has been off the radar for whatever it’s worth. The Delta state government has irresponsibly, continually neglected that citadel of learning. Who does that to a renowned college of that standing?. There’s hardly any secondary school in Delta state and Nigeria at large with the facilities that exist in GCU. However it has turned decrepit if not for one of the greatest oldboys association of our time, the GCUOBA.

Over two decades the old boys have pumped billions of Naira rehabilitating the infrastructure of the college. Yearly classes pay pilgrimage to their cherished alma mater, donate items and renovate delapidated infrastructure.

Just recently the result of the college in WAEC was posted, it was abysmal and does not represent what the college was known for in academics. I remember about some 4 years ago it was not different, we cursed and wondered what has happened to the ethos and education in GCU.

I have opined in my conversations about the need to reinstall GCU. There’s been too much emphasis on renovating the infrastructure year in year out without very serious efforts at reforming the template that presently exist. It just won’t work, as it is unsustainable. There’s too much passion to those buildings. GCU is the ethos imbibed in all the old boys. Not the buildings. It is imperative to ask our preference, A GCU with ethos and less infrastructure or infrastructure and no ethos. I am of the opinion that it will be wiser to engage the state government until they release the school to the old boys or some sort of arrangement that can get the school back to what was intended.
We all know that it is very difficult to identify with younger oldboys. They didn’t attend the school we know and attended. GCU is a museum of some sort to the older oldboys, I wonder how ancient mariners feel. The damage to the school is very grave, only a very irresponsible state government can injure a school and culture in the manner meted to the college and others.

The oldboys who experienced the true GCU left the school sometime about mid eighties to late nighties. Time is running out on those who may be able to help the school with their knowledge and experience as old boys. Most of the teaching staff have no incline on what and how the school was purposed. The state government is jealous of its products and careless if the school goes to the dogs. That’s where GCU is presently situate.

The oldboys can’t be faulted on how they have so far managed the situation. As I listened to my seniors on what their class plans to undertake in the school, I honestly felt saddened by their prospects, knowing just like others, is a drain on the purse. Whatever has been done has shown not to be sustainable as long as the state government is disinterested in quality education, it just won’t work.

Alternatively, the old boys can annually make funds available for maintenance of renovated works.

How did Kings college, Igbobi, St.Gregs and other schools in Lagos state work things out with their state government?. By the way how much has the state government expended in the school in 30 years?. I believe it is time to fully engage the state government to change their attitude born out of jealousy especially towards GCU. The oldboys should stop their charity as well until there’s some new arrangement where they are well involved in the affairs of the college. For whatever it is worth, the Delta State government should desist from laying waste that world class facility. It has become a citadel of yore. On the other hand, the old boys can negotiate to buy the college and do with it as they please, after all politicians sell government properties to themselves. You never can tell its an open window.

Wenebi Youdeowei , a business man based in Lagos, is an Old Boy of Governmrnt College Ughelli. He is of the Class of September 1973.

By Wenebi Youdeowei

I sat with my friends and senior school mates bantering as usual on a Sunday at our usual spot, TBS with the 4′ o’clock cricket group where we sit and really gist and laugh, serious medicine for us, in tune with the usual pandemic protocols when the issue of giving back to our alma Mata, Government College Ughelli, reared once again.

The 4 o’clock group is by no means a very enlightening forum where cricket is basis of our association, where we relax with cricket loving buffs. At the TBS there’s never a dull moment. From football , politics to matrimony, “all join”, the flow of gist is not in short supply.

Government College no doubt is always properly represented any where in Nigeria, cricket being the traditional sport of the college. Old boys are very passionate about GCU and cricket. They seize every opportunity to have conversations on cricket and their college experience with relish to the envy of others. GCU was a tough, disciplined entity.

Where is GCU one may ask?, presently in some building block somewhere in the belly of Delta state, defined by maladministration, incompetence, especially in the lack of ethos that created the oldboy of the once great college. To say the least there is no ‘oldboy’ in those who graduated in the college in the past 30 years Plus.

GCU has been off the radar for whatever it’s worth. The Delta state government has irresponsibly, continually neglected that citadel of learning. Who does that to a renowned college of that standing?. There’s hardly any secondary school in Delta state and Nigeria at large with the facilities that exist in GCU. However it has turned decrepit if not for one of the greatest oldboys association of our time, the GCUOBA.

Over two decades the old boys have pumped billions of Naira rehabilitating the infrastructure of the college. Yearly classes pay pilgrimage to their cherished alma mater, donate items and renovate delapidated infrastructure.

Just recently the result of the college in WAEC was posted, it was abysmal and does not represent what the college was known for in academics. I remember about some 4 years ago it was not different, we cursed and wondered what has happened to the ethos and education in GCU.

I have opined in my conversations about the need to reinstall GCU. There’s been too much emphasis on renovating the infrastructure year in year out without very serious efforts at reforming the template that presently exist. It just won’t work, as it is unsustainable. There’s too much passion to those buildings. GCU is the ethos imbibed in all the old boys. Not the buildings. It is imperative to ask our preference, A GCU with ethos and less infrastructure or infrastructure and no ethos. I am of the opinion that it will be wiser to engage the state government until they release the school to the old boys or some sort of arrangement that can get the school back to what was intended.
We all know that it is very difficult to identify with younger oldboys. They didn’t attend the school we know and attended. GCU is a museum of some sort to the older oldboys, I wonder how ancient mariners feel. The damage to the school is very grave, only a very irresponsible state government can injure a school and culture in the manner meted to the college and others.

The oldboys who experienced the true GCU left the school sometime about mid eighties to late nighties. Time is running out on those who may be able to help the school with their knowledge and experience as old boys. Most of the teaching staff have no incline on what and how the school was purposed. The state government is jealous of its products and careless if the school goes to the dogs. That’s where GCU is presently situate.

The oldboys can’t be faulted on how they have so far managed the situation. As I listened to my seniors on what their class plans to undertake in the school, I honestly felt saddened by their prospects, knowing just like others, is a drain on the purse. Whatever has been done has shown not to be sustainable as long as the state government is disinterested in quality education, it just won’t work.

Alternatively, the old boys can annually make funds available for maintenance of renovated works.

How did Kings college, Igbobi, St.Gregs and other schools in Lagos state work things out with their state government?. By the way how much has the state government expended in the school in 30 years?. I believe it is time to fully engage the state government to change their attitude born out of jealousy especially towards GCU. The oldboys should stop their charity as well until there’s some new arrangement where they are well involved in the affairs of the college. For whatever it is worth, the Delta State government should desist from laying waste that world class facility. It has become a citadel of yore. On the other hand, the old boys can negotiate to buy the college and do with it as they please, after all politicians sell government properties to themselves. You never can tell its an open window.

Wenebi Youdeowei , a business man based in Lagos, is an Old Boy of Governmrnt College Ughelli. He is of the Class of September 1973.