As part of deepening bonds among its members, the National President of Igbobi College Old Boys Association (ICOBA), Mr. Femi Olubanwo, had a mind rubbing session with the students who graduated from the school in the 1990’s.

During the programme dubbed, ‘A Date with ICOBA President’, Olubanwo provided insights about ICOBA activities and responded to questions and suggestions from participants.

He described the alumni network as the most unified in Nigeria, with active branches in Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Europe, and the United States. He explained that the association has prioritised infrastructure development, fundraising and sustainable energy solutions for the historic institution under his leadership.

“We have completed one staff housing project initiated by the previous executive and are near completion on another. We have renovated the dining hall, improving dormitory conditions, and are deploying solar lighting across the school premises.”

Olubanwo, whose tenure ends in September, noted that ICOBA’s impact goes beyond infrastructure. “We communicate constantly. It’s one of the strongest bonds in alumni networks across the country,” he said.

On the broader role of alumni in Nigeria’s education sector, Olubanwo said that committed graduates can fill the gap left by the government.
“If every alumni group focuses on improving their school, the entire education system will rise. A rising tide lifts all boats,” he stated, advocating for reduced government interference in favour of community-led initiatives.

The 90’s Decade Representative, Wasiu Seidun, said the annual reunion programme began in 2015 to preserve the rich heritage of ICOBA while empowering members of the decade with leadership knowledge and entrepreneurial skills.

A former President of the association, Lanre Keleko, encouraged the old boys to maintain the bond they had always kept while in school, saying, “Do not forget your classmates. As you get older, your meeting will become the therapy. Do the best you can. It can only get better.”

Babatunde Odubanjo of the 1991 set, who spoke on ‘Strategy to Attaining a Blissful Retirement’, enjoined the old boys to start planning early for retirement by ensuring a culture of saving, investment, and personal development, while Gbenga Mafoitan of the 1996 set spoke on leadership.