BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COLLEGE, ODOGBOLU
The Federal Government College, Odogbolu was founded on the 25th January, 1973. This was in line with the decision of the Federal Government of Nigeria to create various avenues to further deepen the Unity among the various people in Nigeria.
Before now, apart from King’s College and Queens College. The government had followed up in 1966 with the Federal Government College Sokoto, Federal Government College, Warri and Federal Government College. But Federal Government College, Okposi which was to take off did not as a result of the Civil War.
In 1973, long after the Civil War had ended, the need to forge greater Unity in nation became upper most in the minds of the administrators hence the decision to target the younger Nigerians and hence the decision to create the opportunity which was to bring all Nigerian children to live and learn together under one setting. Among the other Unity Colleges founded at the time Federal Government College, Odogbolu was founded were the Federal Government Colleges in Kano, Kaduna, Enugu, Ikot-Ekpene, Port Harcourt, Ilorin, Jos and some others followed later.
When the first set of Teaching and non-Teaching Staff arrived Odogbolu with their families, Mr. J.O. Abolade was the team leader. He was the acting Principal. Some of the others who serve as pioneering staff included Mr. E.J.O. Ojo, Mrs. Abolade, Mrs. Ayoola, Mr. Gbobaniyi, Mr. Bandele, Mr. Akinfolarin, Mr. S.K. Olayemi, Mr. R. Iyiola Alao, Mr. Lucky Ipokpo, Mr. Nwosu, Mr. Ogunkanmi, Mrs. Jiboku, Miss Fakorede and Mr. Olaleke. Some of the non-teaching staff were Mr. T. A. Jewoola, Mr. Sunday Odueke, Mr. Adeyemi Sam, Mr. Idowu, Mr. Ishola and others.
The members of the Odogbolu, Aiyepe and Okun-Owa Communities received the pioneering Staff and Students well. Some members of the Odogbolu Community surrender their building for a while.
By t0he time the College finally settled down, the substantive Principal of the College Mr. J.O. Banjoko had arrived from Port Harcourt to take over while Mr. Abolade reverted to his post as the Vice Principal.
The initial period was very rough and very demanding. The College operated on temporary sites and students had to move from one part of Odogbolu to another. The Dining Hall was at Agada where the Hall that was used for that purpose still stands.
The initial College Administrative Block, Classrooms and the Tennis Court, Volley Ball Court and the Basket Ball were located at the present site of the Odogbolu Local Government Council. Even at this time some lessons were also being conducted at what was to become the permanent site which was still under construction.
The Principal provided the needed leadership by ensuring that the pioneering staff and students faced the ardous task and very demanding and tough situation very gallantly. It should be borne in mind that the permanent site was more or less jungle that was just being tamed. There were no tarred roads, no light, and no water. Water especially was an essential commodity because it became so acute that there was a ‘Water riot’.
The Period was known as a period of improvisation. Students and staff made use of what was available to get the desired result that they needed.
The degree of dedication to work and to studies by both staff and students was unparalled. Students cooperated with their teachers to turn out very excellent results. This was the situation when the foundation of the greatness of the new College making its debut among its piers and others was being laid.
The rapid growth of the College was aided by the admission pattern adopted. While the Sixth form prepared students for the Universities through direct entry programmes, Secondary School prepared students for the school certificate. As students were being admitted into the lower sixth Form, students were also admitted into Form one and on and on until there was a full stream of students in Forms 1 – 5 and Lower sixth and Upper Sixth Forms.
The movement to the permanent site by all the students was carried out under the Principal ship of Mr. G.U. Unuigboje. He put an end to the operations from temporary sites and hot everyone to the Permanent site. To solve some of the teething problems, concerning water, he ensured that the College Water Tanker ferried water for students and staff personal use for cleanliness and for student’s food preparation in the kitchen, from as far away places like Ogere, Iperu and Sagamu.
For light since the College was not connected to the government mains, the College had a generator located at the junior staff quarters. This supplied light between 7.00 p.m. and 10.-00 p.m. and 5.00 a.m. – 6.00 a.m. in the morning.
The Principal himself personally taught the A’ Levels Mathematics classes between 6.00 a.m. – 7.05 a.m. every morning.
DINING HALL
When the College moved into its permanent site, the dining hall that was first used is the place currently used as an arm of the Federal Government Nursery Primary School. The students ate in shifts. At one time they used meal tickets. This had to be because of lack of space and the facilities could not support the then student’s population. Even with that food used to be enough with extra being served to students who needed more.
Mr. Unuigboje will be remembered for the high degree of discipline and the way he motivated the students to attain a much better result. He ensured that many more Nigerians had access to being admitted into the College.
The College under his regime undertook playing tours of other sister Colleges like Warri, Enugu for competitive sports like hockey, football, volley ball and cricket. In addition to this, he encouraged the Geographical Club and other clubs to go on various excursions to complement whatever they had learnt in the classrooms. He also ensured that majority of the College staff moved into the Permanent site so that there could be better contact between staff and students.
Chief Ojo took over and he undertook to open up the College by clearing and leveling much of the bush and hillocks that dotted key areas of the College premises. He also encourages sporting activities and activities of Clubs and Societies.
Mr. Adejinle had a very short spell but he encouraged both staff and students to maintain a very high standard of academic work.
Mr. C. C. Odinaka acted as the Principal following the sudden exit of Mr. Adejinle. He was very hardworking. He provided the needed leadership and in 1984 the College recorded one of the best results in the ordinary level. The College’s result that year became the talk of the nation.
By the time Chief Tunde Adefolaju took over as the College Principal, the College had taken firm root in all arrears of academic and Co – Curricular life.
At this time, most of the internal roads of the College were tarred. The tarring extended to the access road of the College. He also encouraged staff and students in the College winning first National JETS competition when the College represented Ogun State. The College won in this competition for several years until the format changed. During this period, the tree planting that was carried out to serve as a boulevard continued with Mrs. G.A.E Makoju playing the lead role.
Mr. Adewale took over, the College after Chief Tunde Adefolaju in the year 1992. Mr. Tuinde Adefolaju introduced the College Song. Mr. T. O. A. Odedeyi took over from Mr. Adewale and he did his best to maintain the academic record of the College. He provided the College Pledge. His period also witnessed the arrival of the famous year 2000 set of teachers. He was very supportive of his work force and he was always ready to identify with them. His calm and cool disposition endeared him to staff and students. He ensured the provision of the Coillege Walk Way. The PTA renovated the College Clinic and turned it to a mini – hospital.
Mr. S.A. Olarinde was posted in from FGC Ogbomoso and he continued to stress on the Cowbell Mathematics competition in 2002.
Mrs. O. Babalola played a very significant role on assuming the mantle of leadership as the first female Principal of the College. The College witnessed a face lift in the renovation of the school clinic. There was also the provision of the bore hole in the Girls dormitory. The 2 lecture theatres was provided with furniture items. The Boys high-rise building was renovated. The P.T.A. at this time built the open bathroom for the boy’s dormitories.
During her tenure the issue of the Unity Schools nationwide raged and this polarized the staff.
Mr. I. A. Atiba was the acting Principal from July 2007 to August 2008. During this period, attempts were made to restore confidence in the College administration. Reconciliation was achieved among staff and this brought about a much improved academic work for the students. He maintained the high academic standard left behind by his predecessor. He also ensured the training of I.C.T. He saw to the networking of all the offices with the Principal’s office.