The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Olayemi Michael Cardoso; Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Olatunji Disu; former Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour; and medical practitioner, Dr. John Abebe, were among distinguished Nigerians honoured by the St. Gregory’s College Old Boys’ Association (SGCOBA) for their contributions to society.
The honours were conferred at the weekend during a Grand Reception organised by SGCOBA at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The event, which also marked the formal launch of the SGCOBA Endowment and Perpetual Fund, brought together prominent old boys of St. Gregory’s College from various sectors, including banking, law, business, public service, medicine, traditional institutions and corporate governance.
Other recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Awards included the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo; Oniru of Iruland, HRM Oba Abdulwasiu Lawal; HRM Oba Abdulsemiu Kasali; GTCO Group Chief Executive Officer, Segun Agbaje; Chief Anthony Asuquo; Prince Francis Awogboro; Dr. Abimbola Ogunkelu; Sir Steve Omojafor; Dr. Charles Hammond; Ms. Benedicta Molokwu; Professor Nelson Oyesiku; Adetunji Oyebanji; Tunde Folawiyo; Ayodele Subair; Prince Abimbola Olashore; Lagos State Head of Service, Olabode Agoro; Rev. Dr. Sola Idowu; and Professor Wale Sulaiman.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Disu expressed appreciation to the association for recognising them, describing the honour from their alma mater as particularly significant.
He said, “The best award anybody can get in the world is the one given to him by his school. So this is the best that has ever happened to all of us.”
The IGP, who described St. Gregory’s College as a great school, said the institution had continued to maintain a strong bond among its old boys.
“St. Gregory’s College, in short, everywhere you go, you meet a Gregorian. A Gregorian is ever ready to assist any other Gregorian,” he said.
Disu also urged younger Nigerians to uphold the values associated with the institution, including respect for elders, continuous learning and excellence.
He said the “Gregorian spirit” should remain a source of inspiration to younger generations.
“When you look at the array of people here, all walk with pride. They do so well, anywhere you go you are sure to meet a Gregorian,” he said.
The SGCOBA President, Francis Kudayah, said the decision to honour the recipients was part of the association’s effort to recognise distinguished old boys who had made significant contributions in their respective fields.
He said the occasion had two intertwined purposes: to celebrate excellence and to secure the future of St. Gregory’s College.
Kudayah described Cardoso as a product of intellectual rigour and praised his contributions in public service, while Disu was recognised for his service to the Nigeria Police Force.
The association also honoured distinguished figures from the judiciary, traditional institutions, banking, insurance, oil and gas, medicine, public finance, corporate governance and other sectors.
The awards, according to the association, reflected the broad range of professional fields in which old boys of St. Gregory’s College have made their mark.
The event also featured messages highlighting the importance of preserving the institution’s legacy while preparing it for future generations.
Representing the Lagos State Government, the Head of Service, Olabode Agoro, commended SGCOBA for the initiative and its broader efforts to strengthen the college.
He said alumni investment in educational institutions could complement government efforts by supporting infrastructure, technology, scholarships and other areas critical to the development of students.
The event also witnessed the formal launch of the SGCOBA Endowment and Perpetual Fund, with the association announcing plans to mobilise resources for the development of the college.
A major contribution came from Chief Dr. Ogunkelu Omolayole, who donated an additional 70,000 shares in a company listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), bringing his total contribution to 100,000 shares.
The association said the fund would support infrastructure, educational programmes, scholarships, staff development, technology and other strategic initiatives.
The Grand Reception thus combined the recognition of distinguished old boys with a renewed commitment by the association to preserve and strengthen the institution that brought the awardees together.
For SGCOBA, the honours were both a celebration of individual accomplishments and a reaffirmation of the enduring legacy of St. Gregory’s College.
