Cardoso, IGP, Abebe, Others Bag SGCOBA Lifetime Achievement Awards

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 distinguished medical practitioner and businessman, Dr. John Abebe, were among prominent Nigerians honoured by the St. Gregory’s College Old Boys’ Association (SGCOBA) for their contributions to society and their alma mater.

The honours were conferred at the weekend during a Grand Reception organised by SGCOBA at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos, in honour of Cardoso and Disu, as well as the conferment of Lifetime Achievement Awards on distinguished old boys.

The event also featured the formal launch of the SGCOBA Endowment and Perpetual Fund, designed to provide sustainable financial support for the development and future of St. Gregory’s College.

Abebe, Emeritus President of SGCOBA, received particular recognition for decades of service to the college, his role in preserving its heritage and his contribution to its physical and academic development.

In his citation, the association described him as “a true son of St. Gregory’s College—a man in whom the College lives, and through whom its legacy has been renewed.”

A medical doctor, businessman and Chairman of Inducon Nigeria Limited, Abebe returned from postgraduate studies in 1979 and joined an Old Boys’ meeting as one of its youngest members.

According to the citation, he subsequently resolved to contribute to the institution that had helped shape him.

The association credited him with playing a prominent role in defending the heritage of the college during the period of government takeover, including leading fellow Gregorians to court in an effort to prevent alterations to the school’s grounds.

His tenure as President of SGCOBA was also highlighted as a period of significant development. Elected unopposed in December 2012, Abebe oversaw projects that transformed several facilities at the college.

The citation listed the rehabilitation of the College Chapel, described as a mini-basilica with a capacity of 1,200 worshippers; renovation of the football field and cricket pitch; construction of the Grotto; establishment of the Monsignor Pedro Martins Laboratory Complex, comprising 12 modern laboratories; and expansion of the boarding facilities.

The association also recognised Abebe’s contribution to sports and youth development, particularly his longstanding involvement in cricket.

According to the citation, he has personally sponsored cricket in Nigeria for more than 40 years and provided sporting kits to young athletes.

As President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, he was credited with running the federation without government funding and personally sponsoring national teams on international tours.

His support for education was also highlighted, with the association noting that he had awarded scholarships to indigent students of St. Gregory’s College.

Abebe, who was named a Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Lagos in 2017, was praised for a record of service built around voluntary contributions, personal relationships and commitment to the ideals of St. Gregory’s College.

The association said his contribution demonstrated that “true greatness lies not merely in what we acquire, but in what we give back.”

Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Disu expressed appreciation to SGCOBA for the recognition, describing an honour from one’s alma mater as particularly significant.

“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,” he said.

Disu, who described St. Gregory’s College as a great school, also spoke about the enduring bond among its old boys and the values instilled in students.

“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.

He urged younger Nigerians to uphold the “Gregorian spirit”, respect their elders, continue learning and strive for excellence.

“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 added.

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.

The SGCOBA President, Francis Kudayah, said the awards were part of the association’s effort to recognise distinguished old boys who had excelled in their respective fields.

He said the event had two intertwined purposes: celebrating excellence and securing the future of St. Gregory’s College.

Kudayah also commended the awardees for representing the values of the institution in various sectors, including the judiciary, banking, business, medicine, public service, traditional institutions, oil and gas and corporate governance

The occasion further provided an opportunity for the association to renew its commitment to the development of the college through the launch of the Endowment and Perpetual Fund.

A major contribution to the initiative 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 educational programmes, scholarships, infrastructure, staff development, technology and other strategic initiatives.

The Grand Reception therefore combined the celebration of distinguished Gregorians with a renewed commitment to preserving and strengthening the institution that brought them together.

For SGCOBA, the Lifetime Achievement Awards represented not only recognition of individual accomplishments but also a celebration of the enduring values, brotherhood and legacy of St. Gregory’s College.