From Wole Balogun, Ado-Ekiti
Chief Guy Gargiulo, an Anglo-Italian, from United Kingdom, arrived Nigeria on January 5, 1960, shoertly before independence on October 1, 1960. He immediately took up a teaching appointment at Igbobi College, Yaba, Lagos.
However, his decision, three years later, to leave for a far-flung sleepy community of Okeagbe-Akoko, in present day Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State, was a shock. Why would a white man prefer to stay in one of the remotest parts of the country? He served as the principal of Ajuwa Grammar School, Okeagbe-Akoko, and remained there till date, 57 years after.
Recently, his old students and the community marked his 85th birthday with pomp and pageantry. He was born in UK and studied in the best schools in the United Kingdom, Italy and Switzerland. The love for adventure and quest to serve humanity brought him to Nigeria. He was convinced that the decision was not about himself, but to mould the future generations and contribute his quota to manpower development in Nigeria, thousands of kilometers away from his native land.
Today, Gargiulo, who made Okeagbe his home, has no regrets, as he has been a fulfilled man. He was principal of the school for 15 years. Fondly called “GG” by his students and admirers, he was born onAugust 13, 1932, in Port Vale, United Kingdom to an Italian father and British mother. He attended University of Cambridge where he graduated B.A. (Natural Science) Physics/Geology after which he obtained his M.A. in the same discipline.
The octogenarian during his time at Igbobi College was the Head of Mathematics/Physics Department. He also served as Housemaster and Games Master. An Okeagbe indigene, the late Chief Stephen Ajayi Ogedengbe and other individuals initiated his transfer to Ajuwa Grammar School, which was on the verge of collapse at the time of his arrival.
In appreciation of his service to humanity, he was honoured with chieftaincy titles by three traditional rulers who were his students. The titles included Adekowajo of Okeagbe, Atunluse of Ugbe-Akoko and Aare Atayese of Erusu-Akoko.
After retiring as a school principal, Gargiulo worked in other places between 1979 and 1994. His giant strides in education included the introduction and implementation of Continuous Assessment in Ondo State Ministry of Education, which he started earlier in Ajuwa.
He also introduced vocational education in Ajuwa and Adeyemi College of education, Ondo, where he served as Director of Computer Centre. He was the foundation chairman of Ondo State Swimming Association.
No wonder, Okeagbe, headquarters of the local government was agog in August 12 and 13 when Ajuwa Old Students Association (AOSA), threw a birthday bash for Gargiulo who clocked 85 years. And they came from far and near to celebrate their mentor and role model.
Some of Gargiulo’s students are Senator Tayo Alasoadura, representing Ondo Central; immediate past Commandant, National Defence College, Rear Admiral Samuel Alade; Rear Admiral Adebisi Aremo (rtd); Mr. Mike Igbokwe (SAN); Dr. Tunji Abayomi; Ganny Dauda; former Speaker, State House of Assembly, Dr. Olufowobi Bakkita Bello; Commissioner of Police, Dele Babaleye; Prof. Esan Aderinola; Prof. Ade Babalola; former Vice Chairman, Mobil Oil, Otunba Solomon Oladunni; retired Permanent Secretary, Chief John Ademoyegun; Anglican Bishop, Rt. Rev. Jacob Ajetunmobi; Mrs. Florence Justus-Oni; renowned broadcaster, Mr. Ayo Ogedengbe; former Ekiti State Commissioner for Works, Chief Diran Adesua and Editor (Daily), The Nation, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso.
Gargiulo also carried out some philanthropic activities and executed projects in the community. He personally financed the construction of Pleaidi Road named after a similar project in his native Italy. He sponsored surgical operations of needy patients and bankrolled education of the physically challenged.
He speaks Yoruba fluently and proficient in the local Akoko dialect. According to his students, one of his famous Yoruba proverbs is; “Aya nini ju oogun lo.” Translated: “Boldness is efficacious than charms.”
He was famous for wearing shorts. That is why he is also fondly called “Oyinbo oni sokoto penpe (white man wearing shorts). Others call him “oloye oni sokoto” (the chief wearing shorts).
The celebration witnessed quiz competition, public lecture, swimming/water polo competition at the school dam and candle procession round the town. A thanksgiving service was held at St. George’s Anglican Church, Okeagbe. Gargiulo wore a flowing “agbada” and danced to the admiration of the congregation.
He spoke with Daily Sun:
“I am feeling good at 85. “It is a pity Tunji Abayomi cannot bring the governor (Rotimi Akeredolu) here. I am happy with my students who are doing fine in their various fields of human endeavour. One of them printed the programme booklets we are using here.
“I am very sorry that teaching is no longer going on in this country. What they are doing is copying notes rather than teaching them to do something. That is not teaching.
“We have got many great people in this country. I do not know what has been going on with education in Nigeria, I don’t know.”
When asked whether he would leave for Italy, his homeland or United Kingdom, where he was born, he retorted: “I am living in Okeagbe and the old students have given me my Certificate of Occupancy (C of O). If I die here or in England, let them cremate me.”
AOSA president, Mr. Matthew Imoru, a retired Permanent Secretary in state civil service, said: “The school dam was built about 45 years ago. I left the school in 1973 and such a project was not common in the hinterland then. We all learnt swimming through GG.
“He was chairman of Ondo State Swimming Association and swimmers in Ondo State came here to practice. He could teach virtually all subjects.”
Former speaker, Bello, hailed Gargiulo for choosing to come to a rustic community to oversee the revival of the school at that time. He said the school administrator cultivated teak, cashew and oil palm plantations, which boosted the economy of the school and gave it a beautiful scenery.
He said Gargiulo elevated many students from poor homes. He disclosed he had many brushes with his old principal including leading a riot, which shook the school to its foundation but Gargiulo forgave him:
“He loved the countryside, the simple agrarian lifestyle. He was charged with the responsibility of transforming the school lacking facilities like water, electricity and good road.
“During his time, students must belong to two trade clubs and participate in sporting activities. Ajuwa was noted for excellent performance and reputable records in academics. This earned us fame and glory both locally and internationally.
“He believes mankind can advance through training and mentoring irrespective of colour, creed, race and he rescued Ajuwa from being closed down. Through the philosophy of ‘aya nini ju oogun lo’, he conquered his environment.”