By Ado Adeboye
It was Amidst Pomp and pageantry as the former Principal of Ajuwa Grammar School, Chief Dr. Guy Gargiulo was Cremated and laid to rest today at his abode in okeagbe, Akoko North West local Government Area of Ondo State.
It was learnt that Untill his demise last year December, Gargiulo had Stated to his Close Ally's earlier, that after his death, his remains should be flown to United Kingdom for cremation, while the remnants should be buried at his house in Okeagbe.
It was also Gathered that the Late Principal never went into solemnization, therefore he had no wife and Children. He sold his father's Estate to Cater for the Less privileges.
Speaking at the Event, the immediate past Governor of Osun State and Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, described Gargiulo as a benevolent man who had produce many prominent Personalities in Nigeria, adding that he was well accustomed to Akoko.
The minister of State for Niger Delta, Sen.Donald Alasoadura noted that Guy Gargiulo was his Benefactor who had helped him while he was in the School and he has inculcated the kernels of hard work from him
Alasoadura Maintains that Gargiulo taught him, stating that he has been toeing the line of his teacher's Communal Service.
His words: "I have no other University than Ajuwa Grammar School, hence I appreciate Guy Gargiulo for moulding me. Even all through my career. When you talk about hard work, Honesty and determination, I learnt all from my teacher"
While reading the biography of Gargiulo from stem to Stern, the Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Akoko, The Rt. Rev'd J.O.B Bada, refers to the late Principal as an epitome of benevolence and street light that illuminate the life of People.
"Gargiulo is kind man, he came, lived among people and was fulfilling by developing Ajuwa Grammar School which was a powerful symbol of Unity amongst the people"
"Having sold his father's estate in Italy, GG repatriated the proceeds to Nigeria to run the school with his own personal funds. To further reinforce the love, peace and Harmony that existed amongst the people for decades"
"Okeagbe people from all walks of life Rose to challenge to support this strange white man, who puts all his life at stake to teach in a rural area to make the school a Compherensive high school and role model not only in the old Western region, but also in the entire country"
" Upon his Assumption of duty as a principal of Ajuwa Grammar School, GG opened up a new Vista of hope with vision of making Ajuwa a pride, not only to the students but also to the Okeagbe Community.
"GG therefore came to Nigeria as his first part of call was igbobi college, Lagos, where he taught mathematics and physics. He Rose to become a principal and later proceeded to Ajuwa Grammar School.
Commending the Achievements of the late Principal, the Bishop, described Gargiulo as an Altruistic man who gleans Enthusiasm in serving humanity
According to him, he said, "Gargiulo paid more than dozens of students tuition fees while he was the principal. The first set of 19 Students presented for the west African School Certificate Examinations in 1965, all were successful."
"All the the Students who went to further their studies either at HSC or in the University had excellent in their Academic Pursuit, thus making waves in their various discipline within and outside Nigeria"
Meanwhile, Adebayo Lamikanra, on behalf of Igbobi Old Boys Association (Icoba), extolls Gargiulo for been a Sport lover, noting that guy once served as a
Chairman, Ondo State Amateur Swimming Association for more than a Decade.
"The dam, when it was Completed, Opened new Vista to the Students. GG who by his own Addmission could not swim a stroke to save his own life, but he could float, can't swim, but added swimming to the school curriculum and insisted that all students must learn how to swim"
"For GG himself, this Opened the way for his involvement in the Administration of swimming in Ondo State, as he served as Chairman, Ondo State Amateur Swimming Association for no less than seventeen years.
Similarly, Oba Aladelusi, the Deji of Akure, expounded that the white man is reknowned person who have produced many bigwigs such as Doctors, Engineers among Others. He, however, pledges to throw his weight in support for the school.
Speaking on behalf of the Royal Fathers in the Milieu, Oba Sunday Awojulu, the Oludo of Ido Okeagbe, maintains that Gargiulo Consolidated the less privileges to make Whole as he was a Disciplinarian without an iota of hyprocrisy.
"We thank GG for Making us Assests instead of liabilities. Gargiulo was a Disciplinarian all through his life, he trained us to be independent. We had hoes, Cutlass and bowl. Finally we thank the burial committee members for a good job well done".
Prof. Sola Aliu, an Ex- Student, harps on the need to be resolute in Reading, as Gargiulo was a Disciplinarian who encourage Students to have a vocational Skills, which at the latter End would be of benefit.
"The quest to develop a Total man was core to GG's education philosophy. He encouraged Students to read biographies of great men to learn their ways and also introduced clubs like tailoring, printing, carpentry, bricklaying, farming, drama, debating, etc".
"One top legacy from GG is the principle of life-long learning geared towards becoming the best of you, he encourages his childrens to read at least one new book monthly, and learn one new skills every year. His Slang then was "Be the best you can, my boy"
Prof Aliu, Stated Further that GG never had an investment that brings proceeds, rather his investment was hurled at Furnishing the lives of People.
"GG did not invest in goods and services, rather he invested heavily in building social capital that have positive impact on many lives. At 87, when death came, he was already a multi-billionaire, not in cash, but in kind with a social capital net worth that is huge"
"This is obvious when you look around this podium to see what he has become of his investment- the thousands of lives he modeled and mentored.
Lagos State commissioner of Information, Hon. Omotosho, described Gargiulo as man whose impacts remained outstanding and unquantifiable, adding that all the good deeds of the principal will be ever green in memorys of the People.
In the same vein, A Political Chieftain, Hon. Ademola Ijabiyi, said Gargiulo remains ineffable on his part, reteirating he moulded him, and every pupils who passed through the late Principal tutelage posed integrity as an Emblem.
Emphasising on Neatness, ijabiyi said Gargiulo should be conffered distinction. He stressed that Gargiulo was allergic to dirt, stating that Sen.Alasoadura is always Neat with an idyllic environment, all he said, was inculcated from their teacher.
However, the Chairman of Ajuwa Old Students Association, Rear Admiral, S.I Alade said Guy Gargiulo is a man of honour, who has fulfilled so much In life.
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