“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” — African Proverb

Distinguished Mountaineers — welcome!.

Twenty-eight years ago, a group of kindred spirits gathered at No. 10D Sandridge Court, Queens Drive, London N4. They were not founding an empire. They simply wanted to see one another — to share a meal, a laugh, and a memory of the halls of Ibadan Grammar School, Molete. What began as a simple act of friendship has, by the grace of God, grown into something far greater than any of them could have imagined.

I am humbled and deeply privileged to serve as your President.

As my predecessor, Otunba Kenny Adebambo, rightly noted, IGSOSA UK today is home to entrepreneurs, technologists, doctors, engineers, social workers, teachers, and public servants — Mountaineers making a difference in every corner of this nation. We are one family, shaped by one school, bound by one motto: Deo et Patriae — For God and our land. That foundation is solid, and we build on it with gratitude.

But gratitude alone does not move us forward. Vision does.

A Moment for Something New

This is not business as usual. We stand at a transition point — our elders providing wisdom, our younger generation bringing fresh energy. The two must work together. The baton does not fall; it is passed with intention.

After over two decades of service in this association — from Assistant General Secretary through to Vice President — I have learned one enduring truth: leadership is service, and service demands the courage to change what must change. Our association is strong, but strength without direction becomes stagnation. The moment calls for fresh ideas, modern systems, and renewed purpose.

The GUMEE Vision

Our mandate for 2026–2028 is built on five pillars — Grow · Unite · Modernise · Engage · Elevate — and together they spell GUMEE. Not a slogan. A promise.

We will Grow — reaching every IGS graduate in the UK yet to find their home here. Our “Power of One” initiative asks simply: invite just one more Mountaineer. One step, multiplied by many, becomes a movement.

We will Unite — because this house belongs to every class set and every generation. An inclusive culture where every voice matters and no one feels left behind.

We will Modernise — with secure digital systems, a member portal, and transparent reporting, so that geography is no longer a barrier to belonging.

We will Engage — going beyond socials to deliver seminars, mentorship, a skills directory, and forums that add real value to your life and career.

We will Elevate — because our commitment to Ibadan Grammar School itself is unwavering. STEM initiatives, infrastructure support, and measurable school impact remain at the heart of who we are.

Faith at the Centre

None of this happens by our power alone. The God who inspired that first gathering at Sandridge Court — who has sustained this association through twenty-eight years of change, challenge, and celebration — goes before us now. We will plan with diligence and trust Him for the increase. To Him be all the glory.

Come and See

If you have been on the margins, now is the time to step in. If you are a younger alumnus who has never attended a meeting, we want you — your ideas, your energy, your networks. Sub-committees are open and ready for your gifts. There is a seat at this table with your name on it.

The door is open. Come and see.

Long live IGS. Up School