It was fun, opportunity to re-unite with old friends and make new friend when Alumni of Federal College of Education Technical, Omoku, Rivers State hosted both new and old students at the special median congress and homage at their alma-mater.
The three-day event took place at the college campus and activities include lecture, football match, community service and presentation of awards. The congress tagged “The Home Coming” was described by the school authority as the greatest gathering in the history of Omoku College Alumni and afforded old boys who graduated about 15 years ago avenue to re-unite.
Welcoming the alumni, the Deputy Provost, Sir Bassey Ubong, said the management of the college was happy with the turnout, especially those who came from the northern and western parts of the country.
He said, “Alumni are just trying to be like other great Alumni in various institutions. But they should know that abroad the college or university cannot do without them. If you go to campuses today even in Nigeria you will find wonderful projects executed by alumni. We pray that in future the alumni will make progress by making themselves available to the collage.”
The Registrar of the college, Pastor Emmanuel Onyije, said the greatest thing about the gathering was that it will send a strong signal to both old and new students to understand the importance of alumni and make them work hard for the interests of the association and the growth of the college.
“They are the children of this great college, as they are gathering here today I know some of them are very rich they should not forget this collage. There is infrastructural decay; the college is in need of Good projects, so it is necessary to look inward about the challenges facing the college.”
In his lecture titled: “The Challenges of Alumni Association a Collective Responsibility” the Deputy National President of the Alumni, Sir. Emeka Nwokocha, said without the effort of some persons who realised the importance of alumni it could have been impossible to achieve any success.
He said the association metamorphosed to a new level where it was given a pride of place among the units in the college. “Many thanks to the provost, Sir Dr. Silas Oguzor and the Deputy Provost Dr. Bassey Ubong for their understanding in placing the alumni association on the pinnacle where they stand today. It is often said that whom much is given much is expected. With the appointment of a desk officer, creation of Alumni unit and lately appointment of a Deputy Registrar for the unit much was now expected from the association. The Provost in one of the inaugurations of the association’s caretaker committee puts it succinctly. In his words “Alumni association are integral part of every tertiary institution and their role in the development of the college is of essence.”
Sir Nwokocha, however, said the basic problem of the college is under-funding. He noted that negative influence of corruptive and valueless political system, planning and implementation problem has result in many issues such as weakening of tertiary institutions administration, poor teaching and learning.
The college alumni during the congress meeting presented award to distinguished members of the association who have contributed to the growth of the Alumni.
The Chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Felix Obuah and the Provost of Federal College of Education Technical Omoku, Dr. Salas Oguzor bagged the college Alumni Special Grand Ambassador Awards. Other members of the Alumni who have contributed greatly to the association were also rewarded with outstanding and distinguished Ambassadors Awards.
The National President of the Alumni, Mr. Brown Isobonye Ebenezer presented the Award to Obuah, who was represented by his wife.
Mr. Isobonye said it has become necessary to come back to the college and look at the challenges facing the school and contribute their own quota by giving back little of what the college has given to them.
“We have decided that we want to appreciate Felix Obuah who was the pioneer President of the Alumni. The planned secretariat building of the Alumni will be called Felix Obuah Alumni Secretariat.”
Mrs. Charity Obuah, who received the Award on behalf of her husband, said he appreciated the Award and will do everything possible to continue to contribute his own quota to the progress of the association and development of the college.
She said “My lovely husband is unavoidably absent, but I must tell you, he appreciates the Award here tonight. His dream has always been how to contribute to the development of the society. So, I am not surprised that this association recognised his efforts. Don’t forget I am also a member of this association because I graduated from this college and I will encourage anyone to do his or her best to ensure the progress of the association. “
Mr. Lawrence Igenewari, the leader of 1991-1995 set of the college who also doubled as the Chairman of Networking and Membership committee said though there are lapses, he believed that in future the congress will get better if all hands are on desk.
He said: “If you want me to describe the congress, I will tell you that we have tried but that is not enough. We witness areas that need to be adjusted, next time we are hosting another congress, like the area of publicity we are below the expectation. We need to publish some advert and host press conference a week before the congress.”
The high points of the occasion included football match, unveiling of Alumni secretariat building, congress lecture, familiarisation tour of the collage and presentation of Awards to some members of the alumni.