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Tag: Old boys

  • Old Boys plan infrastructure upgrade at alma mater

    Old Boys plan infrastructure upgrade at alma mater

    It was a colourful gathering during the 2015 homecoming of Ngwa High School, Aba Old Boys’ Association. SUNNY NWANKWO reports.

    Ngwa High School is one of the early male schools in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State. The school which was founded in 1952 with Rev. W.G. Pollard as its pioneer Principal has produced many successful businessmen, clerics, top ranking soldiers (both serving and retired) and other professionals such as Chief Mike Ahamba, Prof. Uche Ikonne and acting Vice-Chancellor, Abia State University Uturu Prof. Jasper Fortune Jumbo, among others.

    However, the 2015 gathering of the school which coincided with the Golden Jubilee of the class of 1965 of Ngwa High School Boys Association (NHSOBA) set provided these legal icon, clergies, business gurus and other professionals, the opportunity not only to relish the old school days as students in a secondary school that was the pride of the commercial city  then, it also provided them the opportunity to plan on how to restore the pride of the school; having been returned to the original owners (Anglican Church) by the immediate past Governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Ahamefula Orji. For them, the infrastructural decay in the school is awful.

    According to the Old Boys, their planned partnership with the present management of the school under Aba Ngwa North Anglican Diocese to give their alma mater a facelift, they were embarking on a N10 million project investments.

    Among the projects they intend to carry out in the school are sinking of borehole and reticulating water to every part of the school, including the students’ dormitory among other places.

    Chief Mike Ahamba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and President of the schools’ Old Boys’ Association of the school announced this in Aba as part of the celebration to mark the golden jubilee of the 1965 class.

    President of NHSOBA lamented the level of dilapidation of infrastructure in the school founded in 1954. He promised that the association would partner with the church to address the infrastructural challenges as well as re-establish high standard of learning which the school was known for.

    He said: “We are here for our homecoming and to take a look at the state of infrastructure in the school and see how we can help. The buildings are old and most of the students are day students. We will invest at least N10 million in the first instance of the infrastructural rehabilitation of the school.

    “We would like a situation where most of them would come into residence and that will help to inculcate in them the true character of Ngwa High School personality. We will ensure that immediately we leave here, students of the school will enjoy water from the borehole sunk by the Old Boys’ Association and it will be reticulated. After that, we won’t wait; we will go on to achieve other projects.

    “We enjoyed water system and showers in the 1960s. Why won’t our students enjoy them now? I commend the Vice-President of NHSOBA, Chief Jasper Jumbo for renovating the school’s chapel and library and Dr. Chianyigadi Denna who re-roofed and installed metal doors to the science blocks.”

    Ahamba also said that the association will do all within its capacity to restore the glory of the school.

    “We will try and get it right. It will be a continuous thing. We are doing it for a lot of reasons; this is the only school that bears the name, Ngwa. I believe the Ngwa nation will see it as something they must support even though the Anglican Mission is running it now. But they built the school and gave it to the Anglican Church. That’s what happened in 1953. Now that the Anglican Church has it again, Ngwa people should not turn their back on this citadel that is flying the flag of Ngwa land.”

    Corroborating Chief Ahamba’s views, Prof. Jasper Fortune Jumbo said they were willing to partner with the Anglican Church of Aba Ngwa North Diocese; owners of the school to see ways the glory of the school could be restored which he said would attract parents to sending their children/wards to the school for studies in order to be better equipped academically.

    Earlier in his address, the Principal of the School, Dr. Felix Erondu, who is also an old boy of the school, had enumerated the challenges facing the institution to include lack of laboratory facilities; dilapidated buildings, broken fence and lack school bus.

    Brig. General G.A. Umelo; Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Ali Amodu; Justice Kenneth Amadi; Mr. Emmanuel Denna, Gordy Uche (SAN); incoming ABSU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uche Ikonne; Mr. Eric Archibong and Mr. Chianyidi Denna were among the old boys honoured by the group.

  • Old Boys plan infrastructure upgrade at alma mater

    Old Boys plan infrastructure upgrade at alma mater

    It was a colourful gathering during the 2015 homecoming of Ngwa High School, Aba Old Boys’ Association. SUNNY NWANKWO reports.

    Ngwa High School is one of the early male schools in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State. The school which was founded in 1952 with Rev. W.G. Pollard as its pioneer Principal has produced many successful businessmen, clerics, top ranking soldiers (both serving and retired) and other professionals such as Chief Mike Ahamba, Prof. Uche Ikonne and acting Vice-Chancellor, Abia State University Uturu Prof. Jasper Fortune Jumbo, among others.

    However, the 2015 gathering of the school which coincided with the Golden Jubilee of the class of 1965 of Ngwa High School Boys Association (NHSOBA) set provided these legal icon, clergies, business gurus and other professionals, the opportunity not only to relish the old school days as students in a secondary school that was the pride of the commercial city  then, it also provided them the opportunity to plan on how to restore the pride of the school; having been returned to the original owners (Anglican Church) by the immediate past Governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Ahamefula Orji. For them, the infrastructural decay in the school is awful.

    According to the Old Boys, their planned partnership with the present management of the school under Aba Ngwa North Anglican Diocese to give their alma mater a facelift, they were embarking on a N10 million project investments.

    Among the projects they intend to carry out in the school are sinking of borehole and reticulating water to every part of the school, including the students’ dormitory among other places.

    Chief Mike Ahamba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and President of the schools’ Old Boys’ Association of the school announced this in Aba as part of the celebration to mark the golden jubilee of the 1965 class.

    President of NHSOBA lamented the level of dilapidation of infrastructure in the school founded in 1954. He promised that the association would partner with the church to address the infrastructural challenges as well as re-establish high standard of learning which the school was known for.

    He said: “We are here for our homecoming and to take a look at the state of infrastructure in the school and see how we can help. The buildings are old and most of the students are day students. We will invest at least N10 million in the first instance of the infrastructural rehabilitation of the school.

    “We would like a situation where most of them would come into residence and that will help to inculcate in them the true character of Ngwa High School personality. We will ensure that immediately we leave here, students of the school will enjoy water from the borehole sunk by the Old Boys’ Association and it will be reticulated. After that, we won’t wait; we will go on to achieve other projects.

    “We enjoyed water system and showers in the 1960s. Why won’t our students enjoy them now? I commend the Vice-President of NHSOBA, Chief Jasper Jumbo for renovating the school’s chapel and library and Dr. Chianyigadi Denna who re-roofed and installed metal doors to the science blocks.”

    Ahamba also said that the association will do all within its capacity to restore the glory of the school.

    “We will try and get it right. It will be a continuous thing. We are doing it for a lot of reasons; this is the only school that bears the name, Ngwa. I believe the Ngwa nation will see it as something they must support even though the Anglican Mission is running it now. But they built the school and gave it to the Anglican Church. That’s what happened in 1953. Now that the Anglican Church has it again, Ngwa people should not turn their back on this citadel that is flying the flag of Ngwa land.”

    Corroborating Chief Ahamba’s views, Prof. Jasper Fortune Jumbo said they were willing to partner with the Anglican Church of Aba Ngwa North Diocese; owners of the school to see ways the glory of the school could be restored which he said would attract parents to sending their children/wards to the school for studies in order to be better equipped academically.

    Earlier in his address, the Principal of the School, Dr. Felix Erondu, who is also an old boy of the school, had enumerated the challenges facing the institution to include lack of laboratory facilities; dilapidated buildings, broken fence and lack school bus.

    Brig. General G.A. Umelo; Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Ali Amodu; Justice Kenneth Amadi; Mr. Emmanuel Denna, Gordy Uche (SAN); incoming ABSU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uche Ikonne; Mr. Eric Archibong and Mr. Chianyidi Denna were among the old boys honoured by the group.

  • Old Boys plan infrastructure upgrade at alma mater

    Old Boys plan infrastructure upgrade at alma mater

    It was a colourful gathering during the 2015 homecoming of Ngwa High School, Aba Old Boys’ Association. SUNNY NWANKWO reports.

    Ngwa High School is one of the early male schools in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State. The school which was founded in 1952 with Rev. W.G. Pollard as its pioneer Principal has produced many successful businessmen, clerics, top ranking soldiers (both serving and retired) and other professionals such as Chief Mike Ahamba, Prof. Uche Ikonne and acting Vice-Chancellor, Abia State University Uturu Prof. Jasper Fortune Jumbo, among others.

    However, the 2015 gathering of the school which coincided with the Golden Jubilee of the class of 1965 of Ngwa High School Boys Association (NHSOBA) set provided these legal icon, clergies, business gurus and other professionals, the opportunity not only to relish the old school days as students in a secondary school that was the pride of the commercial city  then, it also provided them the opportunity to plan on how to restore the pride of the school; having been returned to the original owners (Anglican Church) by the immediate past Governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Ahamefula Orji. For them, the infrastructural decay in the school is awful.

    According to the Old Boys, their planned partnership with the present management of the school under Aba Ngwa North Anglican Diocese to give their alma mater a facelift, they were embarking on a N10 million project investments.

    •One of the dilapilated buildings
    •One of the dilapilated buildings

    Among the projects they intend to carry out in the school are sinking of borehole and reticulating water to every part of the school, including the students’ dormitory among other places.

    Chief Mike Ahamba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and President of the schools’ Old Boys’ Association of the school announced this in Aba as part of the celebration to mark the golden jubilee of the 1965 class.

    President of NHSOBA lamented the level of dilapidation of infrastructure in the school founded in 1954. He promised that the association would partner with the church to address the infrastructural challenges as well as re-establish high standard of learning which the school was known for.

    He said: “We are here for our homecoming and to take a look at the state of infrastructure in the school and see how we can help. The buildings are old and most of the students are day students. We will invest at least N10 million in the first instance of the infrastructural rehabilitation of the school.

    “We would like a situation where most of them would come into residence and that will help to inculcate in them the true character of Ngwa High School personality. We will ensure that immediately we leave here, students of the school will enjoy water from the borehole sunk by the Old Boys’ Association and it will be reticulated. After that, we won’t wait; we will go on to achieve other projects.

    “We enjoyed water system and showers in the 1960s. Why won’t our students enjoy them now? I commend the Vice-President of NHSOBA, Chief Jasper Jumbo for renovating the school’s chapel and library and Dr. Chianyigadi Denna who re-roofed and installed metal doors to the science blocks.”

    Ahamba also said that the association will do all within its capacity to restore the glory of the school.

    “We will try and get it right. It will be a continuous thing. We are doing it for a lot of reasons; this is the only school that bears the name, Ngwa. I believe the Ngwa nation will see it as something they must support even though the Anglican Mission is running it now. But they built the school and gave it to the Anglican Church. That’s what happened in 1953. Now that the Anglican Church has it again, Ngwa people should not turn their back on this citadel that is flying the flag of Ngwa land.”

    Corroborating Chief Ahamba’s views, Prof. Jasper Fortune Jumbo said they were willing to partner with the Anglican Church of Aba Ngwa North Diocese; owners of the school to see ways the glory of the school could be restored which he said would attract parents to sending their children/wards to the school for studies in order to be better equipped academically.

    Earlier in his address, the Principal of the School, Dr. Felix Erondu, who is also an old boy of the school, had enumerated the challenges facing the institution to include lack of laboratory facilities; dilapidated buildings, broken fence and lack school bus.

    Brig. General G.A. Umelo; Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Ali Amodu; Justice Kenneth Amadi; Mr. Emmanuel Denna, Gordy Uche (SAN); incoming ABSU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uche Ikonne; Mr. Eric Archibong and Mr. Chianyidi Denna were among the old boys honoured by the group.

  • Old Boys plan infrastructure upgrade at alma mater

    Old Boys plan infrastructure upgrade at alma mater

    The 2015 homecoming of Ngwa High School, Aba Abia State Old Boys’ Association attracted the presence of some of the Alumni of the school who made the event colourful, SUNNY NWANKWO reports.

    Ngwa High School is one of the early male schools in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State. The school which was founded in 1952 with Rev. W.G. Pollard as its pioneer Principal has produced many successful businessmen, clerics, top ranking soldiers (both serving and retired) and other professionals such as Chief Mike Ahamba, Prof. Uche Ikonne and acting Vice-Chancellor, Abia State University Uturu Prof. Jasper Fortune Jumbo, among others.

    However, the 2015 gathering of the school which coincided with the Golden Jubilee of the class of 1965 of Ngwa High School Boys Association (NHSOBA) set provided these legal icon, clergies, business gurus and other professionals, the opportunity not only to relish the old school days as students in a secondary school that was the pride of the commercial city  then, it also provided them the opportunity to plan on how to restore the pride of the school; having been returned to the original owners (Anglican Church) by the immediate past Governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Ahamefula Orji. For them, the infrastructural decay in the school is awful.

    According to the Old Boys, their planned partnership with the present management of the school under Aba Ngwa North Anglican Diocese to give their alma mater a facelift, they were embarking on a N10 million project investments.

    Among the projects they intend to carry out in the school are sinking of borehole and reticulating water to every part of the school, including the students’ dormitory among other places.

    Chief Mike Ahamba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and President of the schools’ Old Boys’ Association of the school announced this in Aba as part of the celebration to mark the golden jubilee of the 1965 class.

    President of NHSOBA lamented the level of dilapidation of infrastructure in the school founded in 1954. He promised that the association would partner with the church to address the infrastructural challenges as well as re-establish high standard of learning which the school was known for.

    He said: “We are here for our homecoming and to take a look at the state of infrastructure in the school and see how we can help. The buildings are old and most of the students are day students. We will invest at least N10 million in the first instance of the infrastructural rehabilitation of the school.

    “We would like a situation where most of them would come into residence and that will help to inculcate in them the true character of Ngwa High School personality. We will ensure that immediately we leave here, students of the school will enjoy water from the borehole sunk by the Old Boys’ Association and it will be reticulated. After that, we won’t wait; we will go on to achieve other projects.

    “We enjoyed water system and showers in the 1960s. Why won’t our students enjoy them now? I commend the Vice-President of NHSOBA, Chief Jasper Jumbo for renovating the school’s chapel and library and Dr. Chianyigadi Denna who re-roofed and installed metal doors to the science blocks.”

    Ahamba also said that the association will do all within its capacity to restore the glory of the school.

    “We will try and get it right. It will be a continuous thing. We are doing it for a lot of reasons; this is the only school that bears the name, Ngwa. I believe the Ngwa nation will see it as something they must support even though the Anglican Mission is running it now. But they built the school and gave it to the Anglican Church. That’s what happened in 1953. Now that the Anglican Church has it again, Ngwa people should not turn their back on this citadel that is flying the flag of Ngwa land.”

    Corroborating Chief Ahamba’s views, Prof. Jasper Fortune Jumbo said they were willing to partner with the Anglican Church of Aba Ngwa North Diocese; owners of the school to see ways the glory of the school could be restored which he said would attract parents to sending their children/wards to the school for studies in order to be better equipped academically.

    Earlier in his address, the Principal of the School, Dr. Felix Erondu, who is also an old boy of the school, had enumerated the challenges facing the institution to include lack of laboratory facilities; dilapidated buildings, broken fence and lack school bus.

    Brig. General G.A. Umelo; Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Ali Amodu; Justice Kenneth Amadi; Mr. Emmanuel Denna, Gordy Uche (SAN); incoming ABSU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uche Ikonne; Mr. Eric Archibong and Mr. Chianyidi Denna were among the old boys honoured by the group.

  • Old boys donate building to alma mater

    Old boys donate building to alma mater

    THE 65/71 set of Government College, Ibadan, has donated a twin building to their alma mater to mark the jubilee celebration of the college.

    At the event, Vita Foam Nigeria Plc was present to display its varieties of product. Interestingly, Vita Foam, with its latest building construction technology, designed and constructed the pre-fabricated building which the old students donated to their alma mater.

    Among the dignitaries present at the event were the members of the old boys’ association led by its National President, Chief Abiodun Jolaoso and the Chairman, GCI Old Boys’ Association 65-71, Dr Segun Oshinyimika.

    Others were the Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Aderonke Makanjuola, former Governor of Kano State, and a member of the  Senate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Chief Emiola Adesina, the founder, Lead City University, Ibadan, Prof. Jide Owoeye,  Patron, GCI, Dr Lekan Aare , Chairman, Nigeria Institute of Building, Lagos State chapter, Mr. Asimiyu Bashiru and directors of Vita Foam Nigeria Plc led by its Chairman, Dr A. Makanjuola.

    The donation of the building was facilitated by the Chairman, Vita Foam Plc, Dr. Makanjuola who is also a member of the 67-71 set of the school.

    While expressing delight over the pre-fabricated structure donated to GCI by Vita Foam through the 65-71 set, Governor Ajimobi said what the association did was more than giving back to its alma mater.

    “You have afforded some people the opportunity of residing in a modern and more befitting building.

    “Do you know that the hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings? We should, however, be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

    “I want to sincerely thank the donors of this pre-fabricated building for deeming it fit to bring another innovative and positive change to Government College, Ibadan. “My prayer for you is that you will be blessed beyond human comprehension “.

    Senator Kwankwaso also expressed delight to be part of the change mantra which the donors have brought about in the school.

    He expressed his love for education, saying it is the currency for the future.

    Senator Kwakwanso, who also congratulated the principal , staff , students and management of GCI on the new pre-fabricated building recalled that from 1999-2003 and 2011-2015 when he served as governor of Kano State, he did all he could to promote education.

    “When I received the invitation, I felt I should be here personally to witness the groundbreaking event. I do ask myself, if I did not go to school, what I would have become today,” he said.

    In his address, the Group Managing Director of Vita Foam, Mr Taiwo Adeniyi praised the principal of the school for his thoroughness and patience during the construction of the building. He congratulated the entire students, members of staff and management of the school on the jubilee celebration.

    Also in his speech, one of the directors of the company, Mr. Sam Okagbue rejoiced with the alumni and the entire members of GCI for the additional new structure, adding that the donation was part of the corporate social responsibilities of Vita Foam to develop the society where it operates it business.

    On the accommodation problem in the country, Mr. Okagbue noted that the event was a significant step forward in the nation’s quest towards providing affordable houses for the masses.

    According to him, the company is poised, with its latest technology in building, to meet the housing needs of Nigerians.

    “This will provide solution to the issue of mass accommodation problem. It’s the first of its kind in Africa in providing cost-effective and viable products. The company remains committed to its obligations to assist government in bridging the gap in providing affordable houses in Nigeria,” Mr. Okagbue said.

    The elated Principal of GCI, Mr. Sola Oladele said he was so excited with the development, adding that before now, the state of accommodation in the school was such that grieves everyone who has passed through GCI.

    His words: “I am so happy to be the Principal of the best college in Africa and we need to give glory to Almighty God for the wonderful gift. I sincerely thank the 65-71 set of the school for their contributions to the development of the school. “Before now, we used to weep, but today, they have brought joy to the school. I am so proud of the old boys because all the fantastic projects in the school were carried out by them.”

    Chief Jolaoso noted that the concept of jubilee celebration in the association began some seven years ago when it was established as a tradition among the old boys to celebrate 50 years of the school.

    While expressing profound gratitude to Vita Foam Nigeria PLC for the gesture, Chief Jolaoso noted that “in GCI, we do experience acute shortage of accommodation; with dilapidated structures all over the school. As a result, he said, the school principal lives outside the college.”

    But with the donation of the pre-fabricated building, the principal can now move into the three bedroom building, while the remaining one will serve as office for the association.”

     

  • Old boys elect new leaders

    The Methodist Boys High School Old Boys Association (METHO OBA 85-91 SET) has elected its first set of executives who will run the association in the year.

    They are: Ghaniyu Kareem (Chairman); Tella Aderemi (vice chairman); Bode Ajayi (secretary); Odeleye Supo (treasurer); Adegunle Olugbamila (PRO 1) and Dopemu Wole (PRO 2).

    The election held at the group’s reunion/annual general meeting in Lagos on boxing day. Thirty members attended.

    Kareem, who was returned opposed, said the election was not about who occupies what position, but the passion of the new leaders to help the association succeed.

    Seeking members’ support and encouragement, Ganiyu said a new account with the prefix: ‘Metho 85-91′ would be opened this month, urging them to donate as soon as the account number was made available so that the association’s activities could kick off.

    At the event, members discussed how to reach out to those not yet aware of the body, assist their less-privileged colleagues, as well as how to assist the new leaders to succeed, among others.

  • Old Boys urge Oyo to return mission schools

    The Old Boys’ Association of Loyola College, Ibadan, has urged the Oyo State government to return missionary schools to their original owners.

    It said this would tackle the falling standard of education.

    The association’s National President, Dr. Benedictus Ajayi, spoke with reporters yesterday on the state of facilities at the college.

    He said the return of missionary schools would save the government money.

    Lamenting the decay at his alma-mater, Ajayi said: “We were shocked when we went to Loyola College. We met it in a state of disrepair, not because the teachers are bad or the pupils are terrible, but the structure is over crowded. Facilities meant for 200 pupils are used by 2,000 pupils and 450 teachers teach 7,000 pupils. There are no doors, windows and toilets. What are they teaching in such environment?”

    He said during their days at the college, the school was well equipped and pupils and teachers were disciplined.

    Ajayi said: “Government has no business handling schools. There have been many correspondences calling for it to hands off and I believe that in no distant time, schools will be handed back to their original owners.”

    He hailed the Lagos State government for taking the lead in returning missionary schools to their owners.

    Ajayi said: “The school has gone through a pathetic transformation since it was taken over by the government, such that enrolment reduced drastically and infrastructure greatly dilapidated. This compelled old students to rally round and see how we can transform the school for the better.

    “We need other members of the association to support this cause financially, because it is our desire to see the school regain its pride as one of the best in Ibadan.”