The Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule will be a guest speaker at the 2022 Home Coming and World Convention of Government Secondary School Afikpo (GSSA, Ebonyi State, while Ejiofor Ezekwe, retired Bank CEO, and a leading Asset and Leasing Consultant will be the keynote speaker, reports ITREALMS.
Chairman of the 2022 Home Coming and World Convention Planning Committee, Amaechi Ude Nkama, in memo to the school’s alumni members, said that the 4-day event has been scheduled between October 20 to 23, 2022 at Afikpo, Ebonyi State.
Nkama also informed GSSA’s old boys that Eng. David Nweze Umahi, the Governor of Ebonyi State, also an old boy of the school is the Chief Host.
Nkama equally stated that the Planning Committee is exceptionally thrilled with the level of support and cooperation from its old boys’ who reside in Nigeria and the Diaspora, towards ensuring the successful hosting of an outstanding four-day convention.
He revealed that the convention theme, “Taking Charge of the Future” reflects the commitment of the alumni association to secure a brighter future for present and future generations of GSSA students and by extension, Nigerian students, who are expected to impact the Nigerian society and the world positively in the years to come.
The programme of activities for this year’s convention released by the Planning Committee will feature among others, the formal dedication and reopening of the newly renovated School Captains Lodge which will be renamed Captain Etta Arikpo Lodge in honour of the first School Captain who is expected to be in attendance.
In his remarks, Chairman, Communication and Publicity Sub-committee, Franklyn Ginger-Eke told ITREALMS they were excited about the homecoming.
“We are happy to be hosting yet another of our gatherings, and this time we are witnessing a strengthening of the ongoing partnership between Government Secondary School Afikpo Old Boys Association (GSSAOBA) and Government Secondary School Afikpo Alumni Association (GSSAAA). This also explains it’s a hybrid to encourage our old boys in the diaspora and those unable to travel down to Afikpo to participate online in the various activities” Eke said.
The 2022 Homecoming and World Convention, he said, would seek to aggregate a refined vision for creative partnerships to improve the quality of secondary education in Nigeria, and adequately prepare young ones with requisite skills to meet development challenges of the 21 century.
ITREALMS recalled that Government Secondary School Afikpo (GSSA), located in Ebonyi State, was established in 1953 by British colonial authority with Charles W. Low (an Australian) as its first Principal. The School was one of the antebellum “leadership academies” of Nigeria until the war and its aftermath, and has to date, produced accomplished alumni/old boys in diverse walks of life. Engr. David Nweze Umahi, the current Governor of Ebonyi State is one of its many distinguished products.
Though established as an elite STEM (Science Tech, Engineering and Maths) school and reputed to be one of the best public secondary schools in Nigeria – where academics was highly celebrated, equal importance was also placed on character development; discipline, leadership and sense of duty/responsibility to the community. The school also had an Officer Cadet Corps that offered instructions in adventure training, camping and field drills; as well as participated actively in sports and extra-curricular activities, such as athletics, cricket, hockey, and football (soccer).
Further, ITREALMS recalled that over the past 10 years plus, GSSA Alumni/Old Boys across the globe had resolved to restore our beloved alma mater and to make her great again. To achieve this goal, we have cumulatively raised and spent over $100m towards a “Rebuild & Restore” agenda of reviving dilapidated physical structures – Main Class Room blocks, Examination Hall, Library and laboratories, Assembly Hall, School Hostels, Sports Pavilion, Motorized Water Boreholes, Sick Bay, ultra-modern Interactive Video Learning initiative, e-library, motorized boreholes and water reticulation system, solar electricity and donation of books on relevant subjects, among others.
Usually, our annual conventions are held in different parts of the world, while the homecoming to the alma mater is geared to support efforts at recreating the rich history of a conducive learning environment and facilities, as well as the high standards in academic pursuit. The events also provide an opportunity to motivate the current generation of staff and students to return to those hallmarks of quality public education in Nigeria, which we all had the privilege of enjoying at Government Secondary School Afikpo. Apart from reminiscing on the rich history of dedicated teachers, good students, good results, and excellence in sports, we review progress on the restoration initiative and plan for more projects in the spirit of giving back to where the strong foundations for us to excel in life, were laid.
Uboshe Uboshe/Editor
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