FEAR GOD AND HONOUR THE KING. (AFIKPO GSS WE HAIL THEE, EVER BRIGHT AND PROMINENT, THY DESIRE OF YOU TO SEE, EMINENCE WITH THY TALENT)
My Yes pleases, my mates and “oins”. Idu is very correct; we were the last set that saw the glory of GSSA. I remember G Umeham of blessed memory who was our house master (Akabuogu House). I remember Saturday’s inspection and parade and the punishments meted to those on detention during the parade. The school captain during my class one (1980) was Kinglsey Ajah. I remember vividly my first day in GSSA. My mother was instrumental to my choosing GSSA, as my first school of choice when I took the common entrance exam all the way in Lagos where I was domiciled with my parents.
To cut a long story short GSSA was instrumental in shaping me to what I am today. Those days we had role models among the seniors. We wanted to emulate those seniors who were academically outstanding and our discussion then as junior students was how we were going to make our A’s in the WAEC exams. GSSA had this tradition then of pasting the WAEC result on the notice board outside the principal’s office. I don’t know if it’s still the practice now; I doubt it.
My role model in my class one was Deputy School Captain, Mathew Udenewu, who made the best result in WAEC in his set. I can still see the Pride in O.O. Otisi’s face when he made the announcement one morning in the assembly. Whenever the WAEC result is out you see student milling around the board checking the results and cramming the details. The thought that one day yours will be there made you to aspire to put in your best because you are aware your juniors are watching and they’ll tell your story to others coming after you’ve left.
My memory of GSSA is too long I cannot tell it all. G. Umeham (RIP) was a wonderful and wise housemaster. I’ll ever hold him in high esteem. Anyone that was in Akabogu house will attest to this.
I wept when I saw the dilapidated state of the school. Thank God we’re waking up to the challenge of restoring GSSA to its lost Glory and let us not rest till it’s done.
As always let us Fear God and honor the King. I’ll continue to recount my fond memories as time goes on. Long live GSSA.
Uchenna Akweke,
Akabogu House (80-85 set)
Toronto.
Excuse me Please Teddy,
During our time, Father Tagbo was not discussed. We heard so much about Dr. Akabogu, and there was a day he actually visited.
I think Mr. Umeham got in touch with him somehow and informed him a house was named after him and he was so excited that he decided to come see the house for himself.
Idu’s writing made me go back memory lane. You can’t help but appreciate a tradition that shaped you up as a man. The discipline you get from GSSA helps you appreciate life. Otisi was a great principal that appreciated sports laced with strong academic performance. He was a strong disciplinarian. He maintained the tradition up to the time he left in 1982. In terms of sports we were not rivaled within Afikpo environ and Okigwe zone where we were zoned then. During my time there was that emphasis on your performance in your academics with overall objective of passing your WAEC.
We as GSSA students always stood out in our uniforms. Whether on Sundays when we marched to the Presbyterian Church in town outside the school all dressed in white and led by the chapel prefect or on Saturday mornings from 5a.m when we are awaken to prepare for Saturday inspection and parade. We did all sorts of house cleaning so that our house will come first in the inspection, if we don’t come first we have our house captain to contend with.
I am filled with fond memories that I’ll always treasure; we all came from far and near to be molded by this great institution. It’s quite a pity that we come from a country (Nigeria) that cares less about preserving the dignity of great institutions. GSSA had a tradition and I am happy I met the tradition and partook in it. I intend to be in Chicago in August, God will.
Uchenna Akweke,
Akabogu House, 80-85