Summary of Convention and Key Highlights:
Introduction
On the weekend of August 7 to 9, 2009 at the Sheraton Washington North Hotel, close to the historic capital of the USA, more than four dozen men gathered for the third annual convention of the Government Secondary School Afikpo Alumni Association (GSSAAA), an association born out of a need to organize alumni resident outside of Nigeria. This is a summary of what these Mgbomiams (as they call themselves) did over three days. In attendance
They came from far and near; they came from Nigeria, they came from the UK, they came from Canada, and they came from every region of the USA. They came with their wives, they came with their young adult children, they came with their minor children, and they came with their friends. They came to celebrate their pedigree, to celebrate a bond, a bond made strong by a kinship, a kinship of common values and of common outlook, mindset, ideas and orientation. They came to reinforce a bond forged by a common formative experience lived and shared in a place called Government Secondary School, located in Afikpo, a town on the banks of the Cross River in Eastern Nigeria. They came to celebrate GSSA, a school which from inception set itself apart and ranked among the best in the world in academics, sports, leadership development and co-curricular activities. They came to celebrate the great products of their alma mater who continue to lead and excel in diverse fields of human endeavour, fulfilling the biblical passage from which their school motto is derived “…. and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the King“.
These “kinsmen” included several generations; “old timers” who graduated in the early to mid 1960’s, “baby boomers” who graduated from the late 1960’s to the late 1970’s and “generation X’s” who graduated in the 1980’s. These “kinsmen”, all well accomplished, included attorneys, physicians of every specialty, engineers, architects, university professors, social scientists, bureaucrats, economists, accountants, pharmacists, IT specialists, scientists, and businessmen. What they did
Over three days they interacted, debated and deliberated on issues. Over three days they made formal and impromptu speeches, retold stories of their days in school with updates on life after school. Over three days they informed and were informed. Central to their discussions was the current state of their alma mater, hitherto a diamond of the finest grade, but which through commission and omission had been transformed to common charcoal. They spent time discussing strategies to restore their alma mater back to its glory, to reclaim its rightful place in the comity of the finest secondary schools in the world.
Following these deliberations, and with a renewed kinship and sense of common purpose, they pledged to continue their common goal of restoring their alma mater to its former glory. To ensure this goal is achieved as set, each individual according to his situation pledged his resources, skills, and time. At the end, tens of thousands of dollars were raised for the restoration, including multi-year pledges by some alumni. As a group, they also pledged to redouble efforts to walk in lock-step with their kinsmen resident in other parts of the globe, to ensure their resources and efforts are synchronized.
With a sense of an accomplished mission, they celebrated, exchanged personal information with one another, promising to keep in touch. At the end they made a pledge to do whatever it takes to keep the flame alive. They dispersed, with an agreement to meet again in the summer of 2010 in the city of Chicago, Illinois, USA.
The following are highlights of the convention;
Arrival and Reception
Official arrival for the convention was Friday, August 7, but Dr Ike Eni (WASC 75) and Mr Roxton Chukwu (WASC 78) taking advantage of the low group rate for the hotel rooms, arrived early with their families to explore the historic US Capital. Leonard Ozoemena (WASC 77), convention chairman, was on hand to welcome all on arrival. Oh boy, 40 years on, you still look the same!
By mid afternoon of Friday August 7th, more than half the delegates had arrived, and by the early evening, the large lobby of Sheraton hotel had been completely taken over by GSSA old boys. Handshakes gave way to hugs and cries of joy. Stories of 30 to 45 years of lives lived apart were compressed into snapshots of key milestones in life’s journeys. Cameras clicked endlessly to capture these emotional moments for posterity. The kinship was alive! Some were in their second or third re-union, but for some it was like the old days again, or like a time travel, meeting legends they had only heard of or read about. Under this euphoria, some juniors appeared unsure whether to respond to greetings with a “yes sir”, or “yes please”. In due course, “yes please”, “yes please” left no doubt who these men were. Business and Pleasure
Around dinner time on day one, the Board of Trustees held a planned, formal strategy session. In the meantime, an unplanned, impromptu gathering formed in the main bar of Sheraton Hotels, and before you could say “oin”, very serious issues ranging from the state of GSSA, GSSAAA vis-à-vis GSSOBA, opportunities for collaboration with other old boys’ associations, and the ever popular politics of Nigeria, were being discussed. This impromptu gathering provided a light hearted moment for junior old boys to take jabs at senior old boys who in their days were “strict disciplinarians”, mgbomian style.
A late evening reception was held in the small ballroom of Sheraton. This was a meet and greet opportunity for alumni, and invitees. Billed to last till 11 PM, this reception went on well past midnight. People were simply having too much fun, getting acquainted and re-acquainted. There was dancing too! Dr Fidelis Mkparu, (WASC 77) and his wife were the first on the dance floor, but others soon joined. A key highlight of the night was a dance performance put on by Ndukwe Emeruwa (WASC 76) and Anthony Isama (WASC 72), it was worthy of an MTV award.
The Main Event
Day two started off with a buffet-style breakfast, a continuation of meet and greet ceremonies, registration of attendees and setting up for the main event. Prayers and Opening Speeches
At approximately 11 AM the master of convention, Patrick Mgbada (WASC 77), called the convention to order. Ota G. O. C. (WASC 77) said the opening prayer, a short prayer that packed a punch; it was quintessential GSSA and set the tone for the day. All alumni, their families and invited guests attended this part.
In his welcoming remarks, the convention chairman, Leonard Ozoemena (WASC 77) thanked all attendees, and invited guest, and concluded with this remark “Beyond this Convention, let us in a future day be able to tell the story that when called upon, we were the men who rose up to the need and necessity to bring GSSA back to it’s rightful place as one of the world’s greatest leadership institutions on the west side of our continent”.
In his speech, the President of the GSSAAA, David Eze Uche (WASC 77) recounted the brief history of the association, recalling its origins and key players. He reminded attendees of the proud heritage that their alma mater bestowed on them, and charged them to ensure this heritage is not diminished. Keynote Address; Putting Things in Perspective Prof Emmanuel Mba, House Captain, Afikpo House (1960 to 1962) delivered the keynote address. True to his name and title, Prof Mba set out to boast, toast, and boost the history, image and accomplishments of GSSA and its alumni. He took attendees on a journey through time, putting the GSSA story in historical context. He recalled the social, political and ideological time period of GSSA’s birth and formative years. Prof Mba recounted how the academic accomplishments of GSSA students was a source of consternation in the British Home office. He recalled how starting in 1962, GSSA students consistently cornered 10% of university scholarships awarded by the “US Agency for Africa” to school graduates in all of Africa. He also recalled that many attended top flight universities, and left an indelible mark in these universities, by sometimes completing their degrees one year ahead of schedule.
Prof Mba observed that no mater how successful an alumnus becomes, or how long ago one graduated from GSSA, deep down each alumnus knows that the foundation of his success lies in GSSA. Prof Mba provided practical advice on the way forward for the Association, including taking advantage of public and private avenues for resource generation, increased networking, collaborating with other chapters of our alumni network and cooperating with other alumni associations of other schools, and above all ensuring openness and transparency in the association’s business to maintain trust and keep members engaged. GSSA Forever, – Address by the Chairman of the BOT of GSSAAA.
A buffet lunch followed Prof Mba’s address, then more video presentations including a video of the recently completed water project. In the meantime Dr Oliver Akamnonu (WASC 1965, HSC 1967/70), author of several books, including some that detail life in GSSA in the 1960s, was signing autographs.
With all the information on the poor physical state of GSSA having been presented to the audience, it was time to close the deal. This task fell on Dr Obi Nwasokwa, School Captain 1967 /70 (including the forced break caused by the civil war, Dr Nwasokwa and his classmates were students of GSSA for nearly 10 years). Dr Nwasokwa delivered his speech like a salesman cum motivational speaker. To appreciate this speech, one needs to picture oneself in the Umuofia village square (of Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”), listening to the orator, Ogbuefi Ezeugo, as he called on his fellow Umuofians to take action to redress the injustice and crime of the “beasts” of Mbaino. In the same vein, Dr Nwasokwa pointed to the rape of what was once a magnificent school and charged alumni to take action to redress the situation. He effectively made the case for the restoration of GSSA, as the reactions of alumni later showed..
Dr Nwasokwa charged alumni to emulate world famous astronauts who having come to appreciate mother earth’s beauty and importance to them, following their extraterrestrial sojourns, collectively pledged to do whatever it takes to save it from demise. He warned that detractors will describe the task ahead as monumental and impossible to accomplish, but counselled that it was better to fail trying than not to try at all.
Finally, Dr Nwasokwa singled out some distinguished old boys and the National GSSAOBA for praise, calling on all to emulate the noble efforts of these individuals and groups. Dr Nwasokwa also listed some practical steps that the GSSAAA in collaboration with other old boy groups will embark on to restore GSSA to its rightful place. Dr Nwasokwa’s speech is posted on the GSSAAA web site, the first portion of this report borrows liberally from the speech. Other Messages and Greetings
Greetings and goodwill messages were delivered by Mr. David Nwachukwu (WASC 73, HSC 75), GSSOBA, Lagos, Arch Patrick Uyawune (WASC 71, HSC 73), GSSOBA Port Harcourt, Dr Amala Ejikeme (WASC 1966, HSC 71), GSSOBA, UK, Benjamin Ogbuagu (HSC 1966), GSSOBA Onitsha, Mrs Onyenedum, spouse of Philip Onyenedum (WASC, 73) and daughter of Dr Akabogu (Egbe), former principal. Each old boy had an opportunity to make a speech. Most echoed the points made in the formal speeches, and most made monetary pledges. Some alumni used the opportunity to recall experiences in GSSA. Some of these experiences though bitter when they occurred, turned out to have contributed to success in life after GSSA. Ideas presented included for GSSAAA to establish and manage a web site for the GSSOBA, create opportunities for and encourage smaller donors while celebrating large donors, ensure pledges are fulfilled. By acclamation, the current executive and board were asked to stay on, while Chicago was selected to host the next convention in 2010.
Dinner, Dance and Goodbyes
By late evening, it was time to socialize. This was a very formal occasion. All attendees, old boys and their family members and invited guests tuned out promptly, dressed in the most gorgeous attires. It was easy to tell that in addition to their academic prowess, GSSA old boys are fashionable and marry the prettiest, smartest, women.
A sumptuous buffet dinner was served. Unlike the old school days, each individual carried his plate, and served himself, irrespective of status as oin, senior, prefect or captain. Dinner was another opportunity to interact, and hold mini meetings with members of individual’s set/ graduating class. The DJ’s music selection was awesome. A key highlight was young children leading their parents and others in the dance “macarana”. This was simply fantastic.
Early Sunday morning was time for final informal discussions over a buffet style breakfast. Amazingly, nearly everyone was prompt for breakfast, testimony to the conditioning old boys got from the early wake up for cross country runs, and other sports and chores. Then came the goodbyes. See you in Chicago, Deo volente!
-Roxton Chukwu