On the nickname challenge, I am kick starting the show for the 1983 -1988 Set (WASC 1988) – 1988 set guys should please add to the list or correct me where I got the details mixed up.

Teachers

Mikasa – The Sport Master in the mid 80s. Very passionate about football and sport in general at GSSA. His reign as the sport master brought new life into our sport conquest in and beyond Afikpo. He got the name because he insisted that the school purchase authentic sport equipment such as Mikasa. He could play football too. Can’t remember what subject he taught at GSSA or his real Name

Mr Oko (Oko Bongo) – The Physical Education teacher and (assistant to Mikasa)) sport master, he picked up his nickname, you can guess that already, from the Bongo trouser he used to wear. He carried over the 1960/70s fashion into the 1980s when Baggy trousers reigned.

Mr Nwigwe (Igbo ga adi ooo) – Our Igbo language teacher in 1985 -1987. His trademark greeting on entering the class gave him the nickname. Unfortunately, he was tragically killed in a car accident along Okigwe-Afikpo road on his way back to GSSA from Uturuwhere he went to visit his daughter studying at the then Imo State University – I still recall the procession by the students in his honor and the dirge we sang

One mole, 2 mole – the funny nickname we used to call our chemistry teacher in form 3 and part of form 4. Can’t recall his real name, one memory that stands out is my recollection of his passion to win the 100 Naira prize money during the Imo Airport Appeal fund lottery

Mr. Egwu (Itara Unwana) – a tempestuous Character of a teacher and a Bachelor extraordinaire, the Government teacher was known for his caning ability and his readiness to fold up his sleeves and slug it out with big Boys. He doubled also as the Refectory Master and who can forget his dalliances with the school cook, Mary. I used to be his mule (courier), ferrying (love)letters to and fro Women Training College (WTC) Afikpo where I used to live in the staff quarters

Mr Obasi (The Principal – Obasi ke ya Okpo – Obasi give him a knock (on the head)) – he acquired this name after a student reported his experience in his office. The said Student was under punishment, for whatever infraction, and was kneeling down in the Principal’s office when the his wife (who by the way was our Literature teacher) walked into his office and not bothering to know what the student did, simply “commanded” her husband “Obasi ke ya okpo” – he obeyed and that was followed by “Obasi ke kwa ya ozo” – give him another knock, to which he allegedly complied.

Mr Egwu (Bororo) – Our Agric Science teacher and my Form Master in Form 1A in 1983  from Oziza community in Afikpo – he took the name from one of his Agric Science classes (a cattle specie is called Red Bororo)

Mr Uwaezuoke (Mbakwe) – very few people at GSSA in the 80s knew the real name of this Mathematics teacher. Such was his popularity that whenever he’s descending the Pavilion steps during morning assemby, with his characteristic limp, the chorus of “Mbakwe” will rent the air. Before he left GSSA in 1986/87, it was rumored that some students scooped shit into his jacket pocket while he was pursuing them for late coming. This was alleged to have happened behind the Water tower. He was XXL in size.

Students

I will restrict the student’s section to known names, mostly those who were more visible, who represented the school in Sport or Academics

Sage – He was popularly known as Sage, I guess his real name is Agha and one of the “older” guys in our set. Very well respected and used to lead our school during “march past”

Ugarios – Chinasa Uga. He was one of the best football players that GSSA ever produced. In 1987 though, he punctured his eyeball with a needle while trying to sew his football boots

acover (pronounced “akover”) – a name given mostly to those students who were ahead in preparing for WAEC than others (mostly for science students). However, the name was given to Samuel Obiahu, a “late bloomer” who failed and had to repeat Form 4 (thereby joining us in Form 4 in 1987), but improved tremendously academically, that he was representing the school in science quiz competitions

More to follow soon