Maduako Igbokwe l Monday, January 03, 2022
UTURU, Abia, Nigeria – It was a moment of celebration and joy as class of 1985 , Uturu Secondary School , Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State held its maiden annual reunion in Uturu after 36 years .
The reunion which was sponsored by Engr. Ifeanyi Lebechi of Schlumberger, Houston USA at his country home , Akpukpa Uturu attracted who is who among the old students across all walks of life.
Among the old students that graced the occasion include, Lagos based stockbroker , Mr. Charles Ezenwa , Prof. Nkechi Ohaike (nee Efika) of Nigeria Language Institute , Umuahia , Mr. Maurice Onuaha, a South African based businessman, Prince George Ndubuisi CEO of Far East limited Lagos, Chief Boniface Chilaka , a businessman based in Port Harcourt.
Others include Ugochukwu Okorie, an importer based in Lagos ,Chief Amachi Boniface Ukoro , a businessman based in Onitsha, Nurses Jessy Okoroafor, nee Ibeawe, a staff of Abia State University, Uturu, Iganitus Alago , a great farmer ,Longinus Okpara , a Benin-based businessman , a very resourceful and great farmer ,Mr Ojiabo Kingsley, Pastor Christoper Orieji, Ukandu Cyprian, Ngozi Okocha, Titus Eleweke and others.
The sponsor , Engr. Lebechi , in his opening remark thanked members for attending the reunion , which according to him is the beginning of good things to come for members of the class of 85.
He called on members to look inward and see how they can add value to their Alma mater and to their mates who need helps. Lebechi said that despite having the reunion very late , members should do everything to ensure that some of those whom God has blessed extend their God blessings to others and Uturu secondary school. He promised to do all within his reach to make sure that the union blossoms to greater height.
Also speaking at the occasion, George Ndubuisi pleaded with members to remain committed towards driving the success and substance of the alumni association .
He also urged members who are challenged to come closer to some members who can be of help to them, noting that the essence of old students was to give back to their schools and to help mates in various capacities.
In her opening remark, Prof. (Mrs) Nkechi Ohaike, who presided over the gathering thanked members of class of 85 for attending the reunion in great number.
According to her, there is a lot to be gained in alumni association and urged members to show high level of commitment to the association , especially towards adding values to institution that groomed them.
She also called on members to always remember that they have a duty to members who are being challenged to find their bearings in life. She thanked Lebechi for creating the opportunity that brought them together after many years of departure from Uturu College .
During the reunion, the following people emerged as executive members , Chairman, Prof.Nkechi Ohaike nee Efika ,Vice Chairman Mr Maurice Onuoha, Treasurer. Mrs Ngozi Unam, Financial secretary , Mr Ifeanyi Lebechi , Secretary, Jessy Okoroafor (nee) Ibekwe, Assistant Secretary. Mr Charles Ezenwa, Public Relations Officer, Titus Eleweke and Mr Longinus Okpara as the Welfare officer.
The house also setup a three-man committee to draft bye-law for the association. Members are Barrister Pius Ikeoma as chairman, Ojiabo Kingsley Secretary and Ugochukwu Okorie as member.
Speaking on behalf of the new executives, the Vice-Chairman, Mr. Onuoha thanked the members for entrusting on them the confidence to pilot the affair of the association and assured that they will do all that is necessary to lift the union to greater height.
According to him, forming the association has always been his dream and today he was is grateful to see his dream come to pass. He thanked those who came up with the idea some years back and had sustained it to fruition.
According to him, the reunion was awesome as most people in the set of 85 have not been able to set their eyes on one another since graduation.
” I am proud to be here ,I am proud to be associated with this noble set. It has always been my wish and dream that we meet ourselves and today we are meeting I am happy and pleased. I want to thank those who came up with this idea and we will continue to grow it to greater level. I came to Nigeria because of this and I am happy seeing this take off ” he said .
He also promised that the executive would prioritize on members welfare, noting that one of the agenda would be to bring members together for synergy. He also called In members not to shy away from attending meetings for whatever reason, urging them to open up to members if they have challenges for assistance.
Onuoha called on members to look for others wherever they are and bring them in and ensure they are registered into the association.
According to him, the executive will do all things humanly possible to ensure that the set makes meaningful contribution to the development of Uturu secondary school where they got the best as students .
Onuoha also assured that the executive would drive a programme to make sure members are given the opportunity to fit in properly into the society.
Meanwhile, Prince George Ndubuisi, in his overwhelming joy promised to host the association in December 2022. The highlight of the occasion was optional donations to help less privileged members who were in attendance and some were greatly empowered.
