From all walks of life around the world, old students of Aggrey Memorial College, Arochukwu, Abia State gathered recently in answer to a clarion call by the Alumni Association for a historic re-union of its old boys and girls.
It was a day hundreds of old students of the college came together to raise funds, to rebuild their alma mater, in an effort to restore its past glory.
They equally attracted friends of the college that share their passion for quality education, which the college in its heyday provided kids who have now become important personalities.
Starting with a novelty football match of the oldies on December 28, a road show followed, with the old girls donning customized T-shirts and their trademark college skirt, leading to a special dinner hosted by an alumnus, Sir Chikwendu Udensi. The exercise served to sensitize the communities of the unfolding epochal event.
The celebrations climaxed on December 29 during an electrifying gala nite, where the essence of the gathering was drummed home at the Arochukwu Civic Centre.
In her address, chairperson of the organizing committee, Mrs. Grace C. Okaro, welcomed the old students to where she described as “your former place of sojourn,” thus igniting their feeling of nostalgia.
President of the Alumni Association, Mazi Emmanuel Okoro Egbukwu, traced the historical trajectory of the college, which was founded in 1932 by a foremost educator, Dr. Alvan Ikoku. Appealing to the old students and their friends that indeed Aggrey Memorial College, Arochukwu, Abia State needs help, Egbukwu regretted that its infrastructure had decayed due to years of neglect.
He, however, said that “a new era for our alma mater is here, and I urge you all to be steadfast and firm in your belief in a renewed Aggrey for posterity.”
According to him, urgent attention of the Alumni is required in identifying areas of intervention for sustainable development and improvement of the institution, and to liaise with relevant authorities with the aim of restoring the school’s decayed infrastructure.
For their achievements, and to the credit of the college, some notable old students were accorded recognition denoted by presentation of plaques. Also, some influential persons in the catchment communities earned the recognition of the college for their contributions to it development.
Notable personalities that graced the occasion included Prof Okoro Ijoma, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Dr.O.J Nnanna, Prof Solo Umeham, Mazi Dave Imoko, Dr. Uche Orji, Sir Chikwe Udensi, Dr Emma Nwadeyi, Elder Ike Onu and his wife, Engr. Nnamdi Udoh and Mazi Udo Torty among others.
First sitting in Class clusters, one of the ways they demonstrated their yearning to mingle once again was the spontaneity with which they broke the ranks, converting every space of the floor for dancing, in response to familiar songs of the ‘old skool’ genre. It was indeed a no-holds-barred exercise, some with glasses of wine in their hand.
A cross-section of the old students expressed delight at the occasion, giving kudos to the Alumni executive for organizing the event.
Mrs. Ivuoma Ndukwe, an old student of the class of 1979, who flew in from the United States of America for the re-union, said her trip home was worth the while.
For Dr. Henry Onyeador, another Diaspora-based old student, the re-union represented a remarkable milestone in the history of the college.