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For the 1982 set of Unity School Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Council of Delta State, it was like journey through the time recently in Benin, Edo state. It was time to once again hug, pump hands and excitedly reminiscence on the good old school days, 35 years after they parted ways as young hopeful school leavers. It was a motley gathering of professionals who have made their mark in different fields and they came from far and near and even abroad.
There were doctors, lawyers, engineers, politicians, computer scientists, business men, agriculturists, media personalities and many other walks of life.
Going down memory lane, Mr. Kingsley Ojeikere from Owan West Local Council of Edo State recalled that the former military governor of Midwest State, Brig-Gen. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia came out with the brilliant idea of selecting the very best of promising students from each of the divisions as local councils were called then. After an exhaustive talent hunt following series of very competitive examinations, the exceptional children, three from each division were selected from primary four, five and six and herded to USA as the school is fondly called.
The youths were offered scholarship and kept in boarding house. Literally torn from the bosoms of their mothers in 1974 when they were only in primary four, the 82 set, spent eight grueling years toiling under the midnight candle at USA. For their untiring efforts, the school recorded 90 percent pass rate in the West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) of 1982.
At serene Agbarho, the young and upcoming innocents were to forge lifelong friendship. The flame of brotherhood still burns brightly, years after they left. The passion, the camaradiere were all on full display that night at the gathering of the tribe in the Edo state capital. At short notice, close fourty of the old boys left their families and businesses behind to put in appearance.
Looking back, all are firmly agreed that the sacrifice was worth it but regretted the lack of continuity. The dream seemed to have died with Ogbemudia the dreamer. Though religion, tribe and tongue was supposed to differ but the USA boys were supposed to solidly stand in brotherhood and soar high.
At the gathering, the cynosure of all eyes was however, Engineer Ahmed Saliu, the Managing Director of Benin- Owena River Basin Development Authority (BORBDA). From the lionization by his mates, it was obvious that he is a shining star. For setting a shining example for his mates, he was honoured with a lifetime achievement award.
A mate, Mr. Chris Erhabor said that even at a tender age, it was clear that Ahmed from Auchi, Edo state and a former governorship running mate to Mr. Emmanuel Arigbe Osula of the defunct All Nigeria People’s Party ANPP) in the 2007 election was marked for greatness. It was of little surprise when President Muhammadu Buhari picked him to head the River Basin Authority.
Ahmed confessed that he was short of words to express how he felt deep down to have been singled out for honour by his old friends who still cherish the memories of the time they share together as school boys. In fact, a million words could not express his feelings.
Grining, he said: “I feel honoured by the recognition by my friends. The feeling is indescribable. Words can’t just describe how I feel.”
All the way from the nation’s commercial capital of Lagos came Mr. Kingsley Ojeikere. He recalled that there were quality teachers and excellent facilities at USA during their times. As exceptional students, they were well catered for and were given wings to soar high.
The old boys were almost rolling on the floor with laughter when Erhabor recollected how, being the junior, they were always bullied by the senior students until they stood up to fight. Being so young and easily frightened, they were marked as the Cowards of the School and meted with all sorts of punishment.
Amidst general laughter, he said: “You should note that out of those selected from primary 4, 5 and 6, we were the youngest. While primary six meted out punishment to four and five; five vented their anger to those of of us in primary four. It was a kind of double punishment and it got to a stage that we could no longer take it and had to rebel. That was how we got our freedom from oppression.”
Echoing Ojeikere, another old boy, Erhabor bemoaned that his heart almost skipped a beat the last time he visited the school. It is a shadow of its glorious past. The government must arrest the decline and put the school back on track so that it could fulfil the vision of it founding fathers.
Erhabor said that 43 years after they started in 1974 was truly a lifetime. So many have fallen by the wayside, some died while some have managed to soared to the sky. A minute silence was observed for those who died.
The lawyer recalled: “During our days at USA, teachers were very dedicated. We were provided with almost everything that we wanted for learning unlike present day students who are confronted with many challenges. Now, we have teachers who cannot write proper lesson notes. Confronted with salary arrears and so many other challenges, the commitment is not just there anymore.”
Moved by the sorry state of the school, he said that the old boys have since set out to regain the Paradise Lost. So much of their personal fortune have been spent lately on the school.
He disclosed: “I can confidently say that not less than N15 million of our personal money has been spent in the last few years by the old boys of the school. We have to give back. We are not relenting. We are determined to bring back the good old days of USA. We have been assisting the state government and will continue to do so.”
With jet black hair when they passed out with flying colours in 1982, the grey beard of most of the tribesmen who sat and danced in the hall that memorable night, clearly demonstrated that the boys of yesterday have since turned to the men of today. It was like yesterday but the lofty height they obtained over the years is also a clear testimony of the passage of times.