The Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association (GCUOBA) on Saturday held its sixth annual National Annual Dinner at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The event which was chaired by Dr. Christopher Kolade had in attendance eminent personalities from all walks of life who had passed through the institution.
Speaking at the event, the Host Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, also a proud alumnus of Federal Government College, Warri, said the old boys should be more committed to the development of the school.
Ambode, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Idiat Adebule, said that due to the dwindling resources and competing needs, government was increasingly finding it difficult to provide all that was required in public schools.
”I strongly believe that we owe it a duty to give back to the institution which contributed to the success that we have achieved in life.
”This is the whole essence of old students association, apart from providing a platform to reconnect, network and share experiences,” he said.
The governor noted that the school played a major role in the success witnessed so far in the chosen careers of the old students and it was natural for them to give back to the school in whatever way they can.
”Whatever we have achieved today could be attributed to the solid foundation and exposure we were given by the college.
The Governor said that the state had started to effectively integrate Information and Communications Technology (ICT), in its education system.
”This is extremely important if we desire to raise a generation that can hold their space in the rapidly changing and competitive global system driven by knowledge and technology,” he said,
Also in his address, the chairman, Dr Christoper Kolade urged Nigerians to play custodian roles in their dealings to promote maintenance culture.
”We live in a nation where our maintenance culture is very poor and if we all can play our custodian role, promote standard and values, then this country will be a better place, ” he said.
Kolade, a former teacher at GCU (1955 to 1957) said he was delighted to meet his old students who are now catching up with him in age.
”I came here today to catch up with the boys I taught in class and I’m proud of what I see and what they have been doing to assist government in refurbishing and maintaining the school, ” he said.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Chris Uwaje, said government at all levels and leaders of academic institutions should be passionate about education and teaching responsibility, especially ICT in education.
Uwaje said there was the need to effectively use ICT to enhance the quality of education and deliver the promise of the knowledge revolution.
According to him, information and communications technology (ICT) is essential in sustaining education, innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership and wealth creation.
”I recommend that to ensure the sustainability of the future of education in Nigeria, coding class for software programming skill acquisition should be introduced and made mandatory for students, ” he said.
In his remarks, Prof. Oritsegbemi Omatete, President General Worldwide of GCUOBA, said that the event was a way of giving back to the school that gave them excellent education.
” We realised that excellent education is expensive and with the explosion in the number of secondary schools, government alone cannot finance quality education.
TheNewsGuru.com reports that the college was established in 19495.
Amongst eminent personalities that graced the dinner are; the Group Managing Editor of TheNewsGuru.com, Mr. Jewell Dafinone (class of 1965); Chairman of Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, PACAC, Prof. Itse Sagay (class of 1959); Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Arik Air, Michael Arumemi-Ikhide (class of 1963) Publisher, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Sam Amuka; Prof. Pat Utomi; the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Imohimi Edgar whose father was also a former principal of the school.
Others are Col. (rtd) David Binitie (Class of 1965) President of Lagos branch; Col. (rtd) Rolly Nosa Emokpae (Class of 1964) President North America branch; Mr. Femi Agoro (Class of 1964); Mr. Chris Enase (Class of 1964) Head of School; Mr. L. Binitie-Cassidy (Class of 1964); Mr. S. Oputa (Class of 1962); Mr. Andy Ohiwerei (Class of 1964); Capt. Evuarherhe (Class of 1963); Capt. Gabriel Agbro (Class of 1963); Dr. Stev Oru (Class of 1962); Dr. Alex Thomopolos (Class of 1960); Mr. Mac Emakpore (Class of 1960) and other notable guests.
The highlight of the event was the donation of funds and presentation of awards to deserving old boys who had contributed in no small measure to the maintenance and upgrade of the school.