▪️By Onyebuchi Agu
It is always a thing of joy and a moment to behold when a set of people who have stayed together and have not seen each other for a long time come together again for an event.
The Old Boys in a group photograph in front of the church after Mass
Usually referred to as Homecoming you can always see in their faces that joy, with each other hugging and embracing one another amidst series of questions about the wellbeing of the members.
This was what played out on the last day, last week last month, last year, 2022, when the pioneer set of the Boys’ High School Ozalla (1977-1982) converged on Ozalla town, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu state to mark their 40 years of graduation anniversary.
L-R: Ozoemena Ujam, MHR Nnoli Nnaji and Barr Chukwu
The event which began with a concelebrated Holy Mass at St Paul’s Catholic Parish Ozalla attracted quite a good number of the class of 1982.
Conducting the Mass, the parish priest, the Rev. Fr. Barrister Dennis Eze commended the Old Boys for remembering that they were once together as members of one family in pursuit of academic excellence.
The Rev, Fr. Eze who implored them to keep up the good spirit “as this would go a long way to deepen their relationship both at home and in diaspora”, called for the unity among them assuring them that he would continue to identify with their wishes and aspirations whether as the parish priest of saint Paul’s Ozalla or not.
The only lesson of the Mass was read by one of the Old Boys of the school, Dr Alex Chidi Ozochi.
Done with the first phase of the activities of the day at St. Paul’s Parish Ozalla, they proceeded to the Home of the Elderly also known as the Old People’s Home located at Awkunanaw, a densely populated area of Enugu very close to St Paul’s Catholic church Awkunanaw.
Cutting of anniversary cake
On hand to receive the visitors were the Rev. Sister incharge of the Home, Catherine Ann and two representatives of the inmates.
Presenting the gift items they came with which included but not limited bags of rice and cartons of noodles, the Chairman of the pioneer class of Boys’ High School Ozalla Old Boys’ Association, Elder Alex Ozochi appealed to the inmates to accept the items as a tokens of their love assuring that as much as possible they will continue to render assistance.
He commended the keepers of the Home for taking the pains of caring for the inmates.
One of the representatives of the inmates, Mrs Elizabeth Ilechukwu, who received the items, apologized for the low turn out their members saying that the period coincided with their time for siesta.
Mrs Ilechukwu who was apparently excited at the visit and the gift items presented to them prayed God to continue to guide and protect the Old Boys in all their endeavours.
L-R: Ozoemena Ujam and Engr Anselm Ezeabasili
On their part she assured that the inmates would continue to remember them in prayers as that is one of the prime occupations of the members.
She did not forget to inform the visitors that they were being well taken care of by the Little Sisters of the Poor who are managing the Home.
From the Old People’s Home, action moved back to Boys’ High School Ozalla their venue for grand reception.
It was quite a grandiose gathering as notable personalities graced the occasion.
In an exclusive chat with GMTNews correspondent at the event, the Member representing Nkanu East/West Federal Constituency, Hon Nnoli Nnaji called on Nigerians to live in peace with one another especially now that another election cycle is around the corner.
R-L: Prof Ken Agu, Barr Gab Chukwu, Chukwuemeka Nnaji and Ozo Joe Nfiaji
Hon. Nnaji, a first time House Member and Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Aviation noted that “if we conduct our selves peacefully during the coming elections, apart from electing credible leaders, Nigeria would occupy a pride of place in the committee of nations”.
Nnoli Nnaji who himself is also an Old Boy of BHSO and have sponsored several projects in the school, poured encomium on the pioneer set for organizing such an historic event. “The Association’s celebration is well deserved taking cognisance of their scintillating milestone achievements in different facets of life. The pioneers’ initiatives and financial contributions to the school have been of immense value which brought the school to the standard that it enjoys presently.
“I share so much with Boys’ High School Ozalla as a prestigious school where I had my earlier academic years of study and have also contributed immeasurably towards the structural and academic development of the school”, he said.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Chairman of the Class of ’82, Chief Ozoemena Kevin Ujam, expressed delight in the grace of being alive and meeting again after 40 years of graduating from the school.
Ujam who commended the team of organizers of the event said that some members of their class have attained the peak of their chosen career.
MHR Nnoli Nnaji (middle), C/man organizing team Dr. Enewannaji, Cmrd Akaeme (near left) and Chris Arum (near right)
“We would have afforded the cost of hosting this event in any of the 5 star hotels in Enugu metropolis, but it became our consensus opinion that we get back to base – where our moulding journey both in character and learning started 45 years ago (the school having been established in the year 1977).
“Today is very important as it provides an opportunity for many of us to meet with each other again, after 40 years of going our separate ways in search of greener pastures. It has also afforded us a platform to see some of our younger colleagues who are here today to felicitate with us. It also helps us to evaluate the various changes which the school and ourselves have gone through in the past 45 years.
“I feel proud to state that among the Class of 82 of Boys High School Ozalla (now Ozalla High School) are today notable personalities in various fields both at home and in diaspora. We have architects, advocates, medical doctor, teachers, engineers, financial managers, administrators and professors in many areas – some of who are seated here today.
Group photo with inmates of the Home for the Elderly Awkunanaw
“We are also mindful that many that started the journey with us have gone to rest with the Lord. We pray for the continued repose of their souls.
“I must commend the great mobilizer, an encyclopaedia and archivist we have among us – Chief Christopher Arum (popularly known as Aka O). He has been doing some good jobs in mobilization and information updates about our set members. If you are looking for any of the elders as the pioneer set members are fondly called, ask Aka O and you will never regret you did. Dr. James Enewannaji and his Planning Committee members, we appreciate you for making every necessary arrangement and providing the conducive environment we are enjoying today”, he concluded.
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Engr Anselm Kosi Ezeabasili, son of the pioneer Principal of the school, late Chief Nwankwo Ezeabasili, in a brief remark while congratulating the pioneer students of the school for such a wonderful reunion event, urged other old students’ associations to emulate the good gesture of the ’82 set and give back to the society especially their Alma Mater.
The event featured a scholarly Keynote lecture titled: Soaring Above The Clouds: The Pioneer Set 40 Years After by a member of the Class, Prof. Shalom Chinedu Nwodo.
In a message he sent to the pioneers, the President General of the Old Students’ parent body, Boys’ High School Ozalla Old Boys’ Association, Mazi Obiora Nweke, commended them for pulling off such a huge but memorable event and tasked all the members of the Class of ’82 to show more commitment to the general body of the Old Boys’ Association.
R-L: Ozo Nfiaji, Chijioke Ogbodo (guest), Chief Steve Okolo and C/Man Ujam
Other personalities who attended the occasion include the Methodist Bishop of Nnewi Diocese Very Rev. Emmanuel C. Nnaji, a former member of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. USA Igwesi, former Chief Press Secretary to former Governors of Enugu State Hon. Dan Nwomeh, Vice Principal Comrade Simeon Akaeme who represented the school principal among others. GMTNews
