Govt Functionaries Grace OGSSIAN Student Mentorship Conference

Story & Pictures By BERACHAH UCHENNA NWACHUKWU.

The much awaited Students Mentorship Conference (SMC), of the Old Boys of Government Secondary School Owerri (OGSSIAN) eventually held last Thursday, October 28, with top government functionaries in attendance.

Those who attended included the Special Adviser to the Imo State Government on Public Safety, Honourable Ugochukwu Nzekwu, as well as the Executive Secretary, Secondary Education Management Board (SEMB) Dr. Mrs. Adaugo Teclar Nwanebu.

In her speech, the Special Adviser urged teachers of the school not to relent in the good works they were doing, but to seek to upgrade their competences by getting acquainted with latest technology, and also by attending seminars.

Mrs Nwanebu appreciated the Old Boys for encouraging the students to aspire for excellence in their studies, urging them not to sustain the tempo.

The programme which held under the auspices of the 2000-2006 set also featured an essay competition as an innovation, and the topic for the senior category was: “Education in the Covid-19 era and the role of ICT’

Obinna Stanley, an SSS 3 eventually emerged the first prize winner in the category and got a cash prize of N100, 000, while the second place winner,  Akintola Tolu (SSS 3) was given N80, 000.

An elated Stanley returned great gratitude to his parents saying they encouraged him to be focused and also provided the necessary resources to enable him soar.

 Stanley also thanked his teachers and the old boys, for the gesture promising not to relent in his studies.

Speaking, Tolu thanked the event organisers, his teachers and his parents, describing  GSSO as the best secondary school in the country.

Earlier in a welcome address, the National Chairman of the 2000-2006 set,  Hon. Chukwuemeka Adrian Nwokeji had advised the students against taking any stage in life for granted.

Calculated decision making, he said would help to prepared them better as they advance.

In his Introductory remark, the Principal, SSS arm of the school, Rev Jamike Eke had thanked the OGSSIANS for motivating the students, saying this has led to the SSS arm being recognised as the 2nd Best SSS in Nigeria whilst maintaining an unreachable 1st in Imo State.

He also acknowledged his colleague, the Principal of the JSS arm, Mr. Okwara Mba, whom he said had put in years of meritorious service,  helping in grooming the students.

Our corespondent learnt that Mr Mba, the Maths teacher, has had a 15 year history organising the association.

 OGSSIAN Dr. I he Iheanacho, the MD/CEO of Crystal Eye Care Akure, Ondo State, gave a career talk on Optometry, highlighting its attributes as a course of study and as a profession.

The debate session titled, Ict’,The Only Way Forward For Education In The Covid-19 Era, and coordinated by ES International (NGO)  was won by the opposing side led by Gabriel Chibuike with 251 marks.

The Eagle News understands that the SMC, in organising the event, aims it to serve as a thought pattern for students on their academic journey and help to empower them to become autonomous learners.

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The event was rapped up with a vote of thanks by the chairman of the Organising Committee OGSSIAN, (Honourable) Chile Amaefule, followed by  the rendition of the school adage “setting the pace”.