GSS Otukpo at 50: Senator Akume offsets WAEC fees paid by current students

GSS Otukpo at 50: Akume, Abounu, Moro, Onum, Ochoche,  Yusuf, Edeh and other distinguished and eminent personalities including professors, captains of industries  stormed their alma mater to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of GSS Otukpo.

GSS Otukpo was established on 15th May 1967 by the defunct Benue-Plateau State Government. It was first sited at Otobi (15 kms) away from Otukpo with an off-take of 42 students and 2 teachers. The first Principal of the school was said to be Mr. M. Olaniyan, who most old boys of the early generation described as  an amiable gentleman who never compromised students’ welfare. While the second principal was Mr Aper Aku of blessed memory who was the first civilian Governor of Benue State.

No doubt it was a beautiful reunion for old boys at the weekend as the School marked its 50 years of existence with the theme “Honouring the Past to Ignite the Future”. The event also featured a novelty football match, public lecture, launch of GSS endowment fund, tree planting, traditional dance and debate between the students.

The event offered old boys of the school an opportunity to reunite, reflect and discuss the way forward for their alma mata.  The three-day event kicked-started on Thursday with a novelty football match between GSS Old Boys and  the George Alli-led Otukpo Local Government Council.  The match ended 2-2 necessitating penalty shoot out with the Old Boys winning by 5 goals to 4 and the trophies presented to the 2 teams.

Unknown to many, the school has churned out who is who in the society, some of  whom are professionals, politicians, legal luminaries captains of industry. Some of the Old boys who witnessed the golden jubilee include the former Benue State Governor now a Distinguished senator of the Federal Republic, George Akume, Prof Ejembi Michael Onobi, Justice Adam Onum-Chief Judge of Benue State, Prof Sunday Ochoche and his wife, Dr Yusuf Musa, SAN, Prof Igbana Ajir, Prof Elvis Ihaji, Barr Paul Edeh as well as other notable old boys from the 1971-2017 sets of the School.  Comrade Abba Moro the former Minister of Interior was also in attendance.

Delivering the Jubilee Lecture, Prof Sunday Ochoche, who is the Executive Secretary Victim Support Fund, recounted the glory days of the School, reeling out the accomplishments and the calibre of personalities the school has produced. He however berated the current state of the school with the infrastructural decay needing urgent intervention.

Also, another key not speaker, Dr JY Musa SAN, also and old boy of the school, while addressing  the audience  on the third day, decried the sorry state of the school noting that at its current state, non of the Old Boys will be proud to bring their children to the School. He called on all old boys who have means,  to rise to the occasion to rebuild the ruins of the school.   Addressing Senator George Akume directly, the learnered silk urged him to rise up like Nehemiah did as a one man army to champion the renovations not necessarily through his personal funds but through his influence.

Speaking at the event, Distinguished Senator Akume expressed joy at the new vigor and expressed hope and his desire to work towards getting the school back on track.

Also speaking during the star-studded event, the Executive Governor of the State Dr Samuel Ortom represented by the Deputy Governor Engr. Benson Abounu described the school as a citadel of knowledge, having produced who is who in the society.  Engr. Benson Abounu, also disclosed that the state government would do everything within its purview to restore the lost glory of the school.  The Deputy Governor received a standing ovation when he granted a prior request made by Justice Adam Onum on behalf of the old boys that the name of the school be reverted to its original name Government Secondary School from Government Model Secondary School. He affirmed that since it was the wish of both old and present students for the change of name, ‘so be it.’

On his part, Senator Akume, while recalling his days as a student in the school, noted that GSS Otukpo used to be a centre of unity for students across the country. Akume pleaded with the state government to bring back the lost glory of the school, this glory he said,  united many people from across the country.

At the occasion, Comrade Abba Moro, a special guest who also spoke, noted that the role of old boys in the development of their alma mata cannot be overemphasized. He congratulated the old boys and promised to contribute to the renovation of the school by picking an item within his capacity which he will complete.

Similarly, Ambassador Dickson Akoh, Founder, Peace Corps of Nigeria, who was represented at the occasion pledged to contribute to the renovation of the school.

The high point of the event was the election of Barr Paul Edeh as Chairman of the old boys Association amongst other vibrant elected Executive members. Speaking shortly after his election, Barr Paul promised to pilot the affairs of the Association with humility and integrity.