CKC-AAA DJC Delegation Report, 31 December 2008

Report on the CKC Onitsha, 75th Anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) Finale

24-30 November 2008

Introduction:

  1. It should be recalled that CKC-AAA Members, Prof. Alexander D.W. Acholonu, Prof. Ntohmchukwu (NT) Izuchi and Mr. Oseloka Obaze were designated to officially represent CKC-AAA at the Christ the King College (CKC) Onitsha, 75th Anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) from 24-30 November 2008. Other CKC-AAA Members were encouraged to join the delegation. This is the report of the CKC-AAA delegation.

The Activities

  1. As planned, the grand finale of the activities marking the Christ the King College (CKC) Onitsha, 75th Anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) kicked off on Monday 24th November 2008, with a Press Conference by some membersof the CKC Old Boys National Executive Committee (NEC), led by Chief Joe Billy Ekwunife (in the absence of National President Frank Mbanefo), supported by members of NEC and some CKC Old boys. The DJC Finale theme was: “May the Fame of our College last Forever”. On Tuesday 25th November 2008, at 10.00 a.m. a NEC team comprised of Dr. Charles Anyaeji, Mr. Joseph Onugha, and Mr. Nnamdi Nwokocha [Captain of the CKC 1977 Junior World Cup Soccer Champions] took part in the television program [People in the News] at the ABS-TV (Anambra Broadcasting Service Television), Awka. National Vice President Joe Billy Ekwunife could not participate since he had to travel to Lagos to finalize other DJC-related plans.
  1. The Interactive Session between Anambra State Commissioner for Social Orientation and students of CKC Onitsha,scheduled for Wednesday 26th November 2008 did not hold as planned. Nonetheless other student’s activities for the day proceeded as planned. Also, the interactive session with disabled CKC alumnus and businessmagnet,Mr. Cosmos Okoli scheduled for Thursday 27th November 2008 was initially delayed since he did not show. However, the session was held when CKC-AAA's PRO, Dr. FrancisAsokwuSea stepped in to replace Mr. Okoli and had a lively interaction with entire student body.
  1. At 4:00pm the football match scheduled between CKC Onitsha vs. CKC Gwagwalada, Abuja, kicked off on scheduled with St. Patrick’s College, Asaba being the substitute opposing team since the Abuja team did not arrive. Along with Messrs Anowai (Enugu), Okeke (Awka), Principal AlphonsusObika, Vice-Principal(Mrs)Olisah,CKC staff and students and some spectators, Mr. Obaze of CKC-AAA, watched CKC defeat SPC 3-1.The game and the soccer potentialities displayed were superlative, even though thepitch was most unkempt and reminded one of scorched soccer pitches in war-torn countries.The CKC kids played mostly without boots and the necessary gears. Thejerseys were totally off color, yet it was an exhilarating game with theCKC students chanting familiar and nostalgic school songs. The CKC campus was appropriately all spruced up in the school colors and looking good.
  1. Events on Friday 28th November 2008 went as planned, as old boys began to arrive early toregister. The CKC-AAA delegation was advised early in the day that theymight not be able to meet Gov.Peter Obi at 2.00 pm as planned, since he had to attend the south-east forum inEnugu, but to standby to see him on short notice later that evening or thenext day. On arriving at the CKC campus, the CKC-AAA delegation spent the early hours installing the twoCKC-AAA plaques at the gate and next to the Peter Odili plaque on Block D, afterformally presenting the plaques to School Principal Obika. Dr. Charles Anyaeji joined Prof. Acholonu and Mr. Obaze to supervise the installations. Thereafter, theCKC-AAA Diamond Jubilee Bannerwas hung in the Peter Odili Hall and the delegation formally handed the 1,000 lapel pins produced by CKC-AAAA for the DJC to Dr. Anyaeji.
  1. The interactive session between CKC-AAA delegation and the students took place in the afternoon on the Lower Assembly Lawn.For the event, the CKC-AAA delegation was joined by twoother CKC-AAA executives, Dr.Francis Sea, Dr. Kingsley Nwosu and Mr. Zeribe Ezeanuna.The interactive session was a great outing with theentire student body, staff, and many other old boys. It lasted a full 2 hours,during which we all spoke, following initial remarks by Dr. Anyaeji andPrincipal Obika. The interactive session was exactly what we had hoped for - insightful and motivational – and hopefully, it engaged the students sufficiently to inspire them to greater heights.The session was followed by a brief reception by theschool principal;thereafter, the old boys were treated to a concert by the students on theplace of morality in our lives.
  1. The D-Day, Saturday 29th November 2008, arrived to great expectations and turned out to be a very joyous and convivial day. The old boys’ reunion was memorable, even though many other events intruded, causing conflict of interest for many prospective participants. Nonetheless, a broad generational range of CKC alumni from the 30s, to the 90s and even more recent graduates were well represented. H. E. Gov. Obi did not attend the finale, but was ably represented by Hon. Eze Echesi, himself an eminent alumnus. The Asagba of Asaba HRH Chike Edozien chaired the occasion. Prof. Pat Utomi and Prof. Linus Ajabor respectively delivered the keynote addresses.Several other traditional rulers and Chief Chike Ofodile, Onowu of Onitsha were also present as were, Monsignor Aghaizu and Principal Emeritus, Fr. N.C. Tagbo. Similarly, former principal Elias Umeh was also in attendance. [Former Principal Nzemeka Olisah attended the event the day before]
  1. Almost expectedly (but due to environmental sanitation) the DJC main event kicked off late. But once it started, CKC campus was vibrant and awash with the school colors. Attendees went through the program rather slowly, but got through it all in good shape. First, there was the planting of two Diamond Jubilee Trees (Canary Island PerennialPine) by Monsignor Aghaizu and Fr. Tagbo. This was followed by the formal speeches and remarks by the chairman and guest of honor and the keynote addresses. Before lunch, the Asagba and Gov. Obi's representatives,accompanied by the media and many eminent old boysunveiled the two CKC-AAA plaques. (Incidentally, there was a slight dispute as to whether this was the Diamond or Platinum Jubilee), which,however, did not douse the appreciation and day-long tributes to CKC-AAA for its proactive role and for energizing others to get involved.
  1. Following the unveilings, Block E, which was finally completed by the Enugu Branch (they also laid the foundation, but the PTA, CKC-AAA, LagosBranch and others chipped in to raise it to 2 storey), was formally handed to the school after its opening. Surprisingly, Enugu Branch had placed a plaque at the building entrance, by which they claimed sole responsibility for its construction, (i.e. "Donated by the Enugu Branch"). Mr. Obaze quickly took the floor and told V-P Ekwunife, Chief Omesu (President Enugu Branch) and all others present, on record, that the plaque misrepresented facts and history. Chief Ekwunife publicly acknowledged that CKC-AAA was right. It was agreed thereon, that the plaque would be replaced or modified to include other contributors, i.e., PTA, CKC-AAA and Lagos Branch.
  1. Thereafter, the DiamondJubilee Meritorious Awards were handed out. CKC-AAA awardees were, Messrs Alexander Acholonu, Cyril Enwonwu, Larry Ozoh, Fidelis Atuegbu, Emeka Uzoh and Oseloka Obaze. Chief EPO Ofodile, of CKC-AAA, Georgia Chapter, also got an award via his initial membership of the Awka Branch. Regrettably, NEC decided not to give any sports award. Hence, none of the CKC-AAA nominees in the sports category was honored. Neither wasany sportsman specifically honored.
  1. As directed, during the event, Mr. Obaze procured 100 copies of the Brochure at N100,000 for CKC-AAA. There were other souvenirs, but all rather bulky for procurement and shipment to the U.S.The day ended with the student band and Atilogwu dance group serenading the guests at the school entrance and grounds. The colorful events were photographically documented.
  1. The DJC Finale Mass was celebrated in the Peter Odili Hall by His Grace, theMost Rt. Rev. Valerian M. Okeke, (CKC Class of ’73) and the Archbishop of Onitsha. He was assisted by Fr. BasilEkwunife, and two other priests. It was well attended by old boys, who were stillin town, their guests and students and staff of CKC.The Homily was as energizing as it was uplifting. ArchbishopOkeke without proddingbased his homily on the true meaning of a Jubilee and traced its origin back to the early Catholic Church and Empires, while highlighting the differences between the Christian Jubilee celebrated every 25 years andthe Secular Jubilee that is denominated in decades. The Diamond Jubilee or 75th Anniversary of CKC, he said, was like an ancient rite of reconciliation, reunion, renewal, liberty andreaffirmation.
  2. Archbishop Okeke pressed on the attendees to recommit to the CKC motto and ideals and charged the college principal and teachers (whom he later met with for about 30-40 minutes) to rededicate themselves to the virtue of goodness,instillingdisciplineand impacting knowledgeto the students. He urged the students to emulate the older CKC alumni and said that he envisaged the return of school to the mission soon, but didnot specify when. At the end, the CKC old boys present had an opportunity for a group photograph with Archbishop Okeke, followed by a brief reception during which, the old boys offered theirappreciation and presented him with a purse. It was alsoresolved, when the CKC-AAA delegation pressed for it, that the College Principal Obika should delivera thank youpurse from the CKC old boys to Principal Emeritus, N.C. Tagbo.
  1. On the margins of the events, the CKC-AAA delegation had an opportunity to engage Archbishop Okeke about the possibility of speaking at theCKC-AAA Chicago Convention on 10-12 July 2009, which Prof. NT Izuchi had broached with him one year earlier. He accepted, in principle, and asked CKC-AAA to send an invitation letter to him.
  1. On Monday 1 December, Mr. Obaze spent several hours with Principal Obika, inspecting and cataloging all possible future projects on the CKC campus, so that they would be readily available for Branches or old boys that may wish to fund them, and to ensure that there is no duplication or commingling of project funds. Later in the day, Mr. Obaze traveled to Awka, in a last ditch effort to see Gov. Peter Obi and deliver the original copy of President Onua's letter, of which the governor already had the electronic copy.Again, given the Governor’s prior commitments, Obaze was not able to see him, but did deliver the letter to his office.

OBSERVATIONS/COMMENTS:

  1. The Christ the King College (CKC) Onitsha, 75th Anniversary/Diamond Jubilee Celebrations (DJC) has come and gone to great acclamation. It is now a matter for the records and would remain so, until the Centenary Anniversary Celebration in 2033. Nonetheless, the various challenges that confront the school and hence, preoccupy CKC alumni remain. Undoubtedly, great effortswent into putting the DJC together and tribute should go to all who wereinvolved, notably, President-General Frank Mbanefo, Vice-President Joe Billy Ekwunife, Dr. Charles Anyaeji, NEC ChairmanAd-Interim, Members of the DJC Steering Committee, Principal Obika, who dove into affairs just after month on the job and the various focal points of the respective CKC-OBA Branches.Special praise is due especially to Dr. Charles Anyaeji and the NEC/Steering Committee for pulling the DJC off, despite the numerous challenges and the notable absence of the President Mbanefo and Vice-President Joe Billy Ekwunife during the critical finalization stage. They deserve our deep appreciation.
  1. Attendance for a seminal event like the DJC could have been better, but it would be a hard sell to bemoan asituation, where it is uncertain whether the less than expected showing was dueto inertia, disinterest or not being aware of the celebrations. Understandably, the Abuja Branch had only oneattendee, Dr. Chike Ezeudeh, since theAbuja Branch President’s daughter wedded, and there were also funerals for two old boys that weekend.It was regrettable that due to time constrain and pressure of beginning the awards while the chair person was still available, the goodwill messageof President-General Frank Mbanefo was never read out on the floor, although itwas presented.
  1. Much work went into beautifying and rehabilitating the CKC Campus in readiness for the DJC. CKC-AAA and other Alumni Branches must seize on the present opportunity to underline adherence to a strict maintenance culture at CKC. This may include defined dates for repainting and refurbishing school structures. Whether the school is returned to the Mission or not, the commitment of the CKC alumni to the school can never be a one off event; it is an ongoing process that should be passed from generation to generation. In this context, the incident where the funding for school “Block E” was not fully reflected, further underlines the need for all rehabilitation projects on the CKC Campus to go through NEC/NAPOC.
  1. The above account represents a synoptic rendition of events and related activities marking the CKC Onitsha 75th Anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) Finale, as witnessed by the CKC-AAA official delegation to that event.
  1. It was, indeed and honor for Prof. Alexander Acholonu, Prof. NT Izuchi and Mr. Oseloka Obaze to have been asked to represent CKC-AAA. May the Fame of our College Last Forever!Primus Inter Pares!! [End]

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