The Old Boys association of Government Secondary School Owerri 2000-2006 set on Thursday 28th October, 2021 put a smile on the faces of the students through their biennial students mentorship conference. The mentorship conference is said to serve as thought partner for students on their academic journey and helps to empower students to become independent learners and agents of their own change. The students mentorship conference was competitive as essay competition themed “Education in the Covid 19 era and the role of ICT” for senior secondary school students with a grand price of #300,000 to be shared among the winners and #100,000 compensating prize to be shared among the 1st and the 2nd runners up and other performance prizes were won.
The chairman of the Association, Adrain Chukwuemeka Nwokeji in his speech said “the mentorship conference was introduced in 2018 and we promised it will be a biennial event but due to Covid 19 outbreak last year, we had to bring it forward to 2021 and make it competitive with many prizes to be won.”
Continuing, he said “when our parents brought us to this noble school 21 years ago, they believed that many years after we will be in a country filled with opportunities, they believed that we will be leaders of tomorrow, they believed in the Nigerian dream but it is sad to say that the Nigerian dream today is to leave Nigeria, and our aim is to collectively enlighten the young world to keep their feet on the ground and keep reaching for the sky no matter what life throws at them.”
According to him, “we weren’t really informed how difficult it is to be an adult especially in this harsh society of ours, but together we can prepare our younger brothers that it is a cold world out there while we still hope for the best. And this life is in phases. It is important to note that each phase prepares you for the next phase hence it is important not to take any phase for granted.”
The Executive Secretary of Secondary Education Board, Owerri, Dr Mrs Adugo Nwanebo while appreciating the old boys association for remembering the school urged all to key in to what they are doing to continue from where the government stopped, to promote education and competition. She also adviced the students to extend the gesture to the younger ones as they leave school.
The Principal of the senior section of the school, Rev. Jamike Ekeh thanked the old boys for what they are doing for the school which is lifting the standard of the school and promised that he will continue to do everything possible to make sure the school becomes the best public school in Nigerian.
The committee’s PRO of the Students mentorship conference Mr. Chiemeka Chimuanya said that the program was to spur and motivate the students to keep soaring higher to achieve greatness in academics and their life endeavours because government college is known for excellence and we also want them to have self confidence and boldness to carry themselves to achieve that. He urged them to keep doing their best spiritually, physically, mentally and above all academically to make their parents, the school, themselves and the society proud. He also wished them the best in their future careers and life endeavours.
One of the beneficiaries of the awards, Ononiwu Obinna Kingsley an SS3 students of the school appreciated the old boys for giving him the award as one of the best in essay writing which has been his target since his junior classes. He also thanked the old boys for what they are doing in their school both to the individual students and in the school premises and also happy for the school which is the 2nd best public school in Nigerian and best in Imo State.He promised that they will keep making it the best.
The highlight of the event includes; talk by Dr. Uche Iheanacho on “optometry as a course of study and as a profession” by MD/ CEO Crystal Eye care, Debate by ES International an NGO on ICT, the only way forward for education in the Covid 19 era, pop quizzes on ICT for students in the audience, award presentations for best SS1, SS2, and SS3 teachers, winners of essay competition in SS1, SS2, and SS3 and runners up, talk by Mr. Walter Ilonuba on Entrepreneurship, talk by Mr. Okere Chijioke on choosing a career path, Drama presentation, cultural dance etc.
The event also was graced by dignitaries from different works of life.
