Uzuakoli Methodist College Old Boys Association marks school’s centenary

…Says no member who served society has been indicted of corruption

From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia

Photo

UMCOBA National President, Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor (Middle) flanked by other members of the association. To his left is Archbishop Chobuzo Raphael Opoko

 As the alumni of Methodist College, Uzuakoli, under the aegis of Uzuakoli Methodist College Old Boys Association (UMCOBA) file out this weekend to celebrate the Centenary of the institution that pioneered secondary school education in the entire South East of Nigeria, the group has commended her members who have served the country in various capacities without being indicted of corruption.

 According to the leadership of UMCOBA, the clean slate of her members who have served society in several capacities without blemish is attributable to the high standard of discipline the school inculcated in her students.

 National President of UMCOBA, Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor, told Journalists in Umuahia during a news briefing on Tuesday that the Old Boys werevery proud of their members and would plant trees, hold a lecture and a Thanksgiving Service this Saturday and Sunday, respectively, to mark the 100 years of secondary education in South East of Nigeria and the existence of Methodist College, Uzuakoli, established by missionaries in 1923.

 “The Methodist Church, in 1923, launched an ambitious mission of establishing a secondary school and this initiative marked the beginning of secondary school education in the South East of Nigeria and the birth of Methodist College Uzuakoli,” the UMCOBA President said. 

 Mazi Okoroafor noted that in the past 100 years, the school has produced eminent Nigerians scattered across the globe, making positive impacts on humanity through their invaluable services.

 “In the past one hundred years, secondary school education in the South East of Nigeria has helped to bring development and enlightenment. It has built up a Rolodex of eminent personalities and achievements. We are very proud of our antecedents and we are hopeful that the next century will bring even more blessings and glory to our society through the activities of the products of Methodist College Uzuakoli…

 “The great Michael Okpara, was a product of the College, and so were Udo Udoma, Edwin Ogbu, Clement Isong, Anaezi Okoro, the famous novelist, O.C. Nwana, Bob Ogbuagu, the Opokos, the Achinivus, the Ogans, the Nnamanis the Onokalas, Rufus Obi, the renowned Pharmacist, Justus O. Paul, Reginald Abbey Hart and many more,” he said. 

 An elated Okoroafor who is the Special Adviser to Abia State Governor on Monitoring and Evaluation, added: “Among the relatively young alumni, we have those who have distinguished themselves in science, Medicine, military, arts, business, politics and more. Our alumni are found in all parts of the globe, making contributions to the societies in which they find themselves. 

“We are also happy to observe that in the Dr Alex Otti team that is helping to restore Abia State, at least, seven members were students of Methodist College Uzuakoli. It is our conviction that the Uzumeco (Uzuakoli Methodist College) philosophy will continue to guide them as they serve the state.” 

 Announcing the programme of events for the Centenary celebration, the UMCOBA National President said it would commence with a Homecoming event this weekend, to be followed by a Lecture on Saturday and a church service on Sunday. “The highlight of the weekend will be the planting of the Centenary tree by His Excellency, the Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, OFR.,” he added

 “Another major centenary event will be the participation of Methodist College Uzuakoli Old Boy: Association (UMCOBA), in the Ila Oso Uzuakoli, the biennial cultural festival for which the town of Uzuakoli is renowned. It will mark the first time an institution is participating in Ila Oso. The event will be on the 23rd of December this year when the finale of the Ila Oso Uzuakoli festival will take place. It will be a great opportunity for all stakeholders in the Methodist College adventure, to thank the people of Uzuakoli, for being such wonderful landlords and hosts,” Mazi Okoroafor said. 

 Contributing, the Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia, His Grace, Archbishop Chibuzo Raphael Opoko, said Methodist College, Uzuakoli was known for high standard of discipline and imbibed same in her students.

 “We are here because of Methodist College, Uzuakoli and the products. We are blessed because all these years, we have never found any Old Boys of Methodist College, Uzuakoli, that held an outstanding position in society that has been indicted by any court or government. They have served as Central Bank Governor, Ministers or that they have served and served out credibly, impeccably and they left legacies of honour, truth and honesty and that is what Methodist College, Uzuakoli is all about,” Archbishop Opoko said.