Protocol,

It is with a huge sense of gratitude that I welcome everyone to the debut handing-over ceremony of Oghareki Grammar School Old Students’ Association (OGSOSA). As we all know, this ceremony is meant to usher in a new crop of leaders who will pilot the affairs of the association as we continue in our progressive march towards building a truly formidable old students’ association.

It is on this note that I sincerely thank the Almighty God for the privilege accorded us to conceive this noble association, nurture it to its current status, and importantly, gather here today to devise a clearer roadmap toward actualising our key objectives. May I also seize this opportunity to immensely thank all members of the association for finding me worthy to serve as the first substantive President of the rebranded OGSOSA and for all their supportive roles throughout the period of my service as OGSOSA President, a well-cherished position that has added another feather to my cap. I am also grateful to all team members who served alongside me in the outgoing administration. Thanks for being at your best in the last couple of months. I won’t fail to mention my dear friends, Osayi and others who nominated me for the position of OGSOSA President.

Unequivocally, I have the requisite knowledge and experience to lead an association of this eminence. Without boring this distinguished audience, I would like to inform us that I am a teacher by profession. I first obtained a National Certificate in Education (NCE) degree at College of Education, Ekiadolor before proceeding to the university for my BSc (Ed), MBA, M.Ed. and ultimately PhD degrees. I have worked as a primary school teacher, Executive Secretary of Ethiope West Local Education Authority, Secretary of the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board, Member of DBS, Warri Board of Directors, DESOPADEC Commissioner, Member of the Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku Governing Council, Second Member of the Delta State Post Primary Education Board, and currently the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Education Matters. I am also a Director at the State Universal Basic Education Board. As a social being, I have also served as President of the Rotary Club of Asaba, and President-General of the Oghara Elite Forum. Also, in 2014 I was honoured with a chieftaincy title by the Ovie of Oghara as the Ame (water) of Oghara Kingdom. I am also a widely traveled man.

All these positions and many others, no doubts, prepared me for the office of the OGSOSA President, but the sudden death of my younger brother made it very difficult for me to follow up on my desires for the association. This was further exacerbated by the short duration given to our administration. I recalled that our delay in responding to OGSOSA issues due to my bereavement resulted in heated arguments which made Chief Williams Makinde, Engr. Lucky Okpewa and other OGSOSA members to withdraw from the association. This development was both unfortunate and unnecessary, but I am sure we have placed it behind us now.

When we formally started this journey in 2021, it seemed like a mission impossible. There were many issues to contend with at the same time; the challenges were so overwhelming and crushing that they almost questioned the foundation of OGSOSA. Nevertheless, I am very elated to see that as the days rolled by, we were able to draw from our inner strength and leverage the time-tested leadership skills acquired in the course of life to surmount each and every challenge that raised its head against us.

When we came on board, we set out a number of goals to collectively pursue, and these goals bordered on the welfare of our members and the growth of our Alma Mata. Specifically, my administration was driven by the following under-listed issues which I shared as a suggestion to all OGSOSA members:

1. We should determine which of the schools we are adopting as our alma mater.
2. Identify a pet project to kick-start our activities, no matter how small such project may be.
3. Institute an award for the best students in each of the key subjects to be identified and the awards ceremony should be on the AGM/convention day.
4. Identify exceptionally talented but indigent students in the areas of science and art for the award of scholarships.
5. Institute a best teacher’s award and sundry other awards to promote staff excellence.
6. We should move to set up a constitution drafting committee to propose a suitable constitution for OGSOSA.
7. Let us open an account where the Association’s fund will be deposited.
8. Complete the registration of OGSOSA with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
8. Develop a standard website where members of OGSOSA in diaspora can link up with activities of the Association.

With a sense of modesty, I can say that as a team, we pursued some of these objectives within the limit of time and resources. For instance, we successfully initiated and completed the formal registration of OGSOSA with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in 2021. To God’s eternal glory, all relevant documents for the registration have been obtained by our association. My administration also saw to the finalisation of the OGSOSA constitution and initiated the opening of an official bank account for the association (although the process has been stalled due to some circumstances that I cannot explain). Also, we bought and presented a power generating set for the school’s NYSC residential quarters and reconnected the school to public power supply. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, we presented facemasks to staff and students to enable them stay safe. We also presented lesson notes and writing materials to teachers to aid them in discharging their duties.

Furthermore, we supported our members and former teachers in a number of ways. During the last one year, we intensified efforts to unite our members and strengthen our collective resolve to build a well-coordinated old students’ association for our Alma Mata. This is a mandate we have religiously pursued in the last few months despite the turbulences and short duration within which our administration functioned. In 2021, I also led members of OGSOSA to the funeral of one of our teachers, late Mr. Ogueh (our P.K. teacher) where we donated the sum of N300,000 to the family. We also attended several other burial and marriage ceremonies of which members who attended were well entertained.

It is easy to tell that the time given to us was short, too short to achieve everything we desired for OGSOSA. It was a natural expectation that the tenure of the outgoing EXCO will be extended to enable us consolidate on the gains made thus far. Nevertheless, we must hand over the baton to this next carefully selected set of leaders. The new President, who is a pastor and was coincidentally my School father, is a capable leader and I trust him to lead the association to greater heights. Going forward, I want to appeal that the new EXCO should be allowed to work independently and be given adequate time to deliver on its mandates. I also charge the new exco to build upon the progress made so far. In fact, this administration may have to begin on the note of genuine reconciliation to bring back all aggrieved members. There is the compelling need to discourage lavish entertainment during occasions and concentrate the Association’s resources on the growth and development of our Alma Mata.

It is on this note that I sincerely congratulate the new leaders and all members of OGSOSA on the milestone being achieved today. I wish the new Exco well as they begin to forge a new path for our association, and it is my unchanging promise to support these new leaders in every way that I can. As we progress, I urge us to always let love lead. The four-wheel test of the Rotary Club should always be our watchword, and we must see all our efforts towards OGSOSA as sacrifices and social responsibilities to the school that made us.

May I also use this opportunity to thank the king of our host Kingdom, HRM Oreki 11 for the collaborative role of his people with our Alma Mata. I also appreciate the efforts of the Chairman of OGSOSA Board of Trustees, Chief Engr. Emmanuel Ighomena (my Senior in School and in whose room I served as a junior student) and other OGSOSA members, particularly those in diaspora for their immense support and dedication to the growth of the Association. For the convenience of the incoming EXCO, I have enclosed with this speech a copy of OGSOSA current financial report, new constitution and CAC registration documents among others.

Thank you and God bless us all.

Chief Henry Ogheneochuko Ofa, PhD., JP
Outgoing OGSOSA President.