By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Alumni of Ochaja Old Students Association, (OOSA) has vowed to strategize plans towards uplifting it’s Alma mater to enviable position globally.
This is sequel to enthusiasm exhibited in their collective and individual contributions during the national convention of the Ochaja Old Students Association held at the School Premises, (Ochaja Science Secondary School,) in Dekina local government area, Kogi state over the weekend.
It was a roll call of various sets since the establishment of the institution in 1960 as many pledged financial contribution while others promised to send various experts in different fields to evaluate cost of restructuring dilapidated structures, educational upliftment and total face lifting the school.
In a lecture titled “The role of Alumni in the development of Alma Mater.” delivered by Elojo ABA, the ‘first Old Student Principal’ of the college, stressed the need for Alumni association to reciprocate the gesture of foundation knowledge impacted on them from the school.
This, he said could be morally and financially motivated by old Students adding that an engaged Alumni Network allows the institution to benefit from the skill and experience of graduates.
He therefore charged the Alumni of the Ochaja Old Students to rise to the immediate challenges of the school, especially access roads, decreasing number of students and provision of job opportunity for the graduates of their Alma Mater so as to enable them contribute their quotas towards the development of the institution.
In his speech, the immediate past president of OOSA, Chief (Dr) Jonathan Okpanachi appreciated all the sets, branches and individual contributions towards giving their Alma Mater a befitting outlook.
Chief Okpanachi, however, expressed dismay over the security challenges of the school, stressing that the two schools are not protected due to the fact that almost all security men were laid off.
In view of the current security situation and various attacks on Students in the country, the former president called on the state government to expedite action in protecting lives and property in the these schools.