We’ll take Govt Sec Sch, Owerri to higher level – Arc Okoli

…As he emerges National President, Old Boys Association

By Jude Onyenedogha

It was a gathering of who is who last weekend, at Government Secondary School, Owerri, as the Old Boys Association of the school held its 2026 annual reunion/homecoming.

The event which was well attended by the members of the association from all the sets of the school who have excelled in their various fields of human endeavour and profesions was climaxed with  the election of a new set of executive to pilot the affairs of the association for a tenure.

The election led to the emergence of Arc. Chidi Clinton Okoli as the National President.

Other newly elected members of the executive were;

Chief Kingsley Osuoha,1st National Vice-President, Ernest Etumnu-Onyenze, 2nd National Vice-President,

Arc Izuchukwu Obimba National Secretary, Victory Ashamole 1st Assistant National Secretary,

Godspower Ike 2nd Assistant National Secretary,

Kingsley Ezirim, National Treasurer,

Philip Ohia National Financial Secretary,

Comrade Destiny Udodiri Akunesi National Publicity Secretary and Barr Kingsley Chinedu  Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser.

In an interview with newsmen shortly after his inauguration, Arc. Okoli disclosed that the school which was established over 90 years ago has been a model secondary School that has produced many successful entrepreneurs in the country.

He revealed that a whole lot of very  responsible leaders, politicians and people who have made it in all fields of endeavour and are placed on top positions in life attended Government Secondary School, Owerri, stressing that the institution is among top model schools in the whole federation.

Arc Okoli emphasized that the outgoing executive did their best. “We give them kudos. We will step up from where they stopped. We will do better and take this school to a higher level.

Apart from taking the Association to the next level, we’ll make it more visible. We’ll be bold and innovative in action” He said.

“The School was conceived by our forebears about 90 years ago, with the primarily goal of moulding future leaders in character, learning and service. The school has reasonably fulfilled that goal with the caliber of her products making waves in different fields of endeavours all over the globe.

The National President noted that the students of the school are doing excellently well in academics, stressing that in both internal and external examinations, they have been performing wonderfully well, while in sports, they have  been excellent, being the best Cricket team in the country presently.

He revealed that Government Secondary School, Owerri Old Boys Association is an amalgamation of the old  and young generations, adding that the association has done a lot in terms of infrastructural upgrade, donation of computers and laptops, donation of books and mentoring of the current students.

He specifically identified some of the projects to include, a beautiful hall built and donated by Ezugo Nwandu of the 1962 set, the school entrance gate built and donated by 1974 class set, regrassing and fencing of the cricket pitch executed by the 1975 set, the Assembly hall/ belfry renovated by the 1973 B class set, renovation of the old Principal’s office block by the 1972 class set, the ICT block donated by Total Energies, through an old boy, Engr Charles Ngoka, laboratory block renovated and equipped by MTN foundation amongst other numerous giant strides either executed directly by different class sets or through one form of intervention or the other.

According to Arc Okoli, “If not for the intervention of the old boys, most of the structures in the school would have completely collapsed. We have done much and are poised to do more.

He however regretted that these facilities were not being maintained by government, adding “We lack maintenance culture, we’re  ready to partner with the government to address the teething problems confronting the school, topmost amongst them are security within the school, lack of teachers in core subject areas, over population, amongst others.

It is pertinent to note that the Reunion event of Old Boys Association, Government Secondary School Owerri is an annual event which takes place every first weekend in March, Friday to Sunday. Major events that normally feature during the annual reunion include: the President’s  Night on Friday, the Annual General Meeting, the Dinner/ Awards Night on Saturday and the Reunion Thanksgiving service on Sunday.