Following the triumph of Government Secondary School, Afikpo (GSSA), Ebonyi state, in the just concluded 2023 World Teacher’s Day celebration in Abuja, the Government Secondary School, Afikpo Alumni Association (GSSAAA) will, November 11, honour the school principal, Mr. Ogbonnia Nwachi, alongside teachers and students of the institution.
Recall that GSSA emerged winner of a presidential award on October 5, having been rated by the Federal Ministry of Education as 4th Best Public Secondary School in Nigeria and the 1st in the South East to make the list in that category.
In a press release made available to Blueprint in Abuja, Friday, jointly signed by Eze David Uche, MD, PharmD, FAAC, Chairman, GSSAAA BOT, Oko Elechi, PhD, President, GSSAAA, and Roxton Chukwu, MBA, Secretary, GSSAAA, the Association said it, the Association said it considers the national recognition and award to be profoundly significant and meaningful for GSSA, Afikpo people and Ebonyi state at large.
The release read: “Today, Government Secondary School, Afikpo Alumni Association (GSSAAA) is very excited and pleased to announce the celebration of our Great school Government Secondary School Afikpo (GSSA), which received national recognition and honored as the 4th Best Public Secondary School in Nigeria.
“This national ranking of GSSA as 4th Best Public Secondary School in Nigeria by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja, was bestowed during the national commemoration of the 2023 World Teachers’ Day at the Eagle Square, Abuja on 5th October 2023.
“Pursuant to this celebration, the following Federal and State dignitaries, have been invited to participate in this memorable and historic occasion:
“The Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonnia Nwifuru, the immediate past Governor of Ebonyi State and Hon. Minister of Works, His Excellency Senator David Nweze Umahi, Member representing Afikpo and Edda Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Iduma Igariwey Enwo, member representing Afikpo North West Constituency in Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikoro Kingsley Ogbonnia, member representing Afikpo North East Constituency in Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Chief Oluchukwu Ukie Ezeali (P.Noble).
“Others are the Executive Chairman, Afikpo LGA, Hon. Uchenna Nnajiofor Ibiam, the Hon. Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Amari Omaka, SAN, the Hon. Commissioner for Primary and Secondary Education, Prof. Paul Awo Nwobasi, the Ebonyi State SEB Chairman, Hon. Juliana N. Eke, the CSP, SEB Afikpo Zone, Mr. Okpara Ogbonnaya, the immediate past Member 3, SEB Headquarters, Abakaliki, Chief Donatus Ezeogo Aja (ZENTUS).
“All friends and well-wishers of our great school and indeed the public, are hereby invited to join us as we celebrate this event in impressive fashion.
“The event will also be an occasion to honor our Principal, Mr Ogbonnia Nwachi, teachers, staff, PTA and students of GSSA for their roles and contributions in making this recognition possible.
“The significant role played by GSSAAA, a global association of GSSA Alumni and the former Governor of Ebonyi State, HE Engineer David Umahi, cannot be over emphasized in this regard.
“For the past 16 years, our great association has raised and spent close to US$2m in rebuilding and restoring our alma mater, Government Secondary School, Afikpo, to this enviable height.
“Additionally, tribute goes to all GSSA Alumni, whose crucial contributions in support of GSSA and our mission has enabled the possibility of this award and moment. The Alumni in diaspora shall connect with the school by Zoom technology installed at our state of the art Virtual Learning Center (VLC) on GSSA campus.
“We are proud of our collective achievement and would consider it a great honor to have the favor of all our esteemed invitees, their spouses, and families, as well as members of their distinguished staff, through their attendance and joyous participation in person or virtually.”
Mr. Ogbonnia Nwachi, who is popularly known as 21st Century Digital Principal of GSSA, will be honoured for leading the school to clinch the coveted presidential award for the first time since the school was established 70 years ago.
The rating of the presidential award stands as follows: Imade College, Owo, Ondo State (South West)-1st, Best, St. Louis Grammar School, Ikere, Ekiti State(South West)-2nd Best, Government College, Ibadan, Oyo State(South West)-3rd Best, Government Secondary School, Afikpo (South East)-4th Best.
Interestingly, GSSA was the only public secondary school in the South East to make the presidential award list.
The celebration, which will feature speeches, awards to best students and staff, cultural dance and news broadcast by GSSA Press Club, shall hold in all the continents of the world: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa.
The principal, staff, students, parents and other invited guests will join the celebration in the school assembly hall via Zoom, while other dignitaries in Abuja and other parts of Nigeria will hook on at their different locations nationwide, using the live streaming link.
The Mr. Celestine Onuh Annual Award for Academic Excellence established by students of the school taught by the departed Science/Mathematics teacher and philanthropist, Mr. Onuh, CEO, will equally award the best students of the school during the event.
This is coming one month after the presidential award was won by the 21st Century digital principal and it promises to be an epic and epochal ceremony as slated for Saturday, 11th November, 2023.
Mr. Nwachi, who was posted as Principal of GSSA in January, 2022, was formerly the principal of Ugwulangwu Secondary School, Ugwulangwu in Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi State.
His intellectual report presentation at Marriott Westchase, Houston, Texas, USA during the World Convention of the school alumni from July-August, 2023 further endeared him to the school diaspora Old Boys most of whom are products of Harvard University.
