89 Set of Community High School Ekwegbe Holds Annual Get-Together, Plans to Give Back to Alma Mater
By Ugwuogo Joshua
It was a re-union of kindred spirits as members of the 1989 set of Community High School (CHS), Ekwegbe, in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, joyfully converged together for their annual get-together.
The gathering brought together former classmates who described the event as a rare opportunity to reconnect, reminisce, and strengthen the bond forged decades ago within the walls of their alma mater.
The ’89 set holds a unique place in Nigeria’s educational history, being among the second nationwide cohorts to sit for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) under the Federal Government’s 6-3-3-4 education system.
Members of the CHS Ekwegbe 89 set distinguished themselves by recording an impressive overall success, and many have since gone on to excel in diverse professional and entrepreneurial pursuits.
The event, held at the Eke Ekwegbe Market Hall, was deliberately organized to enable members to interact, deliberate on their collective welfare, and brainstorm practical ways of contributing to the development of their alma mater.
Attendance at this year’s gathering was described as encouraging, with the official induction of two new members, Grace Kanny Nweze and Gladdys Agbowo, into the group.
Speaking separately during the event, Associate Professor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Dr. Kingsley Obute, alongside other members, expressed concern over what they described as the declining standard of education in recent times.
They attributed the situation largely to students’ lackadaisical attitude towards learning.
The group further identified additional contributing factors, including the engagement of unqualified teachers, diminished passion for the teaching profession, and a general lack of commitment within the education sector.
Consequently, members unanimously resolved to develop a motivation and mentorship framework aimed at encouraging current students of Community High School Ekwegbe to take their studies more seriously and improve their academic outlook.
Meanwhile, special commendation was given to Hon. Venetus Ogboenyi, a member of the ’89 set, for his consistent involvement with the management of their alma mater. He was praised for serving as the group’s link and “eyes” within the school, ensuring continuous engagement and feedback.
In an interview, the incumbent Chairman and pioneer member of the group, Dr. Vitus Ezugwu, said the annual get-together provided him with a valuable opportunity to reconnect with his classmates many years after leaving secondary school.
Dr. Ezugwu, who is also a university lecturer at Federal University Uyo expressed gratitude to God for granting members the gift of life to reunite once again. He confirmed that concrete plans are underway to support their alma mater and expressed optimism that more classmates who are yet to identify with the group would eventually do so.
“Yes, we have concrete plans to give back to our school because one must always remember where he started from. Community High School Ekwegbe remains our foundation. While the details of our plans cannot be disclosed at this time, I can assure you that they are already in the pipeline.
I pray that God will preserve us, grant us good health, and provide us with the necessary resources to execute these plans successfully, because meaningful intervention requires adequate funding,” Dr. Ezugwu said.
The gathering ended on a note of renewed commitment, unity, and shared resolve to positively impact the next generation of students of Community High School Ekwegbe.
