Auchi Poly Mass Comm Alumni Hold Anniversary 

Olaoluwakitan Babatunde

It was an occasion of joy, camaraderie and celebration as Class of 93, Department of Mass Communication, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, held the 30th anniversary of their graduation from the institution in 1993.

  The theme of the reunion, held in Asaba, the Delta State capital, was “30 Years After: Reliving the Golan Height Experience” and  had in attendance a good number of students of class 93, including the Delta State Commissioner for Works, Rural and Riverine Roads, Charles Aniagwu; Managing Director, Skyway Aviation Handling Company, Basil Agboarumi; an Assistant General Manager, Delta Broadcasting Service, Warri, Nkem Nwaeke, a Director in the Department of State Security Service, DSS, Barth Omoaka, amongst others.

The gathering of the then students, 30 years after their graduation, provided opportunity to bond and relieve memories of their old days at the Golan Heights, the institution that has produced many great men and women, making waves across the globe.

At the event in Asaba and from individuals’ testimonies, it was observed that members of Class of 93 Mass Communication Department, were not doing badly at adding values to the progressive track records typical of alumni of the Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi.

While some have risen to positions of Managing Directors/Chief Executive Officers, CEOs in several thriving business establishments and Corporate Organizations, most of them in the public service are already in the management cadre as Directors, Deputy Directors, Assistant Directors and Senior Managers.

Aside, Charles Aniagwu, a three time Commissioner and Member of the Delta State Executive Council, the Senior Special Assistant, SSA to the Rivers State Governor on Media and Publicity, Boniface Onyedi, is a member of the class.

AMCOS Class of 93 which pride itself as one of the best set in the Department of Mass Communication, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, also has among its members, lecturers in higher institutions, Principal of Secondary Schools, High Ranking Officers in the Nation’s Security Agencies as well as Publishers, Senior News Correspondents and Editors, including in Thisday Newspaper, NTA, AIT, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, FRCN, Leadership, The Pointer Newspaper and foreign magazines.

Those who left the shores of Nigeria in search of greener pastures, who are referred to as Diaspora Members, are also not doing badly in their hustles, which informed their active participation in the activities and programmes of the association that has kept it moving forward.

The Asaba get-together featured various activities, including Pool Side Evening Hangout on the day of arrival;  Physical Exercise, Road Walk,  Lectures, Fund Raising for members’ welfare and projects at the Department of Mass Communication, Auchi, election of new executive to run the affairs of the Association for the next two years and a Gala night.

The immediate past President, AMCOS 93, Pastor Austen Akhagbeme, the new President, Barrister Andrew Lawani and the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Joseph Obaro Ikupa, paid glowing tributes to all that contributed towards the success of the Annual General Conference and 30th anniversary celebration, even as they expressed optimism of a greater and more united alumni body.

They stressed that the welfare of members and the giving back to the alma mata are of top priority and urged all to rise up to the task ahead.

A member of the Class, Basil Agboarumi who delivered the main lecture for the reunion with the theme “Retiring into a Comfortable Healthy and Peaceful Life: The Prospects and the Challenges”,  and Aniagwu in his contribution to the topic, stressed the need to make hay while the sun shines and admonished all to plan well for better tomorrows.

Others who spoke, including the outgone Vice President, Mrs Dolly Amosu, shared ideas on how to prepare for retirement, how to cope with the present harsh economic situation, and how to handle stress, anxiety and depression.

The Area Manager of Premium Trust Bank, Asaba, an alumnus of Auchi Polytechnic, Mr Monday Okowa, and some other invited guests also delivered goodwill messages during the lecture and fund raising session.

Immediate past Diaspora Coordinator of AMCOS Class 93 and UK-based Jolly Iguodala in a telephone conversation, described the coming together of classmates thirty years after as commendable and stressed the need for members to be progressive minded and avoid divisive tendencies.

The high point of the ceremony was the election of new executives for the association where Andrew Lawani, emerged as President, Agatha Matthew-Irabor, Vice President; Lawrence Ojeashi, General Secretary; Ejiro Bridget Enebeli, Treasurer; and Mercy Omokhodion, Financial Secretary.

Others include, Vivian Uchunor, Public Relations Officer; Daniel Owie, Welfare Officer; Roseline Ojogri, Assistant General Secretary; Otokiti Fatai, Provost and Theophilus Eloka, Diaspora Coordinator.

The elected executives were sworn in by Ramat Ilevbare, a Lawyer and Member, Board of Trustees of the association.

There were dance and solo musical performances by six members of the class, namely, Aremu, Victor, Lucky, Austen, Esther and Bertrand, who were at the center of the entertainment hub in Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi between 1991 and 1993.          

On a sad note, a minute silence was observed for those members of the class who had transited to be with the Lord.

Prayers were offered for the repose of their souls and for God to grant them eternal rest.