EGHOBA 81 SET HOLDS 40th ANNIVERSARY IN BENIN, HONOURS FORMER TEACHERS

Emotions, encomiums, tributes as well as goodwill messages poured in freely on Sunday as the Eghosa Anglican Grammar School (EGHOBA) Old Boys Association, 81 set held its maiden 40th  anniversary in Benin City.
The colourful ceremony held at the hall of the Prestige Hotel, Ihama Road, Benin city and which drew participants and guests from within and outside the state had members, including the General Manager, Bendel Newspaper Company Limited (BNCL), Solomon Imohionsen  (Esq) taking turn to eulogise their then English and Chemistry teachers/honorees, Mrs. Violet Patricia Lawal  and Pa Joseph Imuentinyan for the knowledge they impacted them during their stay at school.
In his opening remarks, the president of the EGHOBA 81 set, Dr. Edward Izevbigie, described the event as laudable as it afforded the set of 81 students both from home and abroad the platform to reunite and to appreciate some of the outstanding teachers as a way of giving back to the school.
Dr. Izevbigie said despite the withholding of some of the subjects, including English language after the release of the WAEC final examination results, the students were not deterred in their zeal as they have excelled in their various fields of endeavors, including producing Justice, Chief Medical Director, Professors, Lawyers, Pharmacists, Permanent Secretaries, pilot, Captains of industries and business men amongst others
He highlighted some of his achievements since assuming office to include introduction of monthly  hosting in members houses and the setting up of welfare scheme amongst others.
He stated that the welfare scheme has rendered various types of assistance to some members who retired from the public service and are awaiting pension and gratuity, settling hospital/medical bills, including the visit to one of the old boys who lost his wife and later developed depression in Lagos.
He used the occasion to disclose the association’s plan in the area of infrastructural development in the school, adding that the blue print and design were ongoing and would be unveiled soonest.
Also, Christian Omatsone (Esq) who represented the global president, Estate Surveyor, Bernard Eboreime at the event urged the Benin chapter of the EGHOBA 81 set to look beyond the building infrastructure of the school with a view to knowing how the school could be transformed internally in terms of ensuring the necessary materials needed for teaching and learning
The General Manager, Bendel Newspaper Company Limited (BNCL), Mr. Solomon Imohionsen  (Esq), eulogised the honorees, particularly the English language teacher, Mrs. Violet Patricia Lawal, declaring that for the knowledge she imparted on him, he would not have been where he is today being a Journalist and Lawyer.
Hon. Justice Cletus Emitoniyi from Delta state High court who hinged his goodwill message on testimony, declared that only God could reward the teachers for their good work.
Others who spoke at the event, acknowledged the way and manner both teachers handled their subjects diplomatically which they noted earned them the deserving awards.
The honorees, Mrs. Violet Patricia Lawal and Pa Joseph Imuentinyan commended the body for deeming them fit for the awards.
The then Chemistry teacher, Pa Joseph Imuentinyan who expressed gratitude to God for sparing the old students’ lives and kept them this far in life, declared that he was overwhelmed by the students’ achievements in life, adding that they did not fail in their chosen fields.
Mrs. Lawal on her part, said she was only doing her job unknowing that she would be honored one day by her old students.
“I was only impacting knowledge on you. I am grateful to God because He has blessed you”,
Particularly now that things are very difficult, yet you deemed it necessary to honour us. You will never lack. I am fulfilled seeing my students excelling”.
Mrs. Lawal, though lamented  that she had not been paid her gratuity since retiring from the service in 2012 said she was fulfilled by the honour and the cash gift.
The former English teacher decried the dearth of quality teaching in schools today which she said was militating against the standard of education in the country and appealed to the organisers on the need to partner relevant authorities with a view to upgrading the standard of education in the country.
Highpoint of the ceremony was the presentation of brand new refrigerators and cash gifts to the deserving teachers.