Even before he became the governor of Lagos State, the meetings hosted by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on the platform of the Old Students’ Association of the Federal Government College, Warri had always drawn large crowds. But the crowd that turned up for the meeting hosted recently by the governor at his Glover Road, Ikoyi private residence was unprecedented as it would beat any old school record and may probably never be broken until one day (perhaps) when an old student, just as amiable as Ambode, becomes the president of Nigeria!
As in the larger society, many old students naturally select meetings they would attend but some would rather attend only meetings hosted by the “big men”, and the bigger they are, the more they would come. If anyone had any grouse with that attitude, these guys don’t give a hoot. They would tell you it’s just the way it is – after all, anyone could do with some connections.
Thus, many who had not attended any meeting for years beat the traffic to Glover Road for that unique meeting that held on the last Sunday of June. You would not believe it – some came even from abroad! More came from other parts of the country while those residing in Lagos came in droves. At about 4pm when yours sincerely sauntered in, there wasn’t much space left on Glover Road to park – the entire territory had been taken over by the old students of FGCW but because they conducted themselves well and exhibited the discipline inculcated into them during their years in the college remarkably under the dispensation of “Papa” Philip Howard Davis (God bless his noble soul), traffic was hardly disrupted as it would be for such big occasions. Even the governor would’ve been very proud about this.
As with every old school association, colleagues take turns to host and some would want to impress and beat the standard set before them. Interestingly, members prefer to attend meetings on the Island side of the Lagos divide unless the person hosting in the Mainland can attract large crowd by his/her own personality. I would never forget in a hurry the utter disappointment of an old student who hosted in Satellite Town several years ago, expecting to receive at least 50 members but only about 15 persons turned up. He could not let the sumptuous food go to waste and smartly packaged handy takeaways for those who attended and some to the neighbours.
There would have been over 500 who turned up for the meeting. There were more standing than those sitting and those who couldn’t take it scurried back home. For many still, it wasn’t because they were being hosted by a governor that made them come; it was more because Ambode also happens to be a very amiable person in every sense of the word. He knows how to relate with everyone – the high and the low, the rich and the poor, seniors and juniors alike. Those of this school of thought would point back to another old student who was governor in one of the South South states for two terms and never hosted the old students or allowed any old school “parapo” near him.
Gazing constantly through the large crowd, the writer felt pain that the government has continued to allow the vision of unity schools to go down the drain. It was amazing to have this rich connect of people from different parts of the country held together by love for one another and love for the country. They are indifferent to the bigotry and all the negative tribal sentiments in the larger society. The only moment sectional thinking would creep in was when a particular house (in school) was being addressed and members of that house would chorus in unison, for example, those of National House couldn’t be more proud to have the governor as one of them. But Ambode would clarify later that he now belongs to all Lagosians and certainly not just National House.
The unity schools of our dispensation attracted the best brains in secondary education, no matter the person’s background, and the system accommodated their dreams. Now, the public schools are neglected and in complete disarray while the private or foreign schools now attract the best brains. It is appalling that even the students of the famous King’s College, then the “Prince” among unity schools, could not boast of basic amenities like water such that their parents had to take to protest recently.
The scenario that has been playing out at the National Assembly for some time now is a shame to say the least. But just imagine if some of the gladiators who cut across the geopolitical regions of the country and have pitched themselves against each other were products of unity schools: the matter would be settled quickly on the platform of the old students’ association or the national body of unity schools before it blew into the public. After all, they would respect their seniors at school if they will not respect any other person or the party for that matter.
Having gone through a wholesome education, it is not surprising that most old students of unity schools turn out very successful. The assembly at the meeting was a glitzy collection of successful professionals, banks’ and companies’ top executives, military top brass, politicians, brilliant academics and consultants, businessmen and women, among others. A mischievous thought sneaked past that President Muhammadu Buhari could even select his ministers from such gatherings since the entire country was represented!
Expectedly, the most exciting part of the evening was when Ambode stepped into the gathering, pleading with his seniors not to tell him to kneel down because they were the only ones in the entire country who could do that! He was just himself absolutely without airs, sharing banters with every old schoolmate. He politely received ‘yabbies’ and he ‘yabbed’ back.
He went round the crowd and shook hands with everyone, hugging those who yearned to be hugged. His security details were far away on the streets because he felt safe in the company of his fellow old students. He also played the comedian of the evening when he humoured that anyone who wanted to have a selfie must first pay N5,000 into the coffers of the association! Everyone felt his or her time was well spent and it was one evening many FGCW old students will remember for a long time.
Paul Ojenagbon
