DOBs REMINISCENCES – Methodist College Uzuakoli

Remembering events and experiences from the past by old boys...

UZUAKOLI: MY REMINISCENCES

Samuel Onyebuchi Ome, DIC, DOB 1974 Class & Hardy House Room 4

The year 1973 was ushered in with the seasonal Uguru wind (Harmattan) that blows in January and most students looked forward to resumption after the yuletide festivities. It was a year of many changes in the College. The Government introduced the new school calendar from September to June, while all the classes were shortened by six months ie. January to June to make way for the new school calendar beginning in September.

HRH Alabo Reginald Abbey Hart Nnagu the 3rd

Ex-National President of UMCOBA

This is the picture of HRH Alabo Reginald Abbey Hart Nnagu the 3rd, One time National President of UMCOBA, a very powerful Senior and Distinguished Old Boy of Uzumeco, from Kalabari, in Bonny Kingdom, Rivers State, Nigeria, he is one of the Respected old boy of Methodist College Uzuakoli, and Recognized High Traditional Ruler in his Area, l have seen him in some of the occasions he attended in the College, he is very influential person in stature and one of the patriotic Senior Old boy of Uzumeco, we pray that the Almighty God will Continue to keep him alive in good health for us in Jesus name Amen. … Ajiri Chukwuemeka.

Class of '73

Methodist College Uzuakoli

Some of the big boys of Class of ’73, strutting their stuff. Daddy was once a boy! One became a Professor, another an Executive Director at ExxonMobil, another a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, yet another the National Technical Sales Manager for Mobil. Front row L-R : Agbai Ibe Ota, Nwaji Okechi, Obioha Ezeronye, Nduka Okafor
2nd row L-R: Nelson Uwaga, Enyinnaya Onokala, Chukwunyere Nwaononiwu

Dr. Edwin Ogbu

Nigerian Ambassador to the United Nations

Dr. Edwin Ogbu, Nigerian Ambassador to the United Nations, taking the March-Past Salute by the students of Methodist College, Uzuakoli during the Golden Jubilee Celebration to mark it’s 50 years of commemoration, 1923 – 1973. The ceremony was held 3rd – 9th December, 1973. In the background (right) are Mr. Vincent Eluagu, the then Vice Principal/Golden Jubilee Committee Chairman, and Mr. Bob Ogbuagu – both Distinguished Old Boys.

SCHOOL PREFECTS 1973/74

1ST SET OF PREFECTS AFTER REMOVAL OF HIGHER SCHOOL

1st Row L-R: Ihemelandu Ndukwe (squatting), Ernest Ochu-Esike, Michael Nwokocha, John Onyema, XXXX, Rev Rogers Uwadi (Class Master), Augustine Okoro (Senior Prefect), Mr Anyaoha (Principal), Kingsley Okeke (Deputy Senior Prefect), Sunday Ubani Nkanginieme, Ndubueze Dimoji, Mba Kalu Chinenye Mba, Jetson Chibuisi Nwankwo (Senior Prefect) squatting. 2nd Row L-R: Chima Mbubaegbu, Christopher Osondu, Oji Okoro, XX, Darlington Ndubuike, Otuechere Uhegbu, Chidiebere Akabuike Ogan, XX, Peters Nwokeoji, Samuel Ogbonna, XX, Ephraim Enyiogu, John Onyejekwe, Okezie Ubi (Deputy Senior Prefect), Ernest Ekobay (leaning forward), Egbuta Otisi, XX, Isinguzo.

‘I passed through UZUMECO and UZUMECO passed through me.’

By Sam Ekpe
Class of 1964 – 1971.
HSC 1972, House Head Hardy House 1972

The Methodist Church Nigeria is a Christian denomination that concentrated its missionary and educational activities in the towns along the Northern–Eastern District of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC). Hence there are Methodist Churches and schools in Makurdi, Oturkpo Agbani, Enugu, Nomeh, Nkpa, Uzuakoli, Umuahia, and so on, until the Port Harcourt Railway Terminus. The Church was virtually non-existent in the present Anambra and Imo States. As of date in my hometown Enugwu Ukwu, and in fact the entire Awka Senatorial District of Anambra State, I am not sure that there is a single Methodist Church.

1972 Football Team

College Football Team

Squatting L-R: Jerry Obike Ogbonna, Obidike Ogbonna, Ahamefula Ugah, Nwokenna
Standing L-R: Nnamdi Egbukichi (stability), Philip Uche, XXblurred, Enyioma Igbokwe, Igweobi GK, Uzoma Onyemere (Breaker), XX, XX,XX

MEMORIES OF MY EXPERIENCES AS A HIGHER SCHOOL STUDENT OF METHODIST COLLEGE, UZUAKOLI

Dame (Chief) Gloria-Nnenna Agbo (Nee Madukwe)

I graduated from Queens School, Enugu, in 1960 and gained admission for my Higher School at Methodist College Uzuakoli, in 1961. During this period, we were 2 girls in a class of about 35 boys. I attended school from my home.

My Father, Mr. Mark Madukwe Ihedioha was from Agbozu Village Uzuakoli. This Village is close to the college. My Father was a devoted Christian and member of Methodist Church Uzuakoli. My parents enjoyed close relationship with the British expatriate teachers in Methodist College, Uzuakoli. They visited them regularly with gifts of fruits etc- and they also gave my parents gifts.

I studied hard and competed favorably with the boys in the school. In 1962, I passed my higher School examination and gained admission into the University of Ibadan in 1963 to study Economics.

I passed my Bsc. Economics in 1966 and was employed by the East Central State Government in 1971 as a Planning Officer II.

I retired as a Permanent Secretary in 2002 from the Service of Enugu State Government.

I will always be grateful to the Methodist College Uzuakoli for the opportunity to achieve my educational ambition.