Old boys eulogise CKC at 90
From Maurice Okafor,Enugu.
The Christ the Kings College(CKC)Onitsha founded in 1933 by a Catholic priest late Rev.Fr. Chris Harris turned 90 years of it’s establishment this year,2023.It ranks among the surviving secondary schools in the Eastern part of Nigeria that has retained it’s initial name,as was established by the colonial administration.
Many distinguished personalities in Nigeria who passed through the college in pursuit of their educational carrier who operates under the umbrella of ‘CKC Old Boys Association’ has described the college as the fulcrum and background of their success in life,stating the honesty,disciplne and commitment to hard work they imbibed from the school remains unparalled.
The CKC Old Boys Association used the occasion of the 90th birthday of the school to come together, share memories,wine and dine,and also gave awards to members both the living and the dead,who has rendered or still rendering meritorious services to humanity in different sectors of the economy.
The 90th Anniversary celebration of Christ the Kings College Onitsha by it’s Old Boys was extra ordinary,based on the fact that it spilled over from the College base at Onitsha to Enugu on a different dates.
A forner Governor of Anambra state,Mr Peter Obi, who was the 2023 Labour Party Presidential candidate,was among top dignitories who graced the 90th anniversary at Onitsha.
Peter Obi attended Christ the Kings College Onitsha from 1973 to 1978.He belongs to the Onitsha branch of CKC Old Boys Association. The CKC Old Boys Onitsha branch decided to perfect their own chapter celebration on same date,Sunday,November 28,the whole Catholics globally celebrated Christ as the King, Lord and Saviour of mankind.
The Enugu branch,CKC Old Boys Association marked the 90th anniversary of their alma mater a week after, precisely on Sunday,November 3.They marked it with a thanksgiving service held at Holy Ghost Cathedral, Ogbete Enugu.
Thereafter,it continued with wining and dining at Filbon hotel,
New haven Enugu,climaxed with posthumous awards to dead colleagues who distinguished themselves in services while they lived.Other category of awards include Exemplary Awards, ‘Leadership/Service Awards and Honorary Awards to other distinguished Nigerians.
Speaking at the Enugu event,The President,CKC Old Boys Association,Enugu branch,Engr.Greg.Nnaji, said they are proud to be product of CKC Onitsha,describing the culture of discipline,honesty,hard work and resilience they gained from their alma mater as the secret of the success of most of the members in their various fields of endeavour.
Engr.Greg Nnaji who is the immediate past commissioner for works in Enugu state attended Christ the Kings College(CKC) Onitsha from 1973 to 1978.He said he lived in the same hostel with Mr Peter Obi and shared close apartments.
Answring questions on the way of giving back to their alma mater, Engr.Nnaji disclosed that Enugu chapter of CKC Old boys as part of events that marked the 75th anniversary celebration built a standard building and donated to the college, and for the 90th anniversary, a class room block was built and handed over to management of the college by an Old boy.
He said the awards were a measure of appreciating members who have paid their dues in the society and encouraging others to imbibe service to the society as a culture.
Engr Greg Nnaji revealed that they will also visit motherless babies home,orphanage homes and other organisations catering for the less privileged to donate gifts as part of events that marked 90th anniversary celebration of CKC Onitsha,their alma mater.
Barr.JHC Okolo(SAN) an Old boy of CKC,who chaired the Enugu chapter’s event described the action of the old boys as commendable,stating the Old boys must have to offer their own contribution in the quest to return CKC to it:s grory.
A veteran journalist cum sports writer,Comrade Okey Achie, also a CKC old boy,commended the initiatives of restoring standard of Education at CKC,
