Presidents' handover notes

Handover address, 30 September 2023

An address at the inauguration of the new executives. Transcribed from the signed copy; headings as in the original.

1 · Introduction

It is with great delight, honour and privilege that I make this speech today, on this occasion of my handing over the affairs of this great Association to the newly elected Executives, after serving a period of twelve years. I make bold to do this on behalf of the old Executives that served with me within the period in context.

Today is indeed auspicious, because the activities of the day are not daily occurrences but are sine qua non to our very existence as old students of this great institution. I give thanks to God Almighty for the gift of life and grace, and for making it possible for all of us to be here today to witness and partake in the ceremony.

2 · Our alma mater

Alma mater is a description of any school, college or university at which one has studied, and usually from which one has graduated. The year 1960 was a watershed in the nation's journey and quest for independence and educational emancipation. Edokpolo Grammar School, our alma mater, was founded that year by the late Archbishop John Enoyogiere Edokpolo — a man who, out of determination and divine providence, got to the height of human excellence. No wonder, during my tenure of office, we instinctively wanted to know more about this man, and commissioned Dr Osasu Ekpenriebe Isibor to write a book on him: The Eagle on the Iroko. The choice of this title was as divine as the man himself — the eagle, king of birds, and the iroko, king of trees. It conjures the greatness of this man in all ramifications.

Edokpolo Grammar School was a private co-educational institution, boys and girls, with boarding facilities. The school was compulsorily taken over by the Bendel State Government in 1972. The proprietor refused to accept the eighty-seven thousand naira offered by the Government then; hence the name of the school has remained till date. Some time in 1976 the female students were moved to New Era College and the male students brought to Edokpolo Grammar School. The school motto is "Labour Omni Vinci" — labour brings honour and conquers all. I can say unequivocally, without fear or favour, that the old students of this great institution are people who have excelled in their chosen professions or vocations through dint of hard work. The roll call is endless, starting with all the old students here today.

3 · The road map

The Association was founded in 1970 by the late Prince Macaulay Ayo Kuyoro, the founding president. He was of the 1968 set: house prefect of College House, laboratory prefect and school football captain. Kuyoro and some other students of the school won laurels for the school, Bendel State and Nigeria in various sporting events, including football. Players like goalkeeper the late Peter Idahor, Oklahoma, Gamalin 20, Austin Eguavoen, Let Them Say, Kakaraka (Monday Agbontaen), Micky Micky, Bodium Bazuaye and Imafidon, to mention but a few, were all products of this great school. Prince Kuyoro passed on some few years ago and was given a befitting burial in his hometown, Ijebu-Mushin in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State. I led the delegation of this Association to the burial.

Today's event marks a milestone in the annals of this great institution. First, an election was properly conducted in electing officers into the Executive positions — it was conducted without rancour and was accepted by all. "I hope INEC will borrow a leaf from us." Secondly, for the first time an inaugural ceremony is planned to usher in a new Executive. On this note I want to sincerely commend both the Electoral Committee headed by Prof. Otajevwo and the Inauguration Committee headed by Mr Patrick Oshodi. You have all done us proud, as worthy sons and daughters of this great institution.

Leadership presupposes followership. It presupposes a group of people who, from allowing themselves, produce a leader. We are all leaders and followers in our own right, but these leaders — the Exco — have been chosen by us through an election to lead us to the desired promised land. To the new Exco, I urge you to hit the ground running, articulate your vision and authority to call the shots, "fully cognisant of the risks in taking initiative". But remember that it is better to take a decision that may look wrong than not to take any decision at all. Bear in mind that the world is now a global village, with your members residing all over the world, and the need to galvanise them is key to your administration. As old students, let us be determined and committed to rebuilding our alma mater in all endeavours, bearing in mind the vision of the founder. Consequently, I urge us all to give the new leadership the desired maximum support to succeed.

4 · A brief profile

Born in 1955 into the family of Mr and Mrs Samuel Omoregie of the Ogbedoyo dynasty, he attended Holy Cross Primary School I and II from 1962 to 1967, Edokpolo Grammar School from 1968 to 1972 (WASCE), and the Institute of Continuing Education from 1973 to 1975 (HSC/A-levels), all in Benin City. He was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1977 as a member of the 23rd Regular Combatant Course, graduated in 1980 with a presidential commission in the rank of Second Lieutenant, rose to the rank of two-star General in 2010 and retired in January 2012. While in service he acquired a second degree, an MSc in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan. In a military career spanning three decades he served in command, staff and instructional (training) institutions.

5 · My tenure

On retirement from the military service after 35 years, I relocated back to Benin in 2011 and joined the Association. The following year I took over the mantle of leadership of the Association from the late Pa Kuyoro of blessed memory, some time in 2012, and my quest to plough back my experiences to the school was unprecedented.

A. Achievements. Our modest achievements include:

• facilitating the renovation of the school complex by the State Government;
• organising inter-house sports competitions for two years;
• provision of toilets to staff and students by a set of the Association;
• provision of chairs and tables to the school;
• renovating and equipping the laboratory, and equipping the science laboratory by the 1972 set;
• extra-mural classes by some members of the Association;
• registration of the Association with the Corporate Affairs Commission, and a Constitution for the Association;
• the Founder's Day reunion and book launch — The Eagle on the Iroko, the biography of the late Archbishop John E. Edokpolo — on 27 October 2012;
• the annual lecture and Distinguished Edogram Personality Award (DEPA) ceremony and reunion party, from 21 December 2013;
• provision of scholarships to some deserving students, payment of WASC/NECO examination fees for some students, and payment of some security guards.

B. Challenges. Within the same period we had some challenges: poor attendance at meetings by members; deficiency in payment of annual dues and other financial levies; lack of acceptance of appointments (no permanent secretary); and non-commitment to the Association's aims and objectives.

C. Prospects. Increase in membership strength; a vibrant membership; elected officials to run the Association; the commitment and determination of the new Exco to succeed; a reservoir of knowledge; a positive disposition by the various sets; and great awareness of the need to impact positively on our alma mater.

6 · Conclusion

In the course of fostering the core mandate and the collective will and interest of the Association, there may be times when some firm decisions had to be taken which may be at variance with individual interest; but remember, the collective interest must and should take precedence, in fairness to the laws of equity and fair play. Such occurrences must have left some bruises and some not-too-pleasant moments; again, remember the larger picture must take precedence, so I plead no guilt. But if for personal reasons your fingers were hurt, I implore you to forgive, for it was not intended to bruise your ego nor lower your self-esteem. To err is human, and to forgive divine.

Though I am stepping aside to allow the new Exco to operate maximally, I remain open and available to you all, both in private and official capacity, as ex-officio. I cannot conclude this address without expressing my thanks and appreciation to the esteemed members of my Exco and the Association for your candid co-operation given to my administration. All the successes have been collective ones, while any perceived fault or failure I accept and subsequently plead for forgiveness. I urge you all to extend the same hands of fellowship and comradeship to the new Exco, to succeed. In as much as I cherish this moment, I wish to say it comes with nostalgia.

Thank you all, and God bless.

C. O. Omoregie JP, Maj-Gen (Rtd), Outgoing President, EGSOSA — 30 September 2023

Report of the outgoing administration, September 2023 to August 2025

It is with great pleasure that I present this report, highlighting the achievements and challenges of the outgoing National Executive Council of EGSOSA during its tenure from September 2023 to August 2025. As the outgoing Global President, I am proud to reflect on the milestones achieved by our team, and I am confident that this report will serve as a valuable resource for our members, stakeholders and future leaders.

Legal

• We received expert advice on legal matters affecting the association, and so stayed shielded against unforeseen legal action throughout our period in service.
• Compliance with our Constitution and other relevant state and federal laws guiding associations such as ours.
• Severally amended our Constitution to reflect the evolving needs and goals of the association.
• Reviewed and drafted correspondence, agreements and other legal documents.
• Ensured a seamless electoral process, which resulted in the successful transition of leadership.
• Fostered unity and teamwork among members through effective communication and conflict resolution, reaching out to aggrieved parties of some sets and closing the gaps between factions.
• Oversaw the incorporation of all set heads and members as part of the association's primary organ, by amending the Constitution accordingly.

Welfare

• Proactively promoted inclusivity, community spirit and support for members within these two years.
• In strengthening the membership drive, actively engaged domestic and diaspora EGSOSA members to enhance participation, while re-engaging former members who had left the platform.
• Mobilised financial assistance for members facing health challenges, hospitalisation or bereavement, to ease their burdens.
• Provided entertainment and refreshments at EGSOSA's monthly conferences and overwhelming support for EXCO-related events.
• Publicly celebrated and acknowledged key life events of members — birthdays, marriages, anniversaries and child dedications.
• Consistent visitation of members undergoing difficult times, providing emotional, moral, spiritual and financial aid where possible.
• Supported our school physically and financially during inter-house sports events, and gave moral and financial support to the Edogram football team to win the Governor's Cup in 2025.

Secretariat

• Provided administrative support — co-ordinating information and implementing policy decisions.
• Held 20 conferences and 24 Executive Council congresses, giving members a platform for interactive sessions and decision-making.
• Produced detailed conference minutes, promoting transparency and accountability.
• Handled the dissemination of correspondence so that members received timely and relevant information.
• Executed the various assignments emanating from the presidency, and reshuffled the body of administrators to maintain and strengthen the platform bylaws.

Finance

• Presented monthly financial activities and quarterly reports, for transparency and accountability.
• Managed the association's funds, ensuring that all transactions were properly recorded, and issued receipts to members for dues and donations.
• Transitioned to online banking, improving the efficiency and security of financial operations.
• Paid off eleven years of returns indebtedness with the Corporate Affairs Commission, reactivated the association's CAC portal, and updated the names of the new Board of Trustees.
• Amended the Constitution to peg monthly running costs, and increased the financial benefits to deceased members' next of kin.
• Grew the membership database from 109 to 651 within the two-year period.
• Completed the payment of ₦250,000 for a quantity survey of the Administration Block.
• Increased the operational fund from ₦185,161.36 on 18 October 2023 to ₦1,251,935.80 on 25 July 2025.
• Generated ₦3,575,286.27 for the reconstruction take-off of the Administration Block — more than 10% of the ₦30 million budgeted for the project.

Challenges

• Lack of adequate financial participation by members.
• Overwhelming individual biases.
• Teething difficulties with members' interpretation of the Constitution, which created undue procrastination and roadblocks against effective management.
• Some members' difficulty in distinguishing between the workings of their respective sets and EGSOSA as the global parent body.
• Funding limitations hindered some projects. EXCO proposes establishing a network of sub-officers, allocating dedicated funds, and providing basic needs-support to struggling members, to enhance impact and cultivate a consistent culture of empathy.

Conclusion

I solemnly appeal for more Greats, irrespective of status, gender, tribe, religious or political affiliation, to present themselves for service in any capacity, so as to accelerate the actualisation of our collective vision. This outgoing National Executive Committee is proud of its achievements, and grateful to God and to the entire Greats for the opportunity to serve the association. We remain unflinchingly committed to the continued growth and development of EGSOSA, while looking forward to the association's bright future under the new leadership. We humbly acknowledge that there is still work to be done, and we are confident that the foundation laid by this administration is sufficient to guide the new leadership of EGSOSA into a better, brighter and financially healthier future.

Stanley A. Iwuoha (Pst), Outgoing Global President, EGSOSA — September 2023 to August 2025