The Command Secondary School Kaduna, Old Students Association (COMKADOSA), Class of 1987, has tasked younger sets on unity, as a necessary tool for progress and stability of members.
President of the group, Mr Anthony Obafemi, gave the charge in an interview with The Tide’s source on Monday in Abuja, during its Gala and Awards Night titled: “The Power of Unity”.
Obafemi, while expressing delight at the group being together for 35 years post-graduation, noted that some of the qualities that had kept them together were transparency and sincerity of purpose.
The President called on the younger sets to emulate this, and also put structures in place that would drive unity and keep them together.
“This is where you can really be yourself, where you are not ashamed of anything, where you can lay it all bare.
“The reunion is for us to see ourselves and be thankful to God because we have been together for 41 years now, and some of us have not seen each other for so many years.
“Some of our mates have risen in their careers over the years, so this is an opportunity to celebrate them.
“What has kept us together is basically sincerity and accountability, and where the issue of money, which is very fundamental in whatever you are doing, is concerned, if you are not transparent, you would not get people to come or stay”, he said.
Obafemi, however, said beyond money, sincerity, accountability, there must be some benefits that members of an association were benefitting for them to stay.
“Initially when we started, it was not as easy as it looks right now, it was looking disjointed, so we had to put structures in place. So basically, it is a combination of so many factors.
“I therefore urge the younger ones to emulate and replicate such virtues”, he said.
Similarly, Mr Mohammed Uduanokhai, Co-Chair, Central Planning Committee of the event, noted that the secret of their progress as a set had been their strong unity.
Uduanokhai urged other members of other sets, particularly the younger ones, to eschew division and stay together.
“I will implore and encourage the younger sets to stay together. Of course life happens, not everyone will become successful or fall, but it is important that you keep yourselves closely knitted.
“That way, It will be easier to pull yourselves together and carry yourselves along as success comes with that, and because it is actually easier to climb together than alone”, he said.
On her part, Mrs Folakemi Ayoade a member of the set, noted that it required intentionality and efforts on the part of members for the set to thrive, adding that she had made great friends from the association that she could call upon at anytime.
“Well I think, with any relationship you just have to be intentional, you have to make an effort to be a part of what is going on.
“And it is a mutual thing, the more you give the more you receive, we have come together, we have supported one another and that gives me the impression that I have wonderful friends.