Nation
Old Students’ Association Charges Younger Sets On Unity
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.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, has commended the orderly conduct of the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination in the state and urged schools to sustain the standard.
Dr. Nwagor gave the commendation on Tuesday during a monitoring tour of selected secondary schools in Port Harcourt and environs where the WAEC exam is ongoing.
The commissioner, who was accompanied by directors and monitors from the Ministry of Education, said he was impressed with the peaceful atmosphere at the centres visited.
“The students conducted themselves properly and wrote their papers under conducive conditions. Invigilators and supervisors also performed their duties professionally,” he stated.
Nwagor noted that the Rivers State Government had invested heavily to ensure the smooth and credible conduct of the examination across the state
He urged candidates to reciprocate government’s effort by shunning all forms of examination malpractice and focusing on their studies.
“Government has done so much to ensure successful examinations in our schools. Students should take advantage of it by remaining focused,” the commissioner said.
While no case of malpractice was recorded in the centres inspected, Dr. Nwagor warned that any principal, teacher, invigilator, or official caught aiding malpractice would face strict sanctions in line with regulations.
He also commended school administrators, teachers, WAEC officials, and security personnel for upholding the integrity of the process.
Centres visited included County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche; Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri; Government Secondary School, Borokiri; and Pabod Model Secondary School.
Rivers State University and the Otonti Nduka Foundation for Values Education jointly hosted a two-day National Conference on 8 and 9 May 2026 to examine the state of values in Nigeria.
The two days conference held at Rivers State University convocation arena brought together academics, policymakers, legal experts and education leaders under the theme _“Trends and Challenges in Upholding Values in Nigeria.”_
The gathering focused on policy gaps, curriculum reform, and the role of ethics in public service and education.
The event opened on Friday with remarks from Vice Chancellor Prof. Chief Isaac Zeb-Obipi, who stressed the need to address declining moral and civic values across Nigeria’s education and public sectors. A book of abstracts for the plenary sessions was also presented to participants.
Key speakers included former Attorney General Chief Dr Kanu Agabi, SAN; NERDC Executive Secretary Prof. Shehu Salisu; Prof. Hauwa Imam, FNAE, of the University of Abuja; former Rivers SUBEB Chairman Ven Dr Fyneface Akah, ; former NIMASA DG Dr Hon. Dakuku Adol-Peterside; and RSU Director of ICT Prof. Sunny Orike.
Discussions centered on integrating values education into schools, tertiary institutions and public institutions, alongside the impact of technology on moral development among young Nigerians. Panel and plenary sessions produced practical recommendations for curriculum and policy reform.
On Saturday, the foundation marked its centenary with the unveiling of the book _Otonti Nduka in History_, launched by Chief Engr. Grant Offor, FNSE. The Nigerian Academy of Education held a ceremonial procession led by its President Prof. Olu Jegede and the Ikwerre Professors Forum.
In a communiqué, participants called for stronger collaboration between government, civil society and academia to mainstream values education nationwide. They recommended reviewing teacher training curricula and expanding digital platforms to promote ethical civic engagement, with the foundation pledging to share the outcomes with education authorities for implementation.
Dignitaries present included Ogbakor Ikwerre Worldwide as Chief Host, Prof. Emeritus Chief T. Uzodimma Nwala, the Ikenga 1 of Mbaise and first philosophy student of Prof. Otonti Nduka, alongside scholars and community leaders.
Amadi Akujobi
