AHOBA HOLDS AGM, PLAYS NOVELTY FOOTBALL MATCH

For the members of All Hallows’ Seminary, Onitsha Old Boys Association (AHOBA), the 30th of December of every year is usually a date set aside for their Annual General Meeting and this year was not an exception especially for the ‘Centenary Set’ known as AHOBA 85”.

The AHOBA Annual General Meeting usually attracted not just priests but members from all walks of life who travel from different parts of the world to grace the event. This year’s edition like the previous ones held within the premises of their alma mater (All Hallows’ Seminary, Onitsha, Anambra State.)

After the opening prayers, the Executive Committee of the association ably led by the President General, Mr. Marcel Okafor reeled out issues for consideration. Issues concerning the association were deliberated upon, questions and observations were taken while key decisions regarding the directions the association will take in the future were taken also. The meeting also offered a good opportunity for members to reconnect with themselves after many years.

At the end of the deliberations and ratifying of positions, attention shifted to one of the seminary’s football pitches for the novelty match.  The Local Organising Committee led by Dr. Mike Chukwumezie and Mr. Augustus Chukwukelo had divided the members into two teams (Team SouthWest and Team SouthEast). Team SouthWest paraded a former goalkeeper of the school, Mr. Nnaeto Ilechukwu as their coach while Team SouthEast had Rev.Fr. Basil Anunobi as their own coach. Members had to pitch their tents with the particular team they were supporting and adorned customized jerseys having the nicknames they used to bear during their school days.

Msgr. Hypolite Adigwe – a former Rector of the seminary was the Special Guest of Honour at the event. Mr. Don Ebubeogu (MD/CEO Tiger Foods Limited, President of ONICCIMA ) also a member of the association was the compere.  Friends and family members added spice to the event with their huge presence.

However, the beautiful trophy donated by one the members; Dr. Cajethan C. Obi was not given to any of the two teams because the novelty match ended in a goalless draw. The trophy was then presented to the Special Guest of Honour, Msgr. Hypolite Adigwe. Rev. Dr. Emeka Onwuama seized the opportunity to also introduce some of the members to the Special Guest of Honour. The AHOBA 85’ AGM cake was also cut and the fun continued till late in the evening.

The President General of the ‘Centenary Set’, Mr. Marcel Okafor described the event as a ‘Super AGM’; an AGM completely in a class of its own. He attributed the success of the occasion to collective effort. He thanked Msgr. Adigwe for making out time to come and said that his presence was a powerful stimulant. Mr. Okafor also thanked Mr. Alex Alozie, the LOC led by Dr. Mike Chukwumezie and Augustus Chukwukelo, Mr. Don Ebubeogu, Rev.Fr. Basil Anunobi, Pharm. Jude Obiakor, Dr. C.C. Obi, Mr. Vincent Okani, the welfare committee, the investment committee, the compendium committee, and the Executive Committee for their contributions in making the AGM a grand one.

He also used the opportunity to thank other members especially those who came from as far as Australia, U.S.A., other countries and from different parts of the country for the AGM and prayed that God will take them back safely. The President General also promised a greater one in the coming year.

The event was rounded up by Msgr. Hypolite Adigwe, who said the closing prayer, blessed the members, and prayed for safe trip to their different destinations.