User:Jacwhyte/Methodist college Uzuakoli

Uzuakoli Methodist College Old Boys Association(UMCOBA)

College History

The Church Missionary Society (CMS) of Great Britain founded Uzuakoli Institute (UI) in 1923, which later in 1931 was renamed Methodist College. Available information indicates that a group of missionaries led by Rev. Herbert Lewis Octavia Williams was the first principal of the institute.

At various times from inception in to 1959, British missionaries administered the college. These included God-fearing men (Principals) such as, Rev. Hardy, Rev. Carver, Rev. Aggrey, Rev. Woods, Rev. Mcgarr, Mr. William H. Spray, and Mr. B. Hall, who were the last missionary to serve as principal. The first Nigerian born principal of the college was Mr. Kanu Achinivu. In recent history, the following men have served: Mr. Onokala, Mr. Anyaoha, Mr. Chukwu Ogbonnaya, Mr. Nwauche, and Dr. Chukwumereije.

Methodist College is located on approximately 93 acres of land in Uzuakoli Abia State, formerly Bende Division of Eastern Nigeria. The name of the village in which the school is located is called Amamba. Niger, Ibiam and Spray houses, which are three out of the twelve boarding dormitories that existed during its peak student population in late 1970’s, are located in Obiohia village. The rest of the college is located in Umuachama village. Umuachama, Obiohia and three other villages (Umueze, Akelu and Akekwo) make up Amamba.

There are three streams located in close proximity to the school: (a) Ogbiti Amapu, which leads to Osogworogworo where students bath on water falling on a flat rock, (b) Azi and (c) Iloo. Between the Castle and Obioha area of the school, is an ancient slave route called Uzo Oba. This route leads to Aruchukwu through Ozuitem and Bende where the old Agbagwu market was located. In the olden days, Agbagwu market was notoriously known as a slave market.

For many years, the college derived its water supply from the nearby streams mentioned above. It is noteworthy to mention that the Azi Spring shared access with the slave trade route (Uzo Oba); this realization sent cold shivers down the spins of freshman students (usually 11 to 12 year olds) whose duty it is to draw water from the spring for domestic use at the college.

Similarly, the history of the college will not be complete with mentioning the world-renowned Uzuakoli Leprosy Research Center, which was run and overseen by some of the same missionaries who served at the college. Rev. (Dr.) T.F. Davey from Great Britain led the foundation for the research center.

Core Mission:

Founded fundamentally on strong Christian principles, the schools motto is “You First, I Second”. The college anthem was selected from the Methodist Hymn Book No.64 “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty the King of Creations”. By 1953, Methodist College had expanded into three academic centers comprising the Secondary, High School and Teacher Training Centers. The Teacher Training arm of the school was later relocated outside the main college campus, while the high school program was terminated in 1973. The “Castle” a square shaped block of living quarters was constructed in 1930 to board 150 students at a time. Today, this building on one hand stands majestically as a landmark of honor and prestige, and on the other as a painful reminder of how the current educational system has failed our children.

While there are roughly 400-day students attending the college today, it must be noted that not too long ago in the late 1970’s there were about 1,500 boarding students in the college. During this period, students were accommodated in twelve houses grouped by their locations on campus as follows:

CRESCENT GROUP: Achinivu, Nwanna and Okpara CASTLE GROUP: Aggrey, Williams; Hardy and Carver OBIOHIA GROUP; Spray; Ibiam and Niger NEW TERRITORY: Ukpabi and Imo.

It is unclear how many students have graduated from our esteemed college. However, there is no doubt that the college has produced a considerable number of esteemed past and present leaders in Nigeria. Noteable among our old boys include:

Dr. Michael Okpara (Former Premier of Eastern Region, Nigeria) Dr. Anezi Okolo (Professor of Medicine, University of Nigeria Nsukka) Dr. Edwin Ogbu (Former Nigerian Ambassador to the United Nations) Dr. Ukpaby (Dean of Students Affairs University of Nigeria Nsukka) Rev. Rogers Uwadi (Arch Bishop of Umuahia Arch Diocese Methodist Church Nigeria) Justice Udo Udoma (Supreme Court of Nigeria and Chairman of the Nigerian Constitution Assembly) Dr. Clement Isong (Governor of Cross River State (1979-1983)) Chief Onyema Ugochukwu (Former Director of Daily Times News Paper and chairman of NDDC) Ngadi,Chinweoke Nwabueze.

At its prime, the institution offered tremendous opportunities for students to grow culturally, spiritually, socially, in sports and most notably academically. Students had opportunities to participate and lead in the Arts and Debating Society, Science Club, Scripture Union, Society for the Promotion of Igbo Language and Culture, Horticultural Society, Theater and Dramatic Society, etc. Some of the accolades bestowed upon the college included winner of the 1980 National Quiz Championship, 1978 Imo State Debating Championship, etc.

However, most important of all of her achievement was the ability to consistently graduate its students with complete High School Certificate (HSC) papers and distinction/ credits in the then West African School Certificate (WASC), which was equivalent to the London General Certificate of Education (GCE).

Methodist College Uzuakoli has an enviable history. Our call as old boys is to restore the dignity for which it was once known and respected in the world of academia. We have chosen this time in history to commit ourselves more than ever by devoting time, money and knowledge in support of government, local leaders, the Methodist Church, other old boys associations, school administrators, and students as necessary to reclaim the rightful place of our alma mater as center of excellence in academics, culture and sports. This is the call for which we have united, recognizing that for always the sum of a whole shall always be greater than its parts.

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