A PROFILE IN ACCOMPLSHMENT: It is pertinent to X-ray the background of the man, Azubuko Joel Udah within the ambit of his birth, education and professional career. The Ebubedike of UMUOLAZI, Ozuitem was born into the family of Chief S.N. Udah and Mrs. M. O. Udah on the 26th of October, 1954. He was educated of the University of Ibadan, University of Calabar, and the Nigerian Law School where he obtained the following qualifications:-B.sc in political science (U.I), LLB (UNICAL), and BL (NLS). DIG (Rtd) A.J Udah joined Nigeria police force in the year 1970 where he rose through the ranks to become the Commissioner of Police for yobe State (2000 – 2002), Borno State (2002-2003), and International Police – INTERPOL- (2003-2004). He was also the Commissioner of Police for Benue State (2005-2006) and Akwa-Ibom State (2006-2007) After serving in these formations, he was elevated to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police. In this capacity, he at various times served as AIG Zone 5 Command Benin (2007-200), AIG Zone 6 Command Calabar (2008- January, 2010) and AIG Zone 2 Lagos Command (Jan. 2010-Sept. 2010. He assumed duty as Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of ‘’A’’ Department Force Headquarters Abuja on 28th September, 2010. This was the position he was until his retirement from the police Force in January, 2012. It is worthy of note that DIG Udah conceptualized the highly successful Amnesty programme for ex-militants when he was AIG. When he was asked about what inspired him, DIG Udah said it was God’s Merciful Providence and Unmerited grace and the desire to worship Him. Honesty and Justice are the bedrock of his Convictions. This Urbane, decent, some would say, civilized Gentleman is married to Mrs. Suzanne Ngozi Udah; the couple is blessed with six children. He is also an awardee of the highest title by Abia State Government- ENYI ABIA. VISION AND PURPOSE: On his election on 26th November, 2011, as the 2nd President-General of (IBO) National High School, Aba Old Boys Association, Chief A.J. Udah (DIG Rtd) brought to the fore an uncommon Zeal and a sterling personal testament to rebuild his great Alma-mater morally, academically and infrastructuraly. Providentially, elected to serve with him as members of National Executive Committee were seasoned technocrats who share the vision he has in transforming the famed ‘’IBO NACO’’ They include: Barr. E.C. Duru (1st Vice President), Mr. Onyendi Nwaguru (General Secretary), Chief Benjamin Nsiegbe (Public Relations Officer), Mr Ihekerenma Okezie (Financial Secretary), Mr. Godwin Ogbonnaya (Treasurer), Deacon Mascot Okoronkwo (Assistant Financial Secretary), Mr. Moses Okeke (Membership Secretary), Rt. Reverend Ignatius C.O. Kattey (Anlican Archbishop of Niger Delta Province), Rt. Hon. Chief Acho Nwakanma (Ex Officio), Prof. Jude Njoku (Ex Officio), H.R.H Eze Linus Okoronkwo, Mr. Charles Chibuike Ibe (Ex-Officio), Otumba Solo Akuma (SAN-Ex Officio), Mazi Nnamdi Udoh, Mr. Alphonsus Akpaka, Barr. Ume Kalu, Hon. Prince K.O. Mgbeahuru, Mr. Philip Emenike, Mr. Maduka Oteh, Chief C.C. Awa, Architect Ezigbo Okoro, Chairmen and Secretaries of Branches and others. At the 2011 National Convention/Home coming of the Old Boys, DIG Azubuko Udah envisioned a six point Agenda geared towards restoring the dignity/glory of National High School Aba. The mission statement of the agenda is as follows: i. The birth of a strong Old Boys Association that would have an outright functions that includes: the regular monitoring of the situation in the school and issuing up-to-date reports to the Old Boys. ii. A recognized and a formidable Old Boys Association that would attract the State Governments immediate intervention to rebuild the school in view of the history as the last education bastion of Igbo Nationalism. iii. A responsive and a responsible Old Boys Association that would mount a sustained re-oriented campaign that would galvanize the students of the school and make them appreciate the enviable history of the school. iv. Emergency of a National Body that can organize a regular National Convention and home coming that would engender a forum for fruitful interactions among the Old Boys. v. The establishment of a welfare scheme for the Old Boys that will help in sustaining the Old Boys Association and give them much needed sense of oneness. vi. A proactive and purposeful Old Boys Association that will champion the amendment of existing laws by both Abia State Government and indeed the Federal Government, giving statutory and specific monitoring roles in schools to Old Boys and alumni Associations. A TESTAMENT OF EXCELLENCE: Since the emergence of this eminent Nigerian, one year ago as the President –General of (IBO) National High School Aba, Old Boys Association, the Association has witnessed a revolutionary exceptional, and result oriented leadership, A well known cliché states that the state of the pudding is in the eating; we shall therefore undertake an empirical appraisal of some verifiable achievements of DIG Udah and his team in the last 366 days. A. INFRASTRUCTURAL MILESTONE: In the area of infrastructural development, the administration of DIG Azubuko Udah has undertaken the following projects successfully. PERIMETER FENCING OF NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ABA An extensive perimeter fencing project of the school is about 50% complete with the frontage of the school grounds comprehensively fenced. With this accomplishment, the school has significantly regained the confidence of the general public and that of Aba community in particular. It is now easier to monitor the activities of students and intruders/trespasser. RECONSTRUCTION OF DORMITORIES AND OTHER SCHOOL BUILDINGS: President-General A.J. Udah is personally and solely financing the complete reconstruction of some highly dilapidated dormitories from foundation up, namely; School House and Azikiwe House. His Administration has in conjunction with the Parent Teachers Association re-roofed the existing corper’s lodge. The President-General has equally financed the restructuring of a building designated as computer and laboratory Hall single handed. This he did by advancing a loan of N86, 000.00 to the Association for this purpose. EXTENSION OF PHCN: ELECTRICITY TO THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE AND STAFF ROOM: Upon finding out that the office of the school’s principal and the teacher’s staff room were not electrified, the Present Administration of DIG Udah facilitated the extension of PHCN light to these offices. SURVEYING OF THE LAND AREA OF NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ABA: The financial secretary of the present Administration, Mr. Ihekerenma Okezie, undertook and completed the surveying of our Alma’s land Area at a huge personal cost. B. ADMINISTRATIVE STRIDES DIG A. J Udah and his team have created institutions that will make for a very smooth running of the National Secretariat and Administrative office with a view to having an Association that is responsible proactive/and well equipped to handle the challenges of a well run school. OPENING AND OPERATION OF A SAVING ACCOUNT: The present Administration promptly opened and is operating a Savings Account with the First Bank Plc for the Association. The Account Number is 3056201506 while the Account Name is: Ibo NACO Old Boys’ Association (First Bank Savings Plus). This Account has the capacity to receive both cash and cheque. EMPLOYEMENT OF AN ADMINSTRATIVE SECRETARY: The Administration of DIG Udah has created the office of Administrative Secretary which assists the National Executive Committee and the Association in carrying out their functions. The Administrative Secretary is by name Ufere, Favour Ugochi (Ms) and her Telephone Number is 08162250856. ADOPTION OF THE ASSOCIATION’S 2012 CONSTITUTION: With the adoption of the 2012 Constitution at the National Annual General Meeting of the Association, the Administration has successfully brought into being a living Constitution that protects the rights and privileges of the members and guide conducts. REGISTRATION OF THE ASSOCIATION WITH CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION: To ensure that the Association is fully legal and recognized body, the Administration of A.J Udah is in the process of finalizing the registration of the Association with the corporate Affairs Commission. SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMETATION OF AUDIT FINDINGS: The President ensured that the findings of HRH Eze Linus Okoronkwo who led the Audit Panel were implemented without delay, fear or favour. This has led to the recovery of the sum of Three hundred and Sixty-Seven Thousand Two Hundred and Sixty-Two Naira (N 367, 262.00) only from the past administration. ESTABLISHMENT OF A WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ABIA STATE SECONDARY EDUCATION MANAGEMENT BOARD: The President-General has established a working relationship with the Executive Secretary of Abia State Secondary Education Management Board with a view to influencing the Posting of quality teachers to our great Alma mater. This has been yielding good results. PRODUCTION OF THE ASSOCIATION’S 2013/2014 CALENDAR: The Administration of Chief Udah has produced and circulated the 2013/2014 Calendar to members this has helped in no small measures in the rekindling of the existence of the Association in the minds and Consciousness of members and the general public alike. C. CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ACHIEVEMENTS The Association has made tangible landmarks in living up to her Corporate Social responsibility to her Alma-mater and members. This can be measured but not limited to the following care areas. SECURITY: The Present National Executive Committee led by DIG A.J Udah (Rtd) has secured the service of two security men for the school whom are placed on the pay roll of the Association. The Presence of these security men who guards at night, has led to the reduction of theft cases in the school. The Administration at the instance of the President-General, has procured a building plan for the erection of a security post at our Alma-mater. The Architectural drawing of the envisioned police post was done by an Old Boy, Architect Ezigbo Okoro, meanwhile, there is/a regular police and Army presence at the school to forestall criminal activities. This was financed by the President –General with a personal loan to the Association which is yet to be repaid. WELFARE PACKAGE FOR MEMBERS: On coming into office, the Administration of Rtd. DIG Azubuko. J. Udah created a life Insurance Scheme for all the members known as group life insurance policy. A member subscribes to the policy with a payment of an Annual premium. SPORTS: The Association jointly planned the highly successful 2012 Annual Inter-House sports competition with the school authority. The Administration provided various sporting equipment to the school through one of her members, Mr. Rowland Echem (1983 Class) who donated the sum of N200,000.00. This is being carried on under the auspices of 1983 class. STOPPAGE OF TRESPASSERS AND EJECTION OF ILLEGAL LODGERS IN THE SCHOOL: Through the use of law enforcement agents and the co-operation of the school Authorities, the Administration of A.J Udah has decisively stopped the activities of trespassers such as strangers, footballers and hoodlums. The association equally facilitated the ejection of some unlawful occupants from the school quarters. The family of the former principal of the school Elder F.E Ogbonna who occupied the principal’s quarters for more than 12 years has finally been ejected. This was done through active co-operation of the school Authorities as well. ATTENDANCE BY MEMBERS TO BURIAL CEREMONIES OF DEAD MEMBERS AND OTHERS: The Association identified with the families of her two departed members and a former principal. The three persons whose funeral the Association attended were Late Hon. Orji Lekwauwa, Elder Ngozi Dike and Sir L.D.O. Ezechukwu (piccolo-A former principal of the school). At each of these ceremonies except Elder Ngozi Dike’s, the Association gave a very good condolence purse to the bereaved families. It is noteworthy to state here that the responsibilities of the Association to a member who is bereaved or to the family of a member who is late is enshrined in the 2012 Constitution of the Association that was produced and adopted within the life of DIG A.J Udah’s Administration. GOING FORWARD DIG A.J Udah and his team have by no means exhausted their shopping list within the past one year. A lot of challenges are being targeted at by Administration in the years ahead, having been afforded a look into the antecedents of this exceptional man, it is no wonder that he has set his sights on accomplishing the following projects which will transform our Alma mater into a citadel of academic excellence. - Rebuilding of the Old Administrative Block and Staff room of the school which the 1973 class has pledged to rebuild. - Renovation of Z.C. Obi and Akanu Ibiam houses which 1978 class has pledged to rebuild. - Renovation of the New Administrative Block. - Landscaping of the grounds of the school. - Renovation of the school Laboratory which Mr. Chibuike Ibe has pledged to re-equip. - Completion of the on-going perimeter fencing of the school. The President – General welcomes the co-operation and assistance of the entire members and various classes of Old Boys that passed through IBO NACO in realizing these goals he has set for his Administration in the coming years. HIS SCORE CARD Udah’s innumerable outstanding attributes and accomplishments mark him out for a deserving recognition and commendation by every Old Boy both at home and the Diaspora. It has indeed been one year of intense activities with tangible results. And as we await his next moves in his transformation agenda, we can aptly say that it has been so far so good, so far so EXCELLENT.
Posted on: Sat, 17 Aug 2013 06:41:14 +0000
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