By; MOHAMMED KAWU, Bauchi
The Director-General (DG) of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Dr. Balarabe Shehu Ilelah has observed that the purpose of reuniting old school or classmates is not just to meet, enjoy theatres and disperse, but also to exchange particulars with the aims of making differences in their own lives.
According to him, some of the mates might be in privileged positions in both public and private sectors, that can make a difference in colleagues’ lives, or positively impact either directly or indirectly on their children.
The NBC Director-General at a reunion of former Bauchi State College of Arts and Science (BACAS) ’84 old students at Zaranda Hotel in Bauchi weekend, stressed the need for the old boys to assists one another in life and in one way or the other towards making life appreciable.
Dr. Balarabe Shehu Ilelah explained that for one who was privileged to assume a high public office in life, but cannot assist a mate or old friend, such privilege or life of that particular public officer leaves much to be desired, especially when measured on a scale of school or classmates.
Ilelah described school or classmates as friends for life and it’s the basis upon which one’s livelihood squarely rests, saying that once such opportunity of reunion to assist one another is lost, the entire life may have presumed to be perished in its entirety.
The Rector of the Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic (ATAP) to which the former BACAS eventually metamorphosed into, Dr. Adamu Sa’idu described the old students’ reunion as one of the privileges that one can really have in life.
“You are gathering here today to recoup your memories as students of BACAS. For the part that you have departed for long and God in His infinite mercies preserved you, gives you life and health, for you to be here today to celebrate your successes and achievements after a period of 40 years”.
Dr. Adamu Sa’idu said that looking at people with exemplary character and positions, there is the need for them to understand that the baby (BACAS) they left has grown to the point that ATAP presently undertakes courses that involve Diplomas, NCEs and Degree courses, hence much is needed in the institution to give the quality education they have hitherto acquired.
Sa’idu therefore, invited the old boys to visit ATAP and identify other areas that their organizations or institutions, individual focus would jump in some corporate social responsibilities or individual contributions, as the institution needs much from them.
Two papers were presented during the BACAS old students reunion namely ‘Together Once Again’ by Dr. Hamza Sule Wurobokki, and ‘The Role of Old Students’ Association in Fostering National Unity and Revival of Education in the Country’ by Dr. Mohammed Inuwa Musa, Unibuja.
The paper ‘Together Once Again’ was presented by a permanent Secretary in Gombe State Civil Service, Shifra Luka on behalf of the presenter, Dr. Mohammed Inuwa Musa who enumerated seven dimensions of wellness as physical, spiritual, occupational, environmental, social, emotional and intellectual.
The Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), Mohammed Sani Mohammed has earlier in a welcome address expressed gratitude to his colleagues who came from various walks of life and callings, saying the initiative has achieved its purpose.
Mohammed, currently a lecturer with ATAP, enumerated various activities that made up the reunion meeting which included homage to the Palace of Bauchi Emir, Dr. Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu, and commended the management of ATAP for its logistics support, as he called on the old students to sustain the forum.
