The 1999 set of Aguda Grammar School, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos, have elected pioneer executives to man the affairs of the association.
The election which was conducted electronically (online) and also manually, was held recently and lauded by all members. Organisers said this was in a bid to ensure that members in the diaspora exercise their franchise, too.
According to some members, the process could stand the test of time when juxtaposed with the electoral system of the country.
As an aftermath of the election, the Achievers’ Set, as fondly called, elected Ayotunde Alonge, a journalist by profession, who narrowly edged out Mark Edeh, an accountant and a former Head Boy of the alma mater, in a keenly contested election that secured the winner with only two votes.
Other elected members of the executives are Blessing Ozegbagbe as Deputy Governor, Adaobi Okaro as General Secretary, Okafor Christopher as Treasure, Motolani Daniels as Financial Secretary, Idowu Aikhenomia as Welfare Officer, Onyewuchi Odikanwa as Public Relations Officer and Lukman Ogunbi as Assistant General Secretary.
Our correspondent gathered that other vacant positions not contested for would be duly filled by the executives through appointments.
The newly elected governor of the association, in his speech, while thanking the members for voting him, pledged to work with all and sundry towards taking the association to greater heights.
His words: “This is not a victory speech; no, not one! I, deliberately, chose not to call this a victory speech at the risk of being misconstrued to imply victory for Ayo Alonge. Sorry, I didn’t win an election; instead, WE won an election. A tree, they say, cannot make a forest.
“It is ‘we’ because we all chose to be disciplined and decorous to play by the rule of the game, to democratically elect this government into office.
“With every sense of humility, let me say that all my life, I have been appointed and elected into a couple of serving capacities but none has been keenly contested this way – the very reason I don’t want to hesitate in saluting the generalissimo and demagogue himself, my opponent, Mark Bekweri Edeh, for his enviable personality etched by his maturity, before, during and after the process of politicking and electioneering. What a close margin!
Mark, this feat is for us. Please, let’s govern this house together, and thanks in advance for accepting my outstretched arms of camaraderie,” said Alonge.
He, however, added that he would strive to work worthy of the love and trust accorded him, without fear or favouritism.
“At this juncture, it doesn’t really matter who voted for who and who didn’t. One major blatant truth that has come to stare us all in the face is that we are on a mission to achieve great things together. Please, I enjoin you all to see me as not just as an old classmate but also as a friend and brother. I promise to be a good listener and a fellow paddler while we all sail through this journey. Trust me, I won’t betray the confidence reposed in me; not after so much love lavished on an undeserving me.
“Together we shall build a formidable association that tilts towards achieving great things in the area of entrepreneurship, humanitarian service, philanthropy, Corporate Social Development, and the like.
We shall consult potential partners, both individuals and corporate bodies, who could assist us succeed, while also maximising our individualistic profession and potential for corporate advantage,” he said.
However, in a show of sportsmanship, and lending his voice to the preponderant congratulatory notes that poured in, one of the contestants, Mark Edeh, said: “Congratulations, Governor Ayo Alonge on your victory. May you lead us well. Cheers brother. Thanks to all those who voted for me! I’m indeed honoured.”
One of the old boys of the school, Emeka Okolo, while also congratulating the elected executives and harping on collective responsibility, said: “This is a new dawn for us and a new era as gladiators have emerged. Remember, we are one big united family, and I humbly congratulate Governor Ayo Alonge.”
Members of the Electoral Committee are Chukwutem Enumah (Chairman) Abiodun Ojajuni, Zainab Oganija, Morolake Olaosebikan and Fatima Ogunsanya.
