Yenagoa—The Special Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on political matters, High Chief Collins Cocodia, Sunday, hosted former teachers of the Community Secondary School, Trofani, in Sagbama LGA at his residence in Yenagoa, the state capital.
According to a statement by Cocodia’s Media aide, Patrick Ndubuisi, the event which was to acknowledge and appreciate the ex-teachers efforts in molding him into the man he is today was attended by nine former teachers of the school.
Speaking during the event, Cocodia said the idea of hosting the school teachers was to create a bond with them and rally around his fellow former students irrespective of their present locations.
According to him, the gathering was also to see to the welfare of the teachers, since most of them were either retired or had no source of income to fend for themselves.
He described teachers as great pillars of society, as their teachings and efforts to instill discipline helped to mold students into becoming whatever they aspire to.
Expressing gratitude to his teachers for their various contributions towards ensuring he turns out to become a personality to reckon with in society, the Governor’s aide added that his community was equally uplifted in various ways through their efforts at the time.
“I want to say that am happy seeing you all here. The idea is for us to unite again as one family, and to know how you all are faring, and also to tell you people that the young boy you nurtured those days, is a full-grown man today, and am sure that you all are happy that this young man didn’t disappoint you.
“Your constant discipline and dedication to your jobs made me what I am today. Even when we get naughty as young growing boys, you didn’t spare the rod to spoil the child,” he said.
He however noted that the old students of the school will be assembled in the following weeks, so that they can begin to support their teachers either financially or otherwise, as a way of appreciating their modest efforts in nurturing them.
Also speaking, a lecturer at the Niger Delta University Amassoma, who was also a former student of the school, Professor Presidor Kendabiye, recounted how he was awarded a scholarship to study abroad through the effort of one of his teachers.
While appreciating Cocodia for the reunion, he also expressed gratitude to his teachers, as most of what he teaches at the moment was part of the knowledge he gathered during his secondary school days.
“I am so glad to be here, and I want to let this house know that whatever we are today, was as a result of these men. Money cannot pay them for what they have done to us.
“We went through a life in Trofani where these people were not only teachers but they supported us financially, and even gave us food. Indeed, we cannot thank you enough.”
Another former student, Barrister Mieghabofa Batowei was equally full of gratitude to his teachers, thanking the host for reuniting him with his former teachers.
In his remark, the Principal of the school during Cocodia’s time, Chief Egeme Flint, eulogized him for hosting the gathering.
He stressed that the event was unprecedented and historic, adding that he had yet to witness or hear that a former student gathered his teachers to celebrate them and enquired about their welfare.
In their separate remarks, ex-teachers of the school reminisced about the several moments they had together as teachers and students and lauded Cocodia for reuniting, and celebrating them.
They further prayed for Cocodias’ continuous elevation in his political career.
Past teachers who were present include; Chief Patrick Weridongha, (Agriculture), Mr. Sam Newton Biraye (Commerce and Economics), Mr. Oroupadei Augustine (Geography), Rev Ernest Emmanuel (Physics), Chief Patrick Ogun (Government), Mr. Monday Gold, and Mr. Yabefa Joseph Tonbie (Principal).
Other dignitaries who were present at the event include; Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Productivity, Hon. Stanley Braboke, and Senior Special Assistant on Strategic Communications, Emmanuel Appah, among others.
According to the statement, the event also witnessed a minute silence in honour of teachers of the school who had passed away over the years.
