Dear Commandos, Let me respectfully thank my seniors, our elder statesmen and my COJOSA colleagues who have in no small measure inspired great contributions to our Alma mater; Victor Okhai, Kofo, Dennis, Ugo Ben, Mike Agana, Tunde Okikiolu, Mary Tombiri, Vivian, Andrew Akhidenor, Tope Ojo, Tony Akhidenor, CMDR Hassan, Brigeni, Tajudeen Yahaya, Ngozi, Ariyike, the big Harold Nwariaku, the great Ibrahim Kadiri, Mike Densah, Our ever ready Ikenna Mbanefo and many others that space would not permit me to mention.
I would also want to thank our EX-EXCO members who have served faithfully and committedly, not forgetting Bimbo Kwashi and Bamidele Ajibola who have been so very encouraging. Respect also goes to one of us who passed on, but was ever faithful contributing what he can in the COJOSA he believed in - Late Elvis Odibo. Our EX President and Vice paid a fact finding visit to CSSJ on Thursday/Friday 29/30th of September. They met with the Commandant Lt Col AP Oguntola, who gave them a very warm reception and facilitated a thorough inspection of the school. Many pictures were taken and a lot of useful information noted. The pictures and other details have been arranged in a presentation format and would be compressed for delivery to our branches including the US and the UK-IRL. Further to this the present Working committee have been offered a tremendous help by our great members; Vivian Akiyosoye and Ariyike Oladapo to carry out a video documentary of the state of the school. All these is in a bid towards preparing us for the giving back campaign. Much thanks to our UK-IRL chapter who initiated the campaign and we are indeed grateful that many of us are beginning to see the need to be a part of this campaign; the US, PH, Abuja and Lagos. We all know what Command Jos used to be. For those who do not know, Command Jos was amongst the best secondary schools in the country, if not the best in the 80s. It was the pride of the Military as noted by Gen Danjuma. In academics we topped Plateau State, in sports no school could rival Command Jos, whether Football, hand ball (Ohh i remember Snr Miky Onwokocha with his leap and strides when he is to hit the net), (ohh i remember Gbenga, Sme Sme in the boys 4X 100m and ofcourse our admirable Senior Mary Tombiri).........we were the best. In the days of Lt-Col Ayoola, our desk, bunks, hostel louvers, field lawns were new and well maintained, Hilcrest only rivaled us in the serenity of the school compound. Today the story is different, only pictures can tell the story of what is today. It is pathetic !!!!!! to say the least. Our COJOSA North America will be hosting their 2nd Annual convention and the state of the school will form part of their agenda, those who will want to hook up with the convention can do so via SKYPE. Search for COJOSA North America and a request for permission to join via conferencing. It kicks off at 9am and 2PM our time zone in Nigeria. On this same issue and others, Lagos Branch will be called to a meeting this month end for us to discuss. Please be prepared and begin to get others intimated. Once we have the first visit presentations done, we will send it out as mentioned for our digestion. Many thanks once again to all those whose hands are on deck to lift our school and give our Alma mater a name. Best Regards John Akadang, 88, FHH Member working committee Lagos Branch (Ex Sec Gen) "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" Eph 2:8
