John, pls let me know how I can contribute here. I've been quiet for a while; now I want to play a part.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device -----Original Message----- From: John Akadang <[email protected]> Sender: [email protected] Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:21:42 To: <[email protected]> Reply-To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Jos Commandos] ELDER E UWAKWE Senior Andrew, Just my two pence suggestion. Let us have a drawn up program/Objective on what COJOSA in diaspora should team up to achieve in respect Papa Uwakwe. An estimate on what will help us achieve this objective would help us to adequately plan well. I was privileged to have met Papa Uwakwe during the tenure of the last civilian principal Mr Ligali. He was the school's Vice Principal and a father. I still remember vividly one of our colleague in flying Horse House by name Ebenezer who went off normal (mentally) due to excess coffee intake. It was during the school inter-house sports we noticed Ebenezer was not himself. The then house captain(FHH), Snr Bashiru had to run around the sport officials to convince them that Ebenezer was not a house representative for the competition, as Ebenezer had on his own accord participated on flying horse house spot for Shot put and high jump. His abnormality was immediately picked up by Papa Ukwakwe (Papowa) who captured his attention and from there immediately arranged for Ebenezar to be whisked off to the military hospital in Rukuba. We owe him such thanks. I also remember one very funny joke around Papowa. That during the days of morning jogging when teachers and house masters would go round chasing students out of their dormitories for jogging, some students as we all know nahhh would cleverly hide in wardrobes, ceiling, toilet, under the bunks, etc. So as Papowa was moving round the sections in flying horse house, a student who was hiding under the bed, saw a pair of legs and thinking it was his section mate started calling out in a hush voice to the owner to legs....."o boy, o boy, Papowa don pass, o boy, Papowa don pass". Mr Uwakwe quietly answered him in a hushed voice, "yes oo, he don pass". Just as the dude made to come out from hiding, you can imagine the hand that grab him.........the rest na story Indeed we should fondly remember the fatherly Papowa. We owe him as his one time children to do something in what ever way we can. Senior Andrew and Senior Agana, like our President had earlier highlighted, Lagos is behind you in respect of Papowa. God bless Regards John Akadang Sec Gen, COJOSA 88, FHH "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 --- On Tue, 7/13/10, TUNDE OKIKIOLU <[email protected]> wrote: From: TUNDE OKIKIOLU <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Jos Commandos] ELDER E UWAKWE To: [email protected] Date: Tuesday, July 13, 2010, 7:46 AM Andrew we are behind you, Cheers Tunde Okikiolu --- On Tue, 7/13/10, AKHIDENOR, ANDREW <ajaropepper@ yahoo.com> wrote: From: AKHIDENOR, ANDREW <ajaropepper@ yahoo.com> Subject: [Jos Commandos] ELDER E UWAKWE To: joscommandos@ yahoogroups. com, "adams john" <ajsa...@yahoo. com> Date: Tuesday, July 13, 2010, 5:19 AM ELDER EKE UWAKE: SITUATION REPORT AND SPECIAL APPEAL After the initial visit by some of our seniors early this year, I called Mr. Uwakwe (Papuwa as he is fondly called) and he was very delighted to hear from me. I did at the time inform him that I was serving in Umuahia and would certainly visit him as soon as I had settled down. Following the last mail sent in by Snr Agana with reference to the burial activities for Late Elder EE Okwubunka, wherein it was mentioned that Papuwa suffered a stroke sometime back, I went out to pay him a visit yesterday, Saturday 10th July, 2010. Since it was my first visit, I made effort to get in touch with him. After several attempts to reach him on phone proved abortive, you can imagine my fears. I then got in touch with Snr T Dick who was one of those that visited him earlier for directions. With the details I got, I proceeded to Umuchiakuma in Ihechiowa, Arochukwu LGA. Fellow Commandos, on arrival at his home town, I was misled by way of directions given me by some people I asked for the location of his house. Through divine providence, after I had gone down a valley in the rains for about a kilometer, I was redirected by a woman coming from the farm to go back up and re-enquire. This led me to the house of another Elder Uwakwe( who happens to be a brother of his). I say divine leading because through him I was able to meet with Papuwa where he has been on ADMISSIONS in another village Obinto, which took some 30 minutes ride on a Motorcycle. After introducing myself to Papuwa, he was so delighted and recalled with great joy the visit made by the first group (who incidentally met with him at his house in his village). Papuwa told me he has been on ADMISSION for over a month now. He also recalled my chat with him and of course went into introducing me to all other people around in his jovial manner, stating quite clearly too that I was his student while he taught in Command Secondary School, Jos – Plateau State, many years ago. My dear brothers and sisters, Papuwa has indeed reduced in size so much that he is presently as slim as I am… no thanks to the effect the stroke has had on him.His drugs are bought in Umuahia which is some 2-3 hours drive away. He was the one making the trip until he was taken in on admission. I learnt from the wife of the Doctor (as he is called) of the centre where Papuwa is undergoing care, that when he was brought in, Papuwa could not open his hands as his fingers maintained a closed fist position. Today, he welcomed me with a strong hand-shake. I want to believe that this is good progress for him. Not minding the AGE factor, he is still very coherent and so we should all be happy. There also was a walking stick by his bedside. So, I want to believe he still can walk with it as an aid… or probably being supported by anyone. Papuwa’s wife is permanently with him at the center. I took time to visit his house to know the place just in case. It showed every sign of not being habited in a long while. His car is however covered up and parked in front of the house. I have gotten directions to reach his first daughter whom I am told works here in Umuahia. The first son I learnt left the country over Ten (10) years ago and has since not returned. This I want to believe may have further affected Papuwa. I hold dearly the PRAISE showered on all of us as Command Secondary School, Jos, Old Students, by Papuwa and those I met. The truth mentioned is that Elder Eke Uwakwe left Command years ago and continued his service to retirement at Government Secondary School, Ikom. Proudly, I say this: We are the only ones who have sought him out and not only that, visited him on TWO (2) occasions. This has been noted by all around him and it is a BIG score for us. In the light of the above, what do we do as his former students (or if you agree with me: adopted children)? My immediate request: Can we raise some money between now and Friday for me to take to him as an immediate finance burden relief? This will in no small way be gratefully received. This does not foreclose the longer term arrangement that should be put in place to raise more. No amount I believe will be too little; as it is better we show our love now that he is alive and can truly appreciate it. By the way, the difficulty in reaching Papuwa on phone is due to the location of the care center. Secondly,the usual wahala of PHCN. He did complain about the battery running down quickly. Incidentally, that was why I could not reach him. Don’t forget his very wise words to us at assembly: “A CITY BUILT ON A HILL CANNOT BE HIDDEN”. Have you been affected by these words in any way? Let us all rise up to the occasion. Thanks. ANDREW ISIDAHOME AKHIDENOR ‘86 ADMISSION NUMBER: 549 REPUBLIC/TIGER/ ANNEX HOUSE 08066468837/ 08053467590 NB. i visited the daughter at her office yesterday afternoon and she was really delighted with our visits to her dad. na uwakwe uwakwe of '87 set. you can reach her on 08038161898. she is now mrs nene ezikpe.
