Great Commandos!!!
What started as an imagination, a challenge and a motivation @ the start of
this decade led to the 1st conference call of almost 30 commandos in
continental USA and Canada convened by Mary Tombiri-Ero (85) and Dennis Iyelih
(84), and subsequently COJOSA-North America was born. 7 months later we
successfully held our 1st annual convention and reunion in Austin, Texas.
The success can neither be separated from the energy and ambition of Mary,
Dennis and Nina Bako Mary-Osifo (89), nor from the passion of Yomi Olusanya
(88) who made financial contribution far above the baseline. Credit also to
Raji Mustapha (83), George Odiong Asuquo (83), Emeka Kiszo Ugokwe (85) and
Stella Nelson who could not make it with their presence, however thought it
right to make significant monetary contributions.
The determination of Femi Omole (88) and Amanda Bose Nwankwo (87) who missed
their transit flights from Los Angeles and Atlanta, but were bent on getting to
Austin even if it were on a "horse back". Christy Abebe Ogwude (88) and Tony
Ojoh-"Nduka" (88) had to drive through the night even when the GPS and
Mapquest had planned to sabotage their excitement. Sure!!!! I was not going to
miss my 7 am flight out of Nashville. If I needed to hit 90miles/hr to get to
the airport or jump the security queue to get on board???? So be
it!!!!----Commandos are meeting please!!! Hellooooooo!!!!!
Austin was business and was fun. Tola Adekunle Sanusi (85) was excellently
professional. Made sure we all had name badges and programme booklets. We
adopted one of the best constitutions around, elected the smartest officers on
a non-zonal basis and raised some money towards a project for our alma mater.
Much of the credit on the success of the "banquet nite" goes to Mary's husband:
Paul Ero; a non-commando, who went above and beyond to act as our social
prefect and to Nana Musa (84) a commando from Ibadan who not only travelled
hundreds of miles from Maryland but had the unique job of the M.C. and fund
raiser.
We were treated with music of the late 70s and 80s. It was exciting watching
Commandos do the "soul train" moves and Femi Omole do a perfect "Jos Puppet
Dance". Overall, Tony had the best fun. Food and drinks were in excess: there
was no need for "Action". We were neither limited by tribal nor religious, nor
ego, nor senior-junior mentality. We listened and applauded one another as each
gave a brief of his/her story post-command and did not forget to honour
departed commandos/teachers/pioneer principal. We wouldn't have been complete
without Adewale Okunoren and Olumide Olusanya of the 90s and 2000s sets.
Austin 2010 was a celebration of strength in unity of purpose, mind-set for
excellence and desire to be efficient. It was the outcome on dedication,
cooperation and team work.
Congratulations COJOSA--NorthAmerica.
Fired up for Atlanta 2011. Eleven "miles" to drive ( ooops!!! 11 months)
Ugo Ben (Class of 82)
A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public
opinion....Grantland Rice
