My Dear Commandos, I opened my mail this morning and read all the mails on this Subject and l have mixed feelings. My own question is ..... 'What Is The Fuss About?' Someone recently asked 'Can the Real Commandos Please Stand Up'. Well my friend l have been standing like an Iroko Tree for the past 10years, and l know am not alone in this Voyage. You may have passed out from CSSJ but that those not make you a member of Command Secondary School Jos Alumni Association (aka COJOSA) a duly registered Association, a legal body that can sue and be sued. There is a Big Difference between an Ex - Student and COJOSA Alumni. While the Ex- Student is excited and talks majorly about how good/bad school days was, the Alumni is excited and talks majorly about how to improve his/her beloved Alma Mater, and assist his fellow alumni. The former dwell in the past while the latter is conscious of the present and plans for the future. Note that some ex-students may even hate attending CSSJ and are yet to forgive their Parents/guardians in this regard, some have very bad memories about CSSJ, some are even hiding from their former school and class mates. Have you not heard or experienced a situation whereby you meet an ex-student and introduce yourself and the person snubs you. Some will even beg you not to tell others you saw them. My message to the Real Commandos (Registered and financially committed members of the Alumni - through the branches/chapters) is'keep your head up'. Be proud of what you are. A generous man/woman is defined as the person who from the little he/she has still makes the sacrifice to give more. A group of 10 lions is far better than that of a 100 pigs. There is a scene in the Movie '300', where the Spartans numbered just 300 and their allies where about 3 times their number, but at the end of the day only the Spartans brought soldiers to war. Membership of the Alumni is voluntary. Are we begging anyone to belong?, to give back to their school,l hope NOT. I am personally interested in COJOSA, my kids talk about COJOSA, l have given my time, resources,etc to COJOSA gladly and passionately and no one can take that joy from me. When l feel down and need some sort of motivation, l watch the video of '88 set presentation of Computers to CSSJ in 2009 and all is well. I recall words of appreciation and encouragement from teachers, classmates, schoolmates etc, and l am motivated to do more. I have a COJOSA Commendation Plaque which l have proudly displayed in my office. Our problem have always been our inability to distinguish between these 2 groups of persons. Hence when serious issues are to be discussed people that have no stake, no interest will open their mouths and mess the whole thing up. People who have never put 1kobo nor shown any physical presence in their branch activities, who have left CSSJ for ages & have not bothered to visit the school despite the opportunities they have and asked what can 1 do for CSSJos? Some even think that those of us with the interest (Real Commandos) are 'show -offs' or 'money miss road' or 'busy bodi'. Thats their business and opinon. These are the people who want to divide us, they have never accomplished anything in their lives and want us to be failures too. We must say no to their evil intentions. This is a new year, a new dawn for COJOSA. Are you interested? Then get registered in your local chapter, fill the form, pay your dues. Enough is enough we have accomodated unserious people for too long. This is a Clarion call to all the branch excos world wide to seize the initiative. This is your era, if COJOSA fails is because we let it. Am calling on the leadership of all the branches in Nigeria to work together to make this possible. My Suggestions 1. The Real Commandos - To identify these group of persons l suggest that a new yahoogroup be developed for Registered and financially active members of the Association as updated through recognised branches. Yes we should continue to advertise our meetings and activities to all. But non-members will come as observers until the fulfil the requirements for membership. Subscription to the gruop will be based on your financial standing with your branch. However certain sets canbe exempted. In short we need to have a unique internet group, focus our attention on this group of people noting that the best way to market a product is through the testimonies of the end users. 2. Activities - We should be able to plan projects, set targets and timelines and achieve them with the (un)limited resources at our disposal. Broadcast these activities and the successes recorded for prosperity. 3. The Nigeria National Executive - Without a doubt, this is the KOKO of the matter. We need to setup this National Exco. How? I have made this suggestion before but l need to elaborate. An interim National exco should be formed by the notable branches in Nigeria comprising of 2 members from each branch/chapter (eg. the Chairman & Secretary). Interim in the sense that they will be charged with the assignment of providing COJOSA Nigeria with a working Constitution. Note that NA and UK/Ireland have their own Constitution in view of their locality. Once this document is prepared a National Convention can be arranged to adopt the document as our Nigerian Constitution. 4. Board Of Trustees - This body should comprise of 2 members each (President & Secretary)from each of the zones (Nigeria, NA and UK/Ireland) which will form the COJOSA GLOBAL/WORLDWIDE. This will be the highest decision making body of COJOSA. They will coordinate and determine our affairs globally. The Zones will be answerable to the Board while the branches/chapters will be answerable to their respective zones. The Board will approve all projects meant for the school and letters to government agencies based on the advise of the zones concerned ,and push the zones to act in unison to achieve a mutual purpose. Note that such a move will stem the disunity and unnecessary rivalry been exhibited today. For instance assuming the INtervention fund was the brain child of any chapter or zone, they would seek the approval of the Board before it can be taken as a policy/decision of COJOSA. The zones can act on behalf of the Board when express approval is given in this regard. The Board will act in consideration to the laws pertaining to all the 3 zones and work a fine line in this regard. Decisions canbe taken by simple majority vote. Issue Of Respect This is a knoty issue. Except we have an established code of conduct then all we can plead is that all wordings should be as civil and polite as possible. We must all realize that we are all seniors in our own rights. Discipline is part of our heritage and l see no problem here. However, when reacting to the views of others individuals we should take a deep breath and focus on the issue and not the person (s). If you feel comfortable calling me Tony or Snr.Tony l have no problem with that but dont dare call me JNR.TONY Best Regards Tony Akhidenor '88 Set President COJOSA Abuja PS. The above ismy personal views and suggestion and not that of COJOSA Abuja Chapter.
________________________________ From: Wale Olatunde <[email protected]> To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, January 25, 2013 10:44 AM Subject: Re: [Jos Commandos] Letter 20 - The Foolishness in Writing Good day all and a great year I believe it will be for us all. I believe Frank Agbagidi is on point with all he has said especially with a known fact that 'NO COMMAND JOS, NO COJOSA'. I believe we can achieve greatness UNITED. Lets chart a united course towards achieving that. Regards, Wale Olatunde '91 Sent from my iPhone On Jan 25, 2013, at 1:23, frank godwin <[email protected]> wrote: > > >Dear Great Commados! >i am really dumb founded and really lack the appropriate words to express how >i feel with the direction of which our Great Alumni is heading . >Rather than benefit from the strength of our unity in divercity, it appears >some of us would rather we are divided in our unity. >Lagos, Abuja, UK, US and all branches as the case may be, we seem to forget >that no COMMAND JOS, NO COJOSA! Irrespective of Chapter's. So, rather than >galvernize our strength by unifying towards the values that should make the >Center proud, the very basis for our co-existence as an Alumni, we now want to >develop our seperate units as far as possible from the very Center. >My humble advice! Attached is the Proposed Constitution of COJOSA as it were >for our digestion and action, both locally or globaly. It is either we take a >good look at that which seems to bring us together, with a view of making >amendments or adaptions that would chart the way forward for us as a ONE >UNITED entity with a focus and sense of direction. >Every one's contribution seem's to make sense to me, one way or the other. >Even if some appears to be nonsense, atleast in some nonsense, there could >still be some senses. We should endevoure to see the senses in each others >'nonsense'. >Frank Agbagidi 88 > > >________________________________ > From: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> >To: [email protected] >Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2013 9:22 PM >Subject: Re: [Jos Commandos] Letter 20 - The Foolishness in Writing > > >What more can we say! Topsy you have said it all. Please do not be tired in >pursuing a united COJOSA. Adam, though we are set mates, I have great respect >for you, continue with what you are doing. I have decided long before now to >associate with the progressives!We would get there some day and I hope very >soon!Tunde OkikioluClass of 86 >Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone provided by Airtel Nigeria. > >________________________________ > >From: Babatope Ojo <[email protected]> >Sender: [email protected] >Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2013 21:00:37 +0100 >To: [email protected]<[email protected]> >ReplyTo: [email protected] >Cc: cssjos<[email protected]> >Subject: Re: [Jos Commandos] Letter 20 - The Foolishness in Writing > > >Hmmm. Very thought provoking. Very sad indeed. The reality stings hard. This >is the sad reality plaguing us today. The question really is why can't we >organize ourselves, despite our intellectual base and capacities? Does it mean >that we really do not care or what? I see one or two chapter trying hard to >organize themselves. However in-fighting and trivial sentiments ever abound, >tearing them apart. >I chose to stay away for the singular reason that we are all talk and no >spine! What happened to the Intervention Fund? I had to refund the monies I >collected from only two of my set mates when everything stopped. The initial >"gra gra" that greeted the noble idea fizzled away before you could say CSSJ. >Why? Why are we like this? The efforts of those that mean to contribute their >little quota keeps getting frustrated each time. >John, I feel your pain. I share in your frustrations. I share in your hopes >and aspirations for a virile and united COJOSA. >The question still remains how do we turn things around? How do we get >ourselves thoroughly organized? How do we stop the competition and rather >focus on integration and synergy to take our association to the next level? >I once wrote a piece in 2006 during the run up to the 2007 general elections >on the role of the Nigerian youth in the elections in particular. I was >shocked that no one said anything about that article. For weeks on end what >occupied our discourse was garri and how we used to sneak out to Farin Gada >and all that. >If the truth must be told, we must change in order not to fail ourselves and >the younger generation. We are the pride of Command. We didn't get there by >accident, we are known to be diligent, disciplined and visionary. We must all >refocus this new year. All sleeping branches need wake up and get going again. >Our efforts at "rebuilding" Command must not be allowed to waste or die just >like that. Arise O compatriots, let us make our association great. Let us >stand together and challenge ourselves towards achieving a common goal this >year. We should resuscitate the idea of having a national exco that will help >galvanize the efforts of the local branches while collaborating with the >branches in diaspora aimed towards the realization of rebuilding a united >Command Jos Alumni Association. >According to the words of John, "let the real Commandos stand up"!!! >God bless you all and make this year your most successful ever. God bless >Command Jos. >Regards, >Topsy. >Class of 88. > > >On Jan 24, 2013, at 19:28, Sagai John Adam <[email protected]> wrote: > >>----------- >>P.M.B. 2250 >>----------- >>A Series of 20 Letters espousing Ideas, Strategies and (atimes Bitter) Home Truths to Alumni of Command Secondary School Jos. >> >>From Adam John (1986 Set, Tiger House) >> >> >> >> >>=============== >> >> >>"THE MAN WHOSE LUCK WAS ASLEEP" >> >> >> >>A man who worked hard but always stayed poor decides to look for a wise man (a hermit on a far off mountain) to ask why he must endure poverty. He sets off in a hurry. >> >>Along the way he met a wolf who hunted long and hard but was always hungry. >> >>The wolf asks that he ask the wise man how long till his stomach is filled. >> >>Then he met a beautiful maiden who was young, fair, rich, but very unhappy. >> >>She asks him to ask the wise man how long till she finds true happiness. >> >>Then he encounters a dried up tree by a river. It asks him to ask the wise man how long till its roots find water and its leaves turn green. >> >>When he finds the wise man he makes his complaints and gets an answer. >> >>"Your luck has been asleep - but now it is waking up. Go find and enjoy it." >> >>He also got answers to the other three requests. >> >>The Tree is told a buried pot of gold is blocking its roots. The Tree begs him to dig it up, but he is in a hurry to find his luck. >> >>The maiden is told she needs a kind man who will be a good companion. She begs him to marry her, but he is in a hurry to find his luck. >> >>The wolf is met again and the man tells of the wise man, the tree and the maiden. "But what of my request?" The wolf asks. "You will find a foolish man, eat him and never hunger again!" >> >>The wolf replies - "Where will I find a more foolish man than you?" and ate him up. >> >>Obviously some people don't know luck when they see it. >> >> >> >>Source: Tashjian's “Once there was and was Not”. >> >>=============== >> >> >> >> >>Letter 20 of 20, January 25, 2013 >> >> >> >> >>Dear Commando, >> >> >>THE FOOLISHNESS IN WRITING. >> >> >>It’s 30th of December 2012. My birthday. >> >>The felicitations are pouring in via SMS and Facebook. >> >>I smiled at this one: >> >>Oluwaseun Osewa wrote on your Timeline. 30 December 2012 at 19:19 >>Happy birthday, big bro. Thanks once again for your assistance in 2005. >>----- >> >>Who is Oluwaseun Osewa? >>What assistance in 2005? >> >>Seun Osewa owns Nigeria’s most popular website/forum nairaland.com with over 1 million members as at 23 January 2013. When you count the top 5 internet entrepreneurs operating from Nigeria, Seun will be on it. >> >> >>What about the 2005 bit? >> >>Here is what Seun said in an interview by http://www.cp-africa.com/: >>-------QUOTE------ >> >>...I created 3 forums in November 2003 >>(one for higher institution students, >>one for IT discussions, and one to >>cover the emerging GSM industry; >>the Mobile Nigeria Forum at >>MobileNigeria.com). >> >>The Mobile Nigeria Forum took off, so I >>relaunched it in February 2005 with the >>assistance of Mr. John Sagai Adams, who >>posted a link to the forum on his mailing list >>and participated enthusiastically in those >>early days. >> >>Other mobile enthusiasts like Mr. Yomi Adegboye >>pitched in to make the site a success. In a month >>or so, the forum had about 300 members, but the >>growth potential didn’t satisfy me... >> >>-------END OF QUOTE----- >> >> >> >>The mailing list he was referring to was an electronic magazine (or e-Zine) called GSM Today that I had the pleasure of publishing weekly between 2002 and 2006. It covered the emerging telecommunications space in Nigeria at the time. >> >>It was in those years that I developed my writing. >> >>Writing taught me to research. >>Writing taught me humour. >>Writing made me unafraid... to write. >> >> >>Writing has also given me bragging rights, like the Seun Osewa’s case. How many Nigerians can say they had a hand in helping the biggest internet personality in Nigeria? >> >>Oh, and one other benefit: >>Writing EVERY week for all those years is what helped me to deliver the 19 Letters of PMB 2250 between September 2012 and December 2012. >> >> >>THE FOOLISH WRITER? >> >>While I can harp on and on about how writing has been good to me, it is not the complete story. >> >>Writing should lead to a desired action or reaction. >> >>It should inspire. >>It should annoy. >>It should motivate. >>It should lead to change. >> >>When it comes to writing about the Jos Commandos Alumni experience (I am tempted to say experiment) I have not been silent. >> >>Sadly, I have been the sole, hoarse, lonely, voice. >> >>The ranting fool. >> >>From my first “essay” titled, “Where are the REAL Commandos” way back in 2004 to these 20 Letters of the PMB 2250 Series in 2012, I have complained, complained and complained that Jos Commandos are under-performing. >> >>In that first essay I thundered: “JOS COMMANDOS HAVE FAILED.” I then predicted that, “... AT THE PRESENT COURSE AND VELOCITY, WE WILL ONLY GROW INTO OLD MEN AND WOMEN WHO NEVER FULFILLED THEIR POTENTIAL.” >> >>In the follow up, “Part 2 - 101 Questions”, I was fed up and said so in clear terms. Not withstanding my frustrations, I outlined many powerful questions that should provoke change. After the 2 essays of 2004, I went silent from anything COJOSA for one full year. >> >>By the time COJOSA was celebrating her 30th Anniversary in 2007, I wrote in “Command Jos @ 30 – Our Darkest Hour”: >> >>“Oh, how I hate anniversaries sometimes. >>I hate anniversaries because they compel me to >>reflect and judge my performance. >>Birthdays are usually a time of >>accountability. >> >>The tough questions at stare at you: >>< <Command Constitution-2.doc>
