A two time Senator in the Fourth Republic Professor Jonathan Zwingina has advocated the need for Alumni associations to establish platforms for career development, statutory contributions and infrastructure development at their Alma Mater to ensure academic excellence.
The Fourth Republic Senator made ths call in a paper titled “The Bond of Alma Mater during the Golden Jubilee of 1974 Class of Government Secondary School Garu Old Boys in Bauchi.
Senator Jonathan Zwingina represented by Ambassador Ibrahim Fada Kasai stressed the need for alumni associations to strive towards developing their alma mater through financial support, educational awards and infrastructure development such as construction of hostels, library, assembly halls among others.
He used the forum to commend Bauchi State government for its plan to construct a permanent school for the alma mater and the 1974 set for it sympathy and empathy to one another.
Earlier, the President Garu Old Boys Association Alhaji Uba Kari who said the association was established in 2019 after years of struggle, stressed the need for members to establish States’ chapters for unity and progress of the Alma Mater.
In a welcome address, the Chairman Garu 1974 Set Alhaji Isa Jibrin who said in over fifty years together, the set has kept in touch by visiting the sick, and supporting ethe less endowed financially and otherwise.
Alhaji Isa Jibrin said with a 159 overall class population, 63 members are now deceased and 96 alive to witness the memorable occasion.
Also Speaking, the Chairman Board of Trustee of the association and Emir of Misau Alhaji Ahmad Sulaiman represented by his deputy Alhaji Gambo Magaji urged members to contribute towards the sustainance of the Secretariat.
In a vote of thanks, a member of the 1974 set and Former Head of Service Gombe State Alhaji Usman Ahmed appreciated the effort of Governor Bala Muhammad and all those that contributed to the success of the event.
About fifty members of the set including others as far as 1964 graced the celebration.
Abubakar Baba Ahmed