GBHS B’da ex-students return to inspire younger ones

Loud cheers and ovation from over 600 high School students of Bamenda’s oldest government secondary Institution, GBHS Bamenda could be head from afar as the they greeted returning ex-students of the pioneer and second batches of students from that institution at the school auditorium on Friday December 19, 2014.

“We have come to see our Alma matter, but above all to inspire you towards a brighter future” Mr. Mathew Takwi, coordinator of the 1978 and 79 batch of ex-student told the students.

He went further to give a brief history of the school which started as Government Secondary School Bamenda in 1978 at the Old Town Neighbourhood before moving over to the Ntamulung Hill in 1979, and was subsequently transformed into Government Bilingual Secondary School Bamenda in 1979. The students greeted with loud cheers each of the august guest as they were presented from administrators in the school to creative writers and professors in Biomedicine.

The reunion between the past and present of GBHS Bamenda was also an opportunity to accustom the younger ones to a better career path in future.

Senior Custom Commander Acha Kennedy Ngu schooled them on employment opportunities that exist after high school particularly in the public sector with an emphasis on them to specialize in a field of study to widen their chances of picking a job easily.

Professor Nazarius Lamango from the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences oriented the students on ways to pursue a study in the USA. He advised them to take mathematics and English language seriously, be of good character and to score good grades if they intend to get a place in an American college or university. He also told them to make use of their time on the internet searching for opportunities, plan well and get a good recommendation letter and mentor.

Taking his queue, Mr Dohmatob Valentine Senior Health Technician and Director of the Military Nursing and Training School Bamenda presented a paper on HIV/AIDS, types, mode of transmission, prevention and abstinence as the key for students. Mrs. Agwetang Caroline of the Ministry of Water and Energy encouraged the girls to pursue their academic goals to the end, to be obedient, avoid deviant behavior and vulgar dressing and for the boys to encourage their parents to educate their sisters.

Speaking on creative writing and entrepreneurship, Mr Takwi of the Cameroon GCE Board pushed the students to develop their talents especially in writing which he say is his second job. He gave them practical guideline on how to work at the same time while making money from their talents.

Earlier, they had taken a guided tour of both campuses of the school, assessing for themselves some of the urgent needs of the institution.

Mr. Tangie Peter Suh Nfor, principal of GBHS Bamenda welcome the coming back of the ex-students and said he had written several appeal letters through the media for the ex-students to be more involved in the activities of the school and to constitute a strong Ex-student Association. Speaking to Bamenda Online after, Mr Tangie appealed to them to assist the school which is in need of infrastructure and teaching personnel.

For the pioneer and second batch of Ex-students they are aware of these challenges and are looking forward to rallying their mates to constitute a stronger force so as to do more for their Alma matter, Achu Kennedy said. He said they also intend to give the school a befitting play ground and to make the impact of the ex-student association felt in the school he continued.

This is not the first time ex-students of GBHS Bamenda have been involved in activities geared at improving conditions in the school. The 1989 exit class donated over 200 chairs, meanwhile there has been donations and scholarships given by other batches of ext-students.

Pa Forbi popularly known as “ Pa Lancee” a former teacher of the pioneer batch also turn up to grace the occasion. He expressed total satisfaction to see his students coming up to assist their alma matter.

Also amongst the ex-students were Nochia Moses, Mining petroleum Engineer, Angwafor, Agricultural Technician, Payne George, Cardiac expert, USA,and Mme Jacqueline Nebo and Caroline, presently Vice principals at St Micheal and GBHS Bamenda.