WRITTEN BY DON ONYENJI

Founded in 1958, Saint John’s College, Alor is sixty this year. The school, known today as Saint John’s Science and Technical College, Alor, is one of Nigeria’s pre- independence first generation Secondary Schools, famous for its academic excellence and sporting activities, especially football.
A motion for establishing the school was moved by an Alor indigene, Chief Alphonsus Ndulue, then a school teacher, who, during a meeting of Alor Catholic community, asked them to approach the then Catholic Education Secretary, Reverend Father Jordan for the establishment of a teacher’s training college. The motion was eventually amended in favour of a full-fledged college, mandating Late Chief P.N Okeke to negotiate with the Catholic mission authority and government.
The school started in earnest and till date has produced very successful personalities, including a former Governor of Anambra State and current Minister of Labour And Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, his brother, Emeka Ngige (SAN) as well as a former Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement, Engineer Emeka Eze among others.
The school, which had nine dormitory blocks and a down-hill topography and surviving the ruins of the war, has turned into a masterpiece of a sight with solid structures dawning the environment, earning it the soubriquet ‘University in the Valley’. The school is one of those handed back to the missionaries by the State Government, in this case, under the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha.
With a population of about one thousand students, Saint John’s, Alor is doing very well academically and in moulding students in character and in learning. As a technical school, some designated technical subjects, including Fabrication and Welding as well as Electrical installation and Maintenance practice, guarantee the future for the students. The students manufacture paints and paint the entire environment themselves. They also construct welding work, including doors and Windows and handle their electrical among others.
The Old Boys Association has been a consistent strong pillar behind the school. At a time when the entire schools faced devastating dilapidation, the Old Boys continued intervention visitations by mobilizing their members. They embarked on the construction of drainages to check threatening erosion and erected fences.
The nine dormitories, which had fallen so bad and taken over by rodents, were picked up one by one by some Old Boys who rebuilt, transformed and got them named after each benefactor. Some of the past presidents of the old boys include Chief Anthony Nwabineli, Chief Eddy Ngige, Chief Pan Okafor and the current President, Dr Cyprian Afunugo. Senator Dr Chris Ngige (OON) constructed roads in the state, including the one which leads to Alor and other towns, passing through the school. He upgraded the school’s status and has written his name in gold.
The celebration of the school’s Diamond Jubilee started earlier in the year with various programmes, including workshops and talk shows for the students, where the students were fed sumptuously at the occasion which also marked the patron’s day celebration (the feast of St. John).
To cap it up, the Old Boys and their guests will be treated to the finals of the inter house football competition on Friday, November 2, 2018, while on the next day, Saturday 3rd November, the main event will feature a Pontifical Mass to be celebrated by the Arch Bishop of Onitsha Ecclesiastical province, Most Rev. Dr. Valerian Okeke. Thereafter, award of honour to some Old Boys who have distinguished themselves in given back to the school and supporting the Old Boys Association. There will also be prizes to best students in various subjects, cultural entertainment among others.
Governor Willie Obiano is expected as chief guest of honour. Other special guests are: the chief host, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke; Senator Chris Ngige, Chief Victor Umeh, Prof. Kate Omenugha while the host is the National President of the Old Boys Association, Dr Cyprian Afunugo.
Surely Alor community will bubble as the great Old boys of the St. John’s College, Alor stage an exciting home coming. Already, the great old boys are feeling mobilized looking forward to exchanging banters with their classmates they last saw decades ago.

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