WRITTEN BY GEORGE ONWUANIBE

The history of Oraukwu Grammar School is that of remote beginning. For more than 30 years after the founding of DMGS, the school remained the only CMS secondary school in the old Diocese on the Niger, comprising the present-day Anambra, Enugu, and Imo States.

The situation remained until Mr. Eleazar Enemo highlighted the situation in a lecture he delivered in Awka in 1950 where the Nnokwa-born renowned educationist and school administrator awakened the consciousness of the Anglicans to the reality of the situation. When Pa Enemo became the Education Secretary of the CMS, Niger Diocese in 1954, he gave his energies to establishment of new schools.

This led to the establishment of Oraukwu Grammar School in 1959. It absorbed the facilities of the defunct Modern Girls’ Secondary School, Oraukwu, which was opened in 1958. ORAGRAM began as Anglican Grammar School, Oraukwu and later Oraukwu Grammar School.

In present day Anambra State, ORAGRAM belongs to second generation secondary school after the DMGS, the CKC and others. Oraukwu Grammar School is among reputable secondary schools in the State.

On Thursday, February 26, 1959, ORAGRAM opened officially with 46 students. The first two students were Ezue Christopher and Nwafor Angus. The founding Principal was Hezekiah Chiwuzie. The two founding junior staff were Messrs E.N. Mbonu and Alexander Ugwunze.

In the early years of ORAGRAM, the curriculum was tailored after that of Cambridge, otherwise called School Certificate. The founders valued the principles and practice of extra-curricular activities hence such activities as hair-cutting, book-binding, gardening, photography, envelop-making, etcetera were introduced. On March 1, 1959 the founding students attended their first Matins at Saint Thomas’ Anglican Church, Oraukwu.

Teaching of lessons began on March 2, 1959, while the volleyball and football fields were marked on March 9. On July 11, 1959, Oragram had her first outside football match which was between her class one boys and those of Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha. ORAGRAM won 3-1.

On January 18, 1961 ORAGRAM got six dormitories- (1) Azikiwe House, (2) Ekpunobi House, (3) Fisher House, (4) Niger House, (5) Patterson House and (6) Umunna House. The remaining two dormitories, Enemo House and Oraukwu House came in subsequent years.

At the end of the war in 1970, the government of the defunct East Central State took over the schools. Thus, Oraukwu Grammar School became Oraukwu High School. It is always remembered that during the Nigerian Civil war, Iyi-Enu Hospital, the Niger Diocesan medical centre at Ogidi, was relocated to Oraukwu Grammar School, where wounded defunct Biafran soldiers as well as sick civilians were catered for.

Looking back at ORAGRAM from the sixties till date, one affirms that the school has lived up to the lofty dreams of her founders. Products of Oraukwu Grammar School are today physicians, judges and lawyers, bishops, canons, professors, academics, legislators, captains of industry, business executives, engineers, bankers, pharmacists, surgeons, ambassadors and etcetera.

In the seventies, ORAGRAM boys had their share of fun on various social occasions. One recalls debating contests in which the students engaged their opponents, either as hosts or guests.  At the end, there was always the entertainment that offered relaxation.

One recalls the enthralling voices of lead vocalists of such musical outfits like “The Wings”, “Sweet Breeze”, Chief Stephen Osadebe and Celestine Ukwu. To the founders and old boys alike, ORAGRAM is a consummation of self-will legacy that see people through difficult but lofty times.

The Old Boys Association of Oraukwu Grammar School has been in existence, showing keen interest in ORAGRAM; answering the school’s calls in dire moments of need; supplementing the efforts of Oraukwu community and the Parent Teacher Association; complementing the efforts of Anambra State Government in upkeep of the school. Today, there are leading branches of the Old Boys Association in Onitsha, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja etcetera.

Programs to mark the sixty years anniversary will start Friday, April 19, 2019 by 3pm in the school compound for the Old boys’ get-together and Re-union. Celebration proper starts Saturday, April 20, 2019 with service at St Thomas Annex Chapel in the school compound by 10am. The hostels to be commissioned are Enemo and Ekpunobi houses. Another event is awards to deserving old boys.

We pay tribute to the heroes who made it possible for us to have Oraukwu Grammar School. We affirm that their vision and devotion are not in vain.

No related posts.