IT WAS NOT AN OVERSIGHT

I never knew what I stood to gain in life when destiny made it that I should be admitted into the Dennis Memorial Grammar School Onitsha. All I knew then was that my two senior cousins were students of the school. The first prize-giving day ceremony I witnessed was indeed a memorable one. What caught my attention mostly was when the profile of the lecturer for the day was being read: Prof Animalu a Professor of Physics whose profile took almost 30 minutes to complete (no exaggeration at all). And suddenly he appeared, so simple, soft spoken and very unassuming. When he took over the microphone and mounted the soapbox something told me I was in the right place.

After the prize-giving day (although I did not win any prize) I went back to the hostel with my shoulders high...my Principal Sir V.U Obidike made it clear to us that we were in the best of places, which he called DENGRAM VARSITY. Subsequent prize-giving days were something we eagerly waited for. When I and the management staff of the school picked Saturday the 15th day of July 2017 as the prize-giving day, we wanted a very low-key event, without grandeur. Little did we know that history would be made.

Few weeks before the day, so much has been received as gifts both cash and books. DOBANA sent in #1,085,000 scholarships and honours award. Beze Adogu (MD, PhD) gave both cash gifts of #300,000 and books. The class of 1975 gave the sum of #300,000. Dr Akpom donated #50,000. Mr Asomugha #10,000, Dr Onyebuchi Megafu #20,000. The Class of 1994 donated 98% of the books used that day. The class of 1996 gave the sum of #20,000, Barrister Nonso Ilondu #20,000, Dr Oraegbunam #5,000, Mr Kenechukwu Nwankwor #15,000, Ifedi #20,000, Nweke Bosah #10,000, C94 International 2 bags of rice to teachers and a mobile phone to the Principal and Mr Egbunike sent in 2 of his novels, Chidi Okekeozor...books and Class of 2005 books and #10,000 for the handicapped students. BYRON AGBASIMALO a box of books.

The day began with the normal 1 hour 30 mins service after which Barrister Obumse delivered a lecture on Integrity. It was nostalgic. The feelings I had 27 years ago as a young Dengramite was all over me. The day was electric and super charged. Fellow Dengramites, Seniors and juniors, on that fateful day, a student went home with the sum of #220,000. In her short speech, the Zonal Director of Education for Onitsha Zone said, "this could happen only in DMGS".

Fellow Dengramites, Seniors and juniors, I waited this long to give an appreciation, it was not an oversight, but a policy matter, I must report first to the School Management Board. We therefore wish to use this medium to say a big THANK YOU to the immediate past President of DOBA Sir Gibson Okeke who was there as the chairman of the occasion, Sir Prof Ilochi Okafor (SAN) the board chairman, members of the DMGS management board, donors and indeed all Dengramites, who in one way or the other made the day a memorable one. DMGS still challenges and inspires. Long may she live and may her children be great. Dengram Okosisi continue to rise and fall no more! Lux Fiat!

Rev Canon Chigozie Anieto,