In a jubilant gathering, members of the Kuru Old Students Association (KOSA) Set 83 convened to commemorate their 40th Anniversary since graduating in 1983. The monumental event took place at the assembly hall of the Government Science Secondary School Kuru in Plateau State on Saturday, December 2nd, and saw the presence of Set 83 alumni, distinguished guests, KOSA members, and current students.
Ambassador Bagudu Hirse, Nigeria’s former envoy to Namibia and the event’s chairman, fondly reminisced about his early days at the school, emphasizing its academic excellence. He urged the alma mater to strive towards restoring the institution to its former glory.
Dahiru Liman, the Coordinator for KOSA 83 Set, warmly welcomed attendees and nostalgically recounted their reception as teenagers in September 1978. Liman emphasized how the school’s culture, aligned with the motto “Discipline and Hardwork,” prepared them for integration into Nigerian society, contributing expertise to various sectors.
Highlighting Set 83’s achievements since 2016, Liman listed renovations to the dining hall, provision of kitchen utensils, furniture, and rehabilitation of electric/gas cooking facilities amounting to ₦6,200,000. Other accomplishments included a school feeding program (₦3,846,000) and provision of sporting kits (₦820,000). The set also collaborated with Union Bank on initiatives such as establishing an E-library, capacity building for school staff, and banking literacy enlightenment for students.
Representing the Plateau State Governor, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, Honorable Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Bashir Lawandi Datti, acknowledged the administration’s awareness of schools’ challenges and outlined plans for upgrades, including the Science School in Kuru.
Expressing joy at reconnecting with schoolmates after four decades, Douglas Nyoja, a Set 83 member, voiced concern about the school’s subpar facilities and education quality. He called for a comprehensive overhaul and emphasized the need for collaboration with stakeholders, including Alumni Associations and the government.
Prof Patricia Lar, the guest speaker, delivered a lecture on the anniversary’s theme, “The Role of Alumni Association in Sustaining Development in its Alma Mater.” She underscored the importance of functional alumni in supporting sustainable educational systems.
The pinnacle of the anniversary was marked by the commissioning of the renovated table tennis room with new tables by KOSA 83, the presentation of 6,000 books and pens, and a mentoring session for students on “The Path of Career.” Outstanding alumni, including Dcn Fentola from KOSA Set 63, were also honored with awards.