By Michael Oche
Former General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), John Odah, has emerged President of the Mount Saint Michael’s Secondary School Aliade Old Boys’ Association (AOBA), with a call for collective action to rescue the 73-year-old institution from deteriorating infrastructure and other challenges.
Odah, a member of the 1978 set, was elected at a Special National Convention of the association held on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at the school premises in Aliade, Benue State.
In his acceptance speech, the former NLC General Secretary called on members of the association’s branches and sets across the country to mobilise and work together to address the challenges facing the school.
He said he had personally inspected the school and witnessed its deplorable condition, pledging to work with the new executive to give the institution a new facelift.
The school’s Principal, Rev. Fr. Moses Orti, had earlier appealed to the old boys to urgently intervene in the rehabilitation of the institution, identifying dilapidated staff quarters and students’ dormitories, encroachment on school land, inadequate water and electricity supply, and the reconstruction of St Luke’s House as major areas requiring attention.
Orti said the condition of the staff quarters and students’ dormitories required urgent intervention to ensure that teachers and students lived and learned in a safe and conducive environment.
He also expressed concern over encroachment on the school’s extensive land and property, stressing the need to protect the institution’s assets for future development.
The principal further called for sustainable solutions to the school’s water and electricity challenges, as well as support for the reconstruction of St Luke’s House, which was gutted by fire.
He described AOBA as an important catalyst for the development and modernisation of the school, founded in February 1953 and noted for producing people who have contributed to the development of Benue State and Nigeria.
Odah’s emergence comes with his extensive experience in organised labour, where he was involved in mobilisation, advocacy, representation and collective action.
The new AOBA leadership is expected to leverage the association’s nationwide network of branches and sets to mobilise human and material resources towards the rehabilitation and development of the school.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr Pius Ochefu, also urged members to take collective responsibility for the state of the institution.
Ochefu called on delegates to inspect the deteriorating infrastructure and work together towards specific improvements in the school.
The convention also received the report of the National Caretaker Committee, which reviewed the circumstances leading to its constitution by the Board of Trustees, its activities and outstanding responsibilities for the incoming executive.
The report called for renewed commitment by branches and sets, emphasising the importance of a strong organisational structure to the success of the new administration.
An electoral committee headed by the immediate past National Vice President, Mr Gabriel Labe, conducted the election.
Other members of the new National Executive Council are Michael Awange, Vice President; Samuel Yina, National Secretary; Michael K. Ogwuche, Assistant National Secretary; Anthony I. Oyih, National Treasurer; Ito Andrew, National Financial Secretary; Elijah Agaku, National Publicity Secretary; Ogo M. Otegwu, National Social Secretary; Pastor Guda J. Mishi, National Auditor; Mark G. Ibiem, National Legal Adviser; and Dr Emmanuel T. Amon, National Provost.
The new president thanked delegates who travelled from different parts of the country for the confidence reposed in the new executive and pledged to justify the mandate.
His election coincided with the feast of St Michael the Archangel, the school’s patron saint.
In a message delivered on behalf of the Bishop of Makurdi, Most Rev. Dr Wilfred Anagbe, Rev. Fr. Vitalis Ioryue urged the old boys to emulate St Michael as protectors of the school, their communities and the values of peace, integrity and progress.
A High Mass preceded the convention at the school chapel.
This version keeps the tone straight and reportorial, while making the school’s infrastructure challenges the main context for Odah’s new mandate.
