G-86: A keynote address from President Ansalem Nnaji.
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It is with utmost humility that I welcome you all to the 2nd Edition of the National Convention Ceremony of G-86 HSU International today being the 6th day of January, 2023.G-86: A keynote address from President Ansalem Nnaji.
Unfortunately, the 2nd Edition of the National Convention which we are happily witnessing today suffered a setback due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It should be recalled that the COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the Corona virus pandemic was a global pandemic of Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome, Corona virus 2 (SARS- CoV-2) which was first identified in an outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019. Resultantly, attempts to curtail the outbreak there in China failed, allowing the virus to spread to other areas of Asia and later worldwide necessitating the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on 30th January 2020, and a pandemic on 11th March 2020. As of 5th January 2023, the pandemic had caused more than 662 million cases and 6.7 million confirmed deaths, making it one of the deadliest in history.
However, once more, we are happy to celebrate the fact that G-86 and our respective families being “umu Chineke” were completely shielded by His blood and not even a single soul was lost despite very many of our members’ direct exposure in the health sector both at home and the Diaspora. We are eternally grateful to God Almighty for his wonderful mercies through those challenging times.
On another note, it is pertinent to mention that on the morning of our inaugural Convention held on the 6th of January, 2019, we visited our alma mater, met with the School Principal and handed over equipments donated by classmates and equally outlined during the Convention, series of projects to be executed but the entire developmental exercise were truncated by the shocking news of full acquisition, renaming and conversion of the School into Technical College by the government. Efforts made by the missionaries and high net worth old boys proved abortive. However, the debacle and brouhaha arising from the above acquisition gave birth to an ultra modern brand new St Saviors’ Secondary School located at Amiyi Umuaka, Njaba LGA. As time progresses, I am sure we shall look into the structural functionality of the new chapter.
Apart from the foregoing, G-86 as a corporate entity has successfully crossed the murky waters of vicissitudes of time in ensuring that membership grows from strength to strength. We continued to extend our olive branches to members in times of needs and celebrations alike. This has broadly extended our camaraderie as can be obviously attested to by all today.
The journey so far for G-86 cannot be complete without appreciating the immense contributions of members of this great body in several ways. of particular mention is the “Diasporians”, you guys have painstakingly ensured that G-86 towers above its peers. A special thank you message goes to members of the several ad hoc Committees over the years, especially the G-86 Constitution Review Committee and the 2023 Convention Organizing Committee, without you we cannot be seated in this palatial edifice today enjoying our selves. Finally, we must appreciate the resilience and tenacity of the G-86 Finance Team and the National Executive Officers, these guys have made sure that the finances of the association is on a speedy growth trajectory.
In peroration, constitutionally, the tenure of the present National Executive Committee terminates at the end of today’s National Convention This will give rise to the dissolution of the National Executive Committee and General Elections. With the benefit of hindsight, however, we advise the House to take due cognizance of the locations of the Candidates during nominations for positions, for ease of day to day operations of the Association and governance.
On behalf of myself, my respected colleagues on the Outgoing National Exco and the National Convention Planning Committee, I thank you for your cooperation and support over the past three years and wish the incoming EXCO even greater success.
We have left no stone unturned to guarantee a sumptuous menu for today. Shall we now invite everyone to sit back and have a wonderful National Convention. Double plate is allowed.
We appreciate your presence and wish you journey mercy at the end of the Convention.
Yours faithfully,
Comrade Anselem Uzoma Nnaji (JP).
President, G-86 HSU International.
