G.C. Onyeche, the foremost principal of HSU clocks 90.
2 min read
Chief G.C. Onyeche, a former iconic principal of High School Umuaka became a nonagenarian last week as he clocked 90 eventful years on earth. Judging from the picture Umuaka Times gathered last week, Chief Onyeche may have marked a low key birthday with his immediate family members in his home town Umudim in Ikeduru LGA of Imo State.
During his days at St Saviour’s High School Umuaka which spanned from the 70s till mid 80s, Chief Onyeche, a no nonsense man constantly had running battles with his students while trying to “implant” behavioural change mechanism in them. A good number of the students of St. Saviour’s High School Umuaka under the Onyeche years were said to be very stubborn, diabolical, fearless and physically strong to make a lesser mortal principal run mad. From indications so far gathered, Onyeche on his own part, was totally and unequivocally equal to any task the students brought on his table.
According to some sources that spoke to Umuaka Times about the highly principled Onyeche, the gentleman was fire and water combined. One particular former student clearly stated, “Onyeche was ready to give you either fire or water, depending on what you did. Remember, at several times, he confronted some highly stubborn students weapon to weapon and dared them to do their worst! In fact, Onyeche was indeed the man they couldn’t arrest!”
As time flies, the highly powerful Onyeche has turned 90 years after swimming in the troubled waters of grooming Nigerian teenagers and youths into manhood. According to some former students who paid him a social visit a couple of years ago, his voice never changed and he was still a man with deep charisma.
“He still has his good command of English and his sharp eyes and brain are all in working conditions,”
From a video Umuaka Times watched a couple of years ago, Chief Onyeche was seen advising his “sons” from the former St. Saviour’s High School, now High School Umuaka to continue to be of good behaviour in the society. He seems to have deep love for them any time he sees them.
A prominent lawyer in the country who was one of the students that gave Chief Onyeche a tough time as a student recently disclosed thus to Umuaka Times: “Chief Onyeche remains the most interesting disciplinarian I have ever come across in my life. He can use any available tool to discipline you when you go wrong. I am happy to announce it openly today that without him, I would have been nobody. Happy birthday to you sir.”
It is also worthy to note that most of the stubborn boys Onyeche was chasing up and down during their secondary school days are today captains of industry, medical doctors, successful businessmen, diplomats, lecturers, pastors, engineers and more. Umuaka Times wishes you, Chief G.C Onyeche a happy birth and many more years ahead.
