COCOSA: Perennial flooding facing College of Commerce, a challenge to Govt, Community, COCOSA- Ederhi

Picture of the flooded College

"The perennial flooding and decrepit environment facing the great institution is a challenge to all old student including the Federal and State Governments as well as Igbudu Community where it is situated"....Ederhi.

The National President of College Of Commerce Warri old student Association,COCOSA, Mr. Patrick Ederhi Esq today said the perennial flooding and decrepit environment facing the great institution is a challenge to all old student including the Federal and State Governments as well as Igbudu Community where it is situated.

The legal practitioner made the assertion during a speech he delivered at the 75th anniversary of the College which held at BB Hotel, Warri.

The president urged the traditional rulers and government officials to partner with the old students Association to make the school greater. 

He stressed the need for the old students in all parts of the federation to form branches of this Association.

He called on members of the old student association and the state government to join hands to savaged the college from its challenges.

"The college of commerce Warri  formerly Untied College of Commerce. First of all, have to give special thanks to God Almighty for bringing to reality, the celebration of this great event. I see the hand of God in the celebration of our 75th year Anniversary. I give special thanks to the planning committee for a job well done.

"The perennial flooding and decrepit environment is a challenge to all of us here present. Let us all partner with the old students Association to make this school greater. There is also the need for those of us in various parts of the country to form branches of this Association."

While noting that the College of Commerce, Warri was founded in 1946 by Chef Barrister Edward Gbagbeke Sido and Chief Joseph Ighoavodha Kagho-Omomadia JP, KSC, both of blessed memory,Ederhi said,"I want to extol the vision of our Founders. They were indeed great men who sacrificed their time, energy and resources to create wealth for generations unborn, may their departed souls continue to find eternal rest in the bosom of the Lord.

"College of Commerce has for the past 75 years transformed the lives of uncountable men and women both in Character and in learning. 

"The structure of discipline and strict adherence to values which I experienced as a young boy from 1977 to 1982 undoubtedly transformed me and many other life’s and moulded us to the person we are today. 

"I am sure my respected Seniors and juniors till date will have the same testimony and even more to share. 

"I want to give kudos to the various Principals and Teachers from inception till date who gave their all and sacrificed so much to transform our lives. 

"To the Principals and Teachers of this great institution who have departed this world to the great beyond, I pray that their souls shall continue to find eternal rest in the bosom of the Lord."

He also said it is time to look out for the Principals and Teachers who are still alive with a view to celebrate them and make them feel comfortable. 

"This great institution right from inception has opened doors and given istas of opportunities to young men and women to actualize their dreams and achieve their God-given destinies. 

"Some of our old students rose up to become leaders in Politics, Captains of Industry, Managers of the Economy, great Entertainers and Footballers, Legal Luminaries, Bishops, thriving Entrepreneurs and still counting. 

"Time and space will not allow me to mention names of ur great men and women who have excelled in their various fields of endeavours. 

"There is no gainsaying the fact that the current environment of this great institution is in shambles.

"I want to commend the various sets of classes for their efforts towards the development of this great institution but such efforts have to be in synergy with the national body to avoid duplication of resources. 

Ederhi also commended the Delta State Commissioner for Economic Planning& Development,Chief.Dr. Barry Gbe for the development he has brought to the school and I know he has so much more in the works for us before his tenure expires. 

He said, "Let us all put our hands on deck to make this institution greater."

The lunching of funds for an ICT Centre for this great institution is a major project which we want to achieve in the course of this Anniversary Celebration. 

We believe an ICT Centre will increase the quality of learning of the students as information Communication and Technology is the current global trend. 

It is therefore imperative that we donate generously towards this project to actualize the provision of an ICT centre for our great institution. This epoch making event has brought all of us togth with a common goal, objective and purpose. College of Commerce is indeed our common heritage and as old students we need to come together in unity, love and oneness of mind to make this school a citadel of learning, a school we can always look back and be proud off.

On his part, Chief Reginald Amadi said celebrating at this crucial moment lives no doubt that we are all great men and women who intends writing our names in the sands of time due to our willingness at all times to show that zeal and passion, no matter how little we contributed to make sure the 75th Anniversary is held despite several attempts in having this great reunion.

"To all our members in Diaspora, I wish to commend and welcome you once again back home to the oil city of Warri to have a feelings of the good old days of Warri after many years, and wish you a safe sojourn as you traveled back. May Almighty God grant us all a wonderful Celebration. Amen."

The celebration started with the Unveiling of School signboard, Rally, A visit to the homes of the two founders (1) @ Sido (2) @ Kagho. The route of the rally includes from the school compound-Bazunu-Lower Erejuwa-Warri/ Sapele- Deco Road- Back to the school compound. Lecture on the school's history/education in general, Cultural display by the students of the school, Novelty football match between the current students which ended 2-1 with the old boys wins the game. The event climaxed with an Award Night where awards of various categories were given to deserving COCOSA members who have distinguished themselves in various capacities.

Proud Founders of College of Commerce includes,Chief Joseph Ighoavodha Kagho- Omomadia JP, KSC,the Ezomo of Iyede Kingdom, Chief (Barr.) Edward Gbagbeke Sido,the Otota of Udu Kingdom.

Some Executive members of COCOSA and Committee members of the institution's 75th anniversary includes Barr Patrick Ederhi, National President, Chief Amadi Reginald, Chairman Anniversary Committee (COCOSA),Chief Onome M. Yegbeburu, Vice Chairman Anniversary Comm, Immediate Past President. 

The Special Guest Honor/ Chief Launcher was,Chief Dr. Barry Pere Gbe (Jp). Hon. Commissioner for Economic Planning, Delta State.

His Royal Majesty, London Aforkerhi Itu (JP) Orhifi Ememoh II, The Ovie Of Agbarha, Warri Kingdom and others.