A former General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), John Odah, has been elected as the President of the Mount Saint Michael's Secondary School Aliade Old Boys' Association (AOBA). Odah, a member of the 1978 set, brings decades of organised labour experience to the alumni body. His election took place at a Special National Convention of the association held on September 29, 2026, at the school premises in Aliade, Benue State.
The new president faces significant challenges, including rescuing the 73-year-old alma mater from deteriorating infrastructure and other institutional pressures. The school authorities have identified dilapidated staff quarters and students' dormitories, encroachment on school land, inadequate water and electricity supply, and the reconstruction of St Luke's House, which was gutted by fire, as pressing issues requiring intervention.
Odah's experience in organised labour is expected to be crucial in rallying former students across its branches and sets around a coordinated programme for the rehabilitation and development of the school. In his acceptance speech, Odah acknowledged the enormity of the task and called on delegates to mobilise members of their respective branches and sets. He urged all stakeholders to put their hands on deck to address the challenges highlighted by the school principal.
The school's Principal, Rev. Fr. Moses Orti, had earlier made a direct appeal to AOBA to intervene in the school's affairs. He stressed that the condition of the staff quarters and students' dormitories required urgent attention to ensure that teachers and students live and learn in a safe, decent, and conducive environment. Orti also identified encroachment on the school's extensive land and property as a threat requiring urgent action.
The association's nationwide structure, with branches and sets across the country, provides an existing organisational network that can be leveraged to mobilise members, advocacy, and resource mobilisation. Odah's experience is also likely to bring an advocacy dimension to the association's engagement with the wider community and relevant institutions. The former NLC General Secretary has personally gone around the school to assess its condition and has seen for himself the institution's deplorable state.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr Pius Ochefu, reinforced the call for collective responsibility when he urged delegates to inspect the deteriorating infrastructure for themselves and work together towards specific improvements. The convention also received the National Caretaker Committee report, which reviewed the circumstances leading to its constitution by the Board of Trustees, its activities, and its outstanding responsibilities for the incoming executive.
An electoral committee headed by the immediate past National Vice President, Mr Gabriel Labe, conducted the election. The new National Executive Council includes Michael Awange, Vice President; Samuel Yina, National Secretary; and other members. Odah thanked delegates who travelled from different parts of the country for the confidence reposed in the new executive and promised to justify the mandate.
Key points
- John Odah, a former NLC scribe, has been elected as President of AOBA to lead the rehabilitation and development of Mount Saint Michael's Secondary School.
- The school faces significant challenges, including dilapidated infrastructure, encroachment on school land, and inadequate water and electricity supply.
- Odah's experience in organised labour is expected to be crucial in mobilising former students to address the school's challenges.
