By Content Team
The National Convention is a pivotal event in any organization’s calendar, offering a unique opportunity for reflection, growth, and forward planning. As a landmark gathering, it sets the tone for the future while celebrating past achievements.
In this exclusive interview, Dr. Cyril Onyemaechi Aninwike, FPSN, POSA National President, shares his expertise and insights into the vision and expectations surrounding the 2024 National Convention of the Presco Old Students Association (POSA), shedding light on what makes this event a significant milestone for the association.
Happy reading.
Content Team (CT): The 2024 National Convention is significant. What does it mean, first for POSA, second to PRESCO?
National President (NP): It is actually the IVORY (62nd Anniversary) Convention. This is so significant to our Old Students that congregate under the Presco Old Students Association, because once again, we the old students are afforded the unique opportunity of reconnecting with old classmates and friends to reminisce on the great times we had in Presco. Again, for Presco as a School, these bienniel Conventions recreate the consciousness of the need for them to work hard and become great ambassadors of the School just like those of us who are older.
CT: This is the first convention under your Presidency. What innovations should Prescorians expect and what are the expected outcomes?
NP: Yes indeed, it is the first Convention to be held under my Presidency. I would straight up say that to the glory of God, I have been at the centre of all the previous Conventions in 2017 (where I was a member of the CPC – infact the Chief Fundraiser). In 2019, I was the CPC Chair, and again the Chief fundraiser for the Convention. At the last Convention in 2022, I was the CPC Vice Chair, (and once more the Chief Marketer for the Convention).
However, there is a huge difference between being in the CPC and being the hosting President of a Convention. It’s been a Herculean task getting the 2024 Convention plans up to this stage. Many members had called to urge a cancellation, and others a postponement. But I couldn’t have successfully organized successive Conventions under the former National President and fail to organize during my Presidency. That will be an anticlimax, most befuddling.
What should be expected? The Bible says God makes things new every morning…. so our 2024 Ivory Convention promises to showcase new things. One thing that is certain is that for the first time in the history of POSA Conventions, we are going to hold a real and proper Annual General Meeting (AGM), where all elected officers are going to give account of their stewardship. This is one of the reasons the 2024 Convention will be stretching to four days instead of the previous three days.
CT: What role is the Marketing Sub – Committee playing to add value to this convention and how optimistic are you of getting positive results?
NP: Marketing is my primary turf, despite being a seasoned senior pharmacist. Actually, the first quarter of a century in my Pharmacy practice was mostly marketing of pharma products. I have marketed POSA Conventions in the last three seasons – 2017, 2019 and 2022 – and now that it’s my Presidency, I don’t expect anything less. Already, a month to the Convention, huge funds are flowing in despite the tough economic times in Nigera. Some are giving as much as they are doing simply as a statement of support for my Presidency and I’m eternally grateful to them. Again, a combo between the President and the CPC chairman, both of whom are seasoned marketing pharmacists can only produce positively incredible results.
CT: Is there any project attached to this Convention and what is the justification?
NP: It has become customary for POSA to carry out a strategic project as a Convention project in our Alma Mater. In 2022, there was a yawning need for a befitting exam hall. This was taken up and completed in record time. Our 2024 Convention Project is perimeter fencing for the school. The need for this cannot be overemphasized because the school is so porous currently that all the ICT equipment and other critical infrastructure donated to the school have been carted away by criminals. This project is estimated to cost the Association about twenty million naira (N20m) , and we are optimistic that members will give generously to actualize this.
CT: What influenced NEC selection of members of the CPC?
NP: Two critical factors determined or influenced the choice of members for the 2024 POSA Ivory Convention. One was a trajectory of Competence and Capacity. On these two points, the NEC appointed a renowned Pharmacist, JC Agwu, the Chairman of EKO POSA as the Chairman of the CPC and he’s been doing incredibly well.
The other factor is the fact that every National Officer was made a member of the CPC to ensure unity of purpose and pursuit of excellence.
CT: What impacts do you expect this Convention to have on POSA (membership strength, increase in chapter’s and members’ commitment), PRESCO (mentorship and motivation of current student, infrastructure in college) and entire Ebonyi State?
NP: This question is a mouthful, but I will attempt to deal with them segmentally.
(a). On membership impact, I’m glad to announce that this Convention has elicited tremendous interest and participation from our members across the globe. Already, we have Old Students who had never been part of the previous Conventions showing up, registering and supporting the Convention with humongous amounts.
(b). Again, as the interests in the Convention and other national programmes are increasing, so are membership at Branch and Class levels also advancing, because you cannot be a viable member at the national level without being an active member in your branch. It is hoped that new branches like Owerri will spring up post the 2024 Convention.
(c). On mentorship, this year, for the first time since the Conventions began, we are going to have an interactive Prize-Giving Day at Presco on Day 2 of the Convention. On that day, we will also formally institute a mentorship programme for our young students to be coordinated by our National Secretary who is a University Professor.
(d). Certainly, as we impact our members and our Alma Mater, our home/ host state, Ebonyi State will also be positively impacted, particularly in the area of secondary education.
CT: What will be your advice to the POSA family?
NP: My candid advice is that being an active member of an Old Students Association is all positive in impact. Members should strive to be committed to the aims and objectives of POSA, and exploit the huge opportunities offered by the forthcoming 2024 POSA Ivory Convention, to reconnect with old friends and classmates. These events also have therapeutic impacts on the health of members. I will encourage our registered and yet-to-register members to ensure they begin to be more active and committed to the Association so they can get maximum benefits if and when the need arises. Finally, I look forward to the best organized, best financed and most attended POSA National Convention yet!
