It was thrills and frills galore as erstwhile classmates of the 2011-set at the Department of Mass Communications at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, (now Rivers State University), Port Harcourt, set aside their busy schedules to stage a birthday bash on Sunday, November 27, 2022.
Held at the posh Sunmoon Garden Restaurant, along, along Woji Road, GRA Phase 2 in Port Harcourt, the event brought the Mass Communications graduates from within and outside the state. To ensure that those outside the country don’t miss out of the action, the event was live-streamed, courtesy of a patriotic member of the fold.
Under the aegis of Macosa Class of 2011, the group which is chaired by Mr. George Gad, with Lolo Stella Ebosie as Secretary has, since its formation in 2013, congregated virtually on social platforms.
With a burning urge for physical meetings, the Macosans resolved to collectively celebrate all members’ birthdays twice a year. The January-June celebrants took their turn in July, 2022 at same Sunmoon Garden Restaurant. That event glittered with colours as the mass communicators reunited and relived old precious times.
The July-December celebrants who attended that birthday bash were green with envy, and vowed to ‘retaliate’ when they take their turn later in November. This resolve prompted the party staged at the Sunmoon Gardens, Sunday, November 27.
It was a speech making occasion with the Chairman, Gad George welcoming all attendees in his opening remarks, while expressing delight with the large turnout. He spoke the minds of many at the joy of seeing themselves again many years after graduation.
“I thank the Almighty God who has kept us all alive to see this day. I thank God who has elevated us from being singles to making us happy husbands, wives and parents. I thank God who has blessed the works of our hands and even helped some of us to attain top political offices”, the Chairman said.
In her speech at the occasion, the Vice Chairman of Etche Local Government Area, Hon. (Mrs.) Gladys Nweke, a July-December birthday celebrant charged them to be politically conscious as countdown to the 2023 general elections begins.
As the elated Macosans wined and danced, Nweke urged them to take advantage of the ongoing display of voters register by INEC at the various wards in the state, and collect their permanent voters cards (PVCs).
The Etche number 2 citizen who described the PVC as the greatest asset in the political process, also prayed for the success of members aspiring for political offices in the present dispensation.
Also speaking, a one-time Caretaker Chairman of Andoni Local Government, Deacon Isaiah Gogo-Ogute said he would not agree less with Hon Nweke on the need for active participation in the political process.
He said the dice has been cast as campaigns have kicked off in earnest, and appealed to Macosans to vote in credible persons who have the interest of the state and country at heart, adding that the era of unserious politicians promising heaven on earth are gone.
A royal father who is also a July-December celebrant, Chief Gospel Nyengibi, admonished the Macosans to uphold their dignity as products of the pioneer University of Science and Technology in the country. He also spoke on the need to acquire the PVCs.
Nyengibi, who is the Chief and head of Ibimina Polo Community, Sekeni-Ama in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said “You should understand that PVC is your voice to effect positive change, and so should be used to establish a credible government that will listen to the yearnings of the people.
“The choice we make now will make or mar the system. Not when that government is in place we begin to complain. This is the time for us to do the needful because it is a formative stage. It is the PVC that can do the magic for us and nothing else. So, I encourage everyone to go and collect the PVC so that we’ll have a voice to decide who will lead us”.
Highlight of the event was the cutting of the birthday cake, a masterpiece which displayed the names of all the July-December celebrants, conceived and designed by Dorapretty Essentials N More.
“The cake stood out because of the concept. The idea is to create something unique that would show the names of all the July-December celebrants. I’m happy we achieved that”, said Dorathy James, the CEO of Dorapretty Essentials N More.
