Our Story
THE FASCINATING STORY OF THE TWO COLLEGES IN ARONDIZUOGU: NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND IHEME MEMORIAL COLLEGE
Preamble
In Arondizuogu, two pioneer institutions stand as eternal monuments of the vision and the tenacity of our forefathers: National High School, Arondizuogu which is, undoubtedly, the most imposing achievement of Arondizuogu Patriotic Union (APU) and Iheme Memorial College, Arondizuogu which emerged as a child of circumstance. The original plan was for Arondizuogu to establish one college through communal effort. However, disagreement among APU members over the site of the proposed college led to the construction of a second college. The two colleges were built simultaneously and opened at the same time. How did it happen? Here is the story.
Background
At a meeting of APU held at Umuahia in March 1940, a proposal to construct a college in Arondizuogu was presented. The idea which was mooted by Mazi Moses Egbo Nwankwo who had been appointed the General Secretary of the union in 1939 envisaged the construction of a college in Arondizuogu through communal effort. As recorded in the minutes of that meeting, the proposal also prescribed the issuance of membership and contribution cards “for the purpose of raising funds for the prospective college”. The proposal generated great interest and gained wide acceptance at the meeting. It was adopted as a flagship project of the union. Fundraising for the project began in earnest.
It was not surprising that the college proposal generated so much interest and enthusiasm. Having ventured outside the community the literate and semi literate members of the Union had come to appreciate their academic shortcomings. They, therefore, saw the need to provide better opportunities for their children, kith and kin. Once the college project was adopted, therefore, members became seized by a patriotic fervour to realize the project. At the launching of the Arondizuogu College Fund on December 29, 1942, thirty one patriots in a frenzied display of enthusiasm voluntarily pledged a total sum of One thousand five hundred and seventy- five pounds (£1,575) towards the project.
IHEMGRAM 96 EXCOS
PIONEER STAFF OF IHEME MEMORIAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL (IHEMGRAM), ARONDIZUOGU, 1955
Standing L to R:
Mr. (now Emeritus Prof) O. C. Nwana, Mr. Mbagwu, Mr. Nwoke, Mr. Okoroji, unidentified man.
Sitting L to R:
F C Okoronkwo, J A Chukwu, Mr Princewill, Ms Mabel Mbadiwe, Obumneme Onwuamaegbu (Principal), Mrs B. Onwuamaegbu, J G Chinwa, Kanu Ngwaogu.