Why I Want To Be USOSA President -By Chidi Odinkalu

I’m addressing this note to you because you are a leader in our Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA) and in the Alumni network on which USOSA is founded as well as a believer in the values that informed the Unity Schools model of public, secondary education.

USOSA is an asset and a public trust. Its founders deserve credit for visionary initiative.

Today, in our country, education is endangered as never before; many of the schools we attended are shadows of lost glory. We have a crisis of enlightenment which has become a crisis of national coexistence and national security. Our Association is challenged to articulate a voice and role in addressing these and many more problems that confront us.

Doing this effectively requires team work and partnerships in forging an association that offers value to its members, to education policy and to the country and can also be a credible partner with government, school management(s) and (other) development partners in the urgent work that needs to be done.

We can build a USOSA that works for all and works with all to be an asset for all.

This is why I have decided to offer myself at the forthcoming elections later this month, on 23 April 2016, for the opportunity to serve our Association as its next President-General and humbly see your support as I do so.

I claim no magic wand and offer none. I do, however, claim some experience in building viable institutions and network in over 12 countries across three continents at local, national, regional, and global levels and in private, public, independent and conscience sectors over more than a quarter of a century.

foraminifera

I graduated from Federal Government College Okigwe in 1983. I currently lead the Trustees of the FGC Okigwe Endowment and also serve as the Secretary of the FGC Okigwe Old Students Association (FEGOCOOKOSA). I have been a member of USOSA’s Board of Trustees and, in 2013, worked with the past executive in berthing USOSA’s national dialogue on education. That was arguably the most impactful and successful activity we undertook as USOSA in recent memory. It paid its way, put USOSA in policy imagination and proved we have huge asset value as an association when we choose to put it to use.

I believe quite firmly that, together, we can retool USOSA and through it contribute to renewing our country and to regenerating education. For this we will need the support, assistance and help of both yourself and your alumni network in the forthcoming elections. I’d very much wish to count on your support and would be happy to call to follow up.

Thank you once again and all my very best

Always

Chidi Anselm Odinkalu.

Chidi Anselm Odinkalu is a former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria.