03/10/2025
MOUNT SAINT MICHAEL'S SECONDARY SCHOOL, ALIADE : THE EARLY MICHAELITES
By Maik Ortserga
The College in the 1950s
Mount Saint Michael’s Secondary School made progress in the 1950s. Most of those who were to become corporate chieftains, heads of professional bodies, leaders of thought and opinions in Nigeria attended the college during this decade. People like Moses Braimah (Admission Number 09) who later became a director of Administration in the Federal Civil Service joined the school in 1953 and graduated in 1958 with London matriculation. Nicholas Anuga (Admission Number 28) who later became a legal practitioner and a Jurist before his demise enrolled in 1954 with Pius Yakubu Ochefu (Admission Number 41) who later became a medical doctor and Honourable Commissioner for Health in Benue State. Aloysius I. Katsina-Alu (Admission Number 109) who later rose to the position of Chief Justice of the federation came in 1956 with Edward K. Ula (Admission Number 108) who later rose to the rank of Captain in the Nigerian Army. Chief Ignatius I. Nomhwange (Admission Number 131) gained admission in 1957 with John Onaiyekan (Admission Number 319) who was later elevated to a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church became metropolitan Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Diocese. Also in 1957, Charles G. Vajime (Admission Number 143) who later became a professor and a pioneer Vice Chancellor of Benue State University gained admission, Chief (Dr) Senator Jacob Tilley Gyado (Admission Number 169), a very successful corporate magnate and politician got admitted into the college in 1958. Ambrose A. Feese (Admission Number 187) who was later appointed a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria enrolled in 1959 with Engr Peter Tyotom Ullam (Admission Number 225), a one-time National President of Aliade Old Boys’ Association. Others students of the 1950, whom I couldn’t find their admission numbers include: Dominic Ode, Francis Ilobi, Christopher Momoh, Andrew Ijogi, Patrick Abdullahi, Sabastian Wombo, Denis Jor, Nicholas Okereafor, Innocent Akula, Emmanuel Lawani, Matthew Diyoke, Innocent Semban, Clement Otobo, Benard Agada, M.Bello, Augustine Abuul, Benedict Idoko, P.Omata, V. Okpanachi, Abraham Ijejeh, L.Okagu, S. Chiroko, P.Okekwu, Alfred Gom, F. Onoja, C. Onwudinjo, J. Oklobia, M.Ogenyi, R. Emaikwu, R.Edache. E.Baver, A.Akura, I. Chikwendu, A. Adam, A.Ameh, M.Amah, T.Gbe, C. Ende, J.Egbunu, R.Obeya, A.Ge among others.
The College in the 1960s
As usual with Mount Saint Michael’s Secondary School from inception, students who were to later become eminent personalities enrolled into the college in the 1960s. Thus, Engr Michael Bisibi Ati (Admission Number 269) entered the college in 1960 with His Royal Majesty, Orchivirigh Dr Alfred Akawe Torkula (Admission Number 270) who later became the Tor Tiv and Chairman, Benue State Council of Chiefs. Stephen Lawani (Admission Number 319) who later became the Deputy Governor of Benue State came into the college in 1962 with Chief Audu Ogbe (Admission Number 325) who later became a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, the largest political party in Africa. Also in 1962, major General Chris Abutu Garuba (Admission Number 346) who later became military Governor of Bauchi State enrolled into the college. Ignatius, Akaayar, Ayua (Admission Number 372) who later became a professor of international law and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) entered the college in 1963 with Prof. Peter Obekpa (Admission Number 381), Barrister Bernard Iyorlyam Hom (Admission Number 411) who later became Commissioner for Justice, Attorney General of Benue State. The year 1964 ushered in David Iyornongo Ker (Admission Number 466) who later became a renowned professor of English, a Vice Chancellor of the Benue State University and Honourable Commissioner for Education at various times in Benue State. John Iorver Ami (Admission Number 598) who later became an accountant of repute in various companies entered in 1966. Michael Ornguga Mku (Admission Number 697) who later became a manager in various departments of Benue Cement Company as well as a governorship aspirant got admission in 1967. An intelligent clergy man, Fidelis O. Orgah (Admission Number 795) who until his demise was the first Catholic Bishop of Otukpo Diocese was admitted into the college in 1968 with Prof Steve Torkuma Ugba (Admission Number 835) a scholar of repute at the California State University, USA and later a governorship aspirant in Benue State. In the 1960s Professor Saint T.Gbilekaa, a vibrant intellectual and Chief of Staff to the Governor of Benue State also came into the college and left in 1975. Adema Edeba (Admission Number 897).
The College in the 1970s
In the 1970s, Clement Igyuren (Admission Number 952) who until his demise was a legal practitioner of repute secured admission into the school in 1970 with Admiral Francis Agbiti (Admission no 1012) who came to Aliade for his HSC. Hon. Jerome Torshimbe (Admission Number 969) who later became the executive chairman, Gwer Local Government Council also came in with Gabriel Gbayan who later worked in the Federal Civil Service as Director in the Auditor General’s office, Innocent Iorgbide Uvah (Admission Number 971) who later became the General Manager of Benue Printing and Publishing Co-operation also came in the year 1970 while Barr. Ignatius Chive Kaave (Admission Number 1243) who later became Attorney General, Commissioner for Justice in Benue State and later Nigeria’s Ambassador to Argentina enrolled in 1973. A year after, Rt Hon Raphael Igbago (Admission Number 1322), a one-time deputy speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, came in 1972. Also in 1973, Eugene T. Yua (Admission Number 1330), who later became a visionary Entrepreneur got admission with John Ejoha Odah (Admission Number 1377), a versatile trade unionist. Barr. Damian Dan Dodo (Admission Number 2425) who remained for some time the youngest Nigerian lawyer to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) entered the college in 1979.
Also in 1991, Organde T. Samuel (Admission Number 5344), entered the school, who later became a passionate agroterprenuer and chief agriculture consultant to many corporate bodies.
