By PALANG KASMI
The weekend of November 1 and 2, 2025, was not just the beginning of a new month. It was a nostalgic celebration for members of the Gindiri Old Students Association (GOSA), who converged from far and wide for their 33rd National Convention and Reunion.
For over three decades, GOSA has sustained its proud tradition of bringing together alumni of the Boys Secondary School (BSS) and Girls High School (GHS), Gindiri, to reconnect, reminisce and renew their shared commitment to the legacy of their alma mater.
A gathering of excellence, nostalgia
The first day of the convention, held on Saturday, November 1, at Crispan Suites and Event Centre, Rayfield, Jos, Plateau State, brought together distinguished personalities, old students and friends of the prestigious institutions.
GOSA, as an alumni body, has produced world-class professionals across various sectors, including aviation, the military, politics, academia, business, diplomacy, health and the media. Among the eminent personalities who attended were Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang (Set ’82); National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda (Set ’86); Senator representing Plateau Central, Diket Plang (Set ’85); and former Executive Secretary of TETFund, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro (Set ’76).
The two-day event, themed, ‘Strengthening Our Legacy: Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders’, was marked by laughter, cultural displays and heartfelt reunions as old classmates rekindled bonds and celebrated enduring memories of their Gindiri days. Awards of recognition and excellence were presented to distinguished GOSA members who had excelled in their professions and service to humanity.
Celebrating excellence, sustaining legacies
The atmosphere at the dinner was electric as the red carpet, camera flashes and warm embraces captured the spirit of togetherness. Members celebrated their shared heritage, while the awards segment honoured alumni who had made outstanding contributions in their fields.
Among the awardees were Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, Lt. Col. Naanzem Henrietta Longpoe (the first female GOSA Colonel), Commissioner of Police Nendel Joseph Gomwalk, Prof. Patricia Manko Lar, Prof. Ebunoluwa Aderonke Adejuyigbe, Prof. Dakas C.J. Dakas, Pastor Dunka Gomwalk, Mr Mark Mannok, Dr Janet Pam and Dr Nimzing G. Ladep.
During the reunion service at Ulster Church, Gindiri, speakers and stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to the vision of the founding fathers. GOSA National President and Secretary to the Government of Plateau State, Arc. Samuel Jatau, described the convention as a “homecoming that rekindles the bond of friendship and shared purpose among members.”
He urged members to continue nurturing unity and supporting the moral and educational growth of students in the schools. “We want to build the capacity of teachers and students and reinvest in school infrastructure,” he said, while appreciating the founders and branches for sustaining the GOSA spirit for 53 years.
Giving back to the alma mater, community
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, a proud GOSA member, expressed gratitude to the institutions that moulded him and announced the formation of a Gindiri Renewal Initiative Committee. The team, comprising Rev. Dr. Obed Dashan, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, and others, will work with the President of COCIN, Rev. Dr. Amos Mohzo, to modernise facilities and revive the schools’ agricultural programmes.
He said, “Gindiri is not just a school; it is an institution dedicated to grooming leaders. The time has come for a Gindiri Renewal Initiative that will reposition this great legacy for the future.”
Governor Mutfwang also highlighted interventions such as solar-powered lighting, the donation of church chairs and the construction of a perimeter fence to enhance security. He called on members to uphold unity and avoid divisive tendencies, reminding them, “Our political party is GOSA.”
Other notable gestures included a donation of 100 bags of rice by Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda to five schools within the Gindiri Missionary Compound and the distribution of wrappers to women in the host community by Senator Diket Plang. These acts reflected GOSA’s enduring value of service and gratitude.
Innovation, milestones, enduring traditions
The 33rd GOSA Convention introduced a digital registration and payment system for the first time. Members made all financial commitments (such as dinner fees and brochure payments) online, marking a modern shift from traditional registration procedures.
Sets celebrating milestone anniversaries, including 1955, 1965, 1975, 1985, 1995, 2000, and 2015, added colour to the event with their matching “aso ebi” outfits and thanksgiving prayers.
Since its inception in 1965 and formal launch in 1972, GOSA has produced exceptional men and women of impact. The association, now boasting thousands of members worldwide, has had 15 presidents, 11 BSS principals and 12 GHS principals. From pioneers like the late Joseph Dechi Gomwalk, Prof. Ochapa Onazi and James Yariyep Lot to today’s leaders, GOSA continues to uphold the noble ideals of ‘For Light and Truth’.
No doubt, the 33rd reunion was a weekend to
remember. It was a grand celebration of legacy, unity and the timeless spirit of GOSA.