| Message from the New President |
| Written by Bassey Ekanem |
|
For those of you who were not in Dallas for the 7th HWOSA Reunion, you missed quite a bit. The jokes were fresher, the food was not only in abundance but excellent. You should have seen and or heard the MC - Mr. Essien Cobham or the Dee Jay - Mr. Tunde Obazee. I tell you - the Dallas Reunion Planning Committee was exceptional. We should all stand up as we read this and say UP HOWAD to all of them.
The theme for the 7th Reunion was "Continuing the Legacy". We reported at the Reunion that the Kitchen project we started has been completed. There are lots of people who deserve special thanks - but none more than the members who contributed generously to fund the project. We requested from the Principal Rev. Nsa Eyo on what his thoughts were on what the pressing needs are at Hope Waddell. He enumerated them and emphasized on two items -- improving the library as well as the laboratories. I am glad to let everyone know that we have once again decided to embark on improving the library. A "Library Improvement Committee" will soon be constituted by the current executive and given directives to guide the Association through yet another effort at "Continuing the Legacy" of excellence at our beloved alma mater. I like at this point to express my gratitude on behalf of the new executive for the confidence you have on each of us to shepherd the affairs of the Association for the next two years. We collectively understand the mandate and will do all we can to make sure HWOSA in the next two years is a different organization in the area of getting members engaged. All of us have something to offer the association. We will be contacting everyone to solicit suggestions on how we can improve the operation of the association. We have the tools, and believe we have the people within the membership to make a difference. This is a transition period. I like to report that as we "speak" the wheels are turning properly and steadily, and you will soon be informed among other things on our financial position as an organization. We look forward to serving you and with your cooperation the future looks very bright. Up HOWAD!! Bassey I. Ekanem President-HWOSA (North America) |