Ogbaru Home Page (OHP) has the pleasure presenting here an interview with an eminent son of Ogbaru,   Mr. Nzemeka E Olisah, a native of Atani in Ogbaru LGA, and the current principal of Christ the King College, (C.K.C.) Onitsha.  Mr. Olisah, who is also an eminent old boy of C.K.C. Onitsha, has been the principal of the school since June 2000.  This interview first appeared in “The Amaka Gazette” (TAG) the journal of Christ the King College Onitsha, Alumni Association In America, (CKC-AAA) in the summer of 2001. OHP sincerely thank CKC-AAA for allowing it to reproduce the interview, for historical and documentary purposes.  OHP plans to bring a follow-up interview with Mr. Olisah, which will focus strictly on Ogbaru educational matters and other perspectives. Watch Out!

The Amaka Gazette: Congratulations on your appointment as the Principal of CKC. Your appointment fulfils the aspirations of the CKC alumni to have one of their own run the School. As an alumnus, and Principal for about a year on the job what are the challenges?

Nzemeka Olisah: I wish to first of all thank you thank every CKC alumni and the CKC Onitsha Old Boys Associations for the confidence they have in me and for finding me fit for the post. The major challenge I have, as Principal of our great college is to restore the fame and dignity for which our school is known. In a nutshell, I see some pressing needs. I intend to raise the disciplinary tone of the school; improve the teaching and learning standards; inculcate a reading culture in the students, which will invariably enhance academic performance; improve on the current standard of sports and games; rehabilitate badly dilapidated facilities and structures in the school by mobilizing our Old Boys world wide to contribute generously to make CKC retain its claim as "First Among Equals". Finally, I plan to raise the moral tone of the children for we know that when a child is trained in the right paths, when he grows he never departs from it.

 TAG:  Most Nigerian schools that are doing well now rely heartily on their 'Booster Clubs" - the alumni or Old Boys Associations. What is your relationship with the National Association and the chapters in the Diaspora?

 NO:  My relationship with the National Association and the Onitsha Chapter has been very cordial. In fact, since my arrival here, I have hosted meetings of both bodies. I have also attended the meetings of the other branches with a view to sensitizing them of the needs of the school and getting them to assist in whatever capacity they can.

 TAG: We understand that there was a move to transfer you out of CKC, but the Old Boys intervened. What's the true story? 

NO: It is true. I was transferred out just after being four month on the job at CKC. As you correctly noted, the Old Boys felt challenged and fought gallantly to get the Anambra State Governor His Excellency Dr. C.C. Mbadinuju, (Odera) to rescind the posting decision. For their efforts, I am grateful and more determined than ever to savage our alma mater from ruins and put it firmly back on course, God willing.

TAG: The CKC Alumni Association In America  (CKC-AAA) is said to be very proactive. How have you interfaced with them?

NO: You are right, CKC-AAA is the most active and viable of all the chapters. My relationship with them during this brief period has also bee most cordial and rewarding. I feel excited any time I have an opportunity to interface with their representatives or members because of the enthusiasm they generally exhibit in the affairs concerning our noble college.

TAG: Let's turn to the school. Give us numbers. What is the current student population and staff strength. What was the success rate at the 1999-2000 WASSCE examination?

NO: The current student population is two thousand two hundred and seventy-two (2,272) while the current staff strength stands at eighty-eight (88): seventy-four (74) academic and fourteen (14) administrative.  Here are the details of the 1999-2000 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (See box below), As you can see the results can definitely be improved on. It is a matter I have already made a priority.

TAG: It seems obvious that CKC has "lost" its honored place and luster in academic and sports, What is your vision for the school four years from now?

NO: This is not an overstatement, especially with respect to sports development. My vision for the next four years is to improve on these two important areas. To achieve these and more, I have set in motion measures to enhance the disciplinary tone of the school, which will hopefully be the springboard for better academic performance. To this end, I have since introduced compulsory thrice weekly after school prep periods for all students. These strategies are jus a few in the overall plan. With regards to sports, our school fields have been rehabilitated and are being put to use for training the boys. We are, however, handicapped by the lack of sports equipment. You will agree with me that we cannot do much here except the equipment is made available. When I took over, I employed an external football coach who left after four months because of financial constraints. I believe that given the necessary backing, the students will be sufficiently exposed.

TAG: As an Educationist what is your view on the return of schools to Missions?

NO: As an individual I have nothing against such a policy since both bodies are working towards the same goal - the improved moral and academic performance of our children.

TAG: Your Predecessor, Mr. Umeh in his valedictory State of the School Report highlighted the areas of needs for CKC. Could you enumerate on what you consider the pressing needs despite you short sty in office.

NO: Since administration is a continuum, I will firstly endorse all the areas my predecessor highlighted, Additionally, I whish to touch on the non-availability of science equipment, for Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Agricultural Science and Home Economics.  Adequate investment in these areas will no doubt enhance our overall academic performance. Another area worthy of attention is sports development, which has hitherto been neglected.. You will not believe that all our Lawn Tennis Courts have gone bad.  This state of the ruins is applicable to all other area of sports and games. In summary, the sports store is virtually empty and needs to be adequately equipped. As regards computer education, it may sound ridiculous that in this century, less the two percent of our students are computer literate. This is no exaggeration. We need more computers to help our students fit into the challenge of the ever-changing world.  The truth is that the school, which was donated by an old boy (courtesy of CKC-AAA) to whom we remain grateful, but there, is no printer for it. We need a generating set to power it when there is no electricity and air conditioners for proper usage.