History of BOBA
The Founding and Organization of BOBA
The Barewa Old Boys Association (BOBA) Constitution stipulates that the Association is for all former students of the school severally known as Katsina Training College, Katsina, Higher College, Kaduna College, Zaria Secondary School, Government College, Zaria. The organization started when the College held a reunion in 1939 that spawned an organization for former College students. Thereafter, the Old Boys Association held similar reunions in 1940 and 1941 in Kaduna. In 1940, Ahmed Metteden (B.4) one of the 1921 intake became its first president. Mr. E. L Mort O.B.E who became Principal of the College from 1935-1946 played a crucial role in founding the organization. However, the inability and unwillingness of its members to match Mort’s efforts caused its collapse after 1941.
Abubakar Imam (B110), one of its founding members had claimed that the Emirs were against such an association and had seen it as a threat. Bryan Sharwood Smith in his Recollections of British Administration in the Cameroons and Northern Nigeria, 1921-1957 also shared similar views with Abubakar Imam when he stated that “In the North, on the first attempt to organize the tiny educated minority of the region under the auspices of the Old Boys’ Association of Katsina College had failed owing to opposition from the more reactionary Chiefs (and Emirs) and their following.”
Nevertheless, the British appeared to be unaware, if at all, the Association held any political significance. Nonetheless, some saw the Kaduna College Old Boys Association, which later came to be known as Barewa Old Boys Association as the precursor of the Northern Peoples Congress, (NPC), maybe because many of the former students were founding members of the political party.
Subsequent Meetings
The second BOBA meeting held in 1940 was significant. It was an extraordinary meeting and featured various activities targeted at cementing the strong cord that existed between the old boys and the college. One of the memorable events of the 1940 meeting was a football match which was arranged between the college’s first eleven and a make shift BOBA team. The BOBA team at that time had nine former football captains of the college. Amongst its players were Yahaya Ilorin (Later Madaki of Ilorin), who was a famous goal keeper in his time, Aliyu Danyari (later Alh. Aliyu Danyari); Mamman Zaria (later Alh. Mamman Dan Sule); a very skilled full back; Jimada Pategi (Later the Nakordi of Pategi), an efficient center forward; and Ibrahim Tako (Later the Galadima of Bida), who was a stern long-range shooter. The old boys were beaten by nine goals to nil, a hilarious all-time record for BOBA generations to come. Another memorable event was the Hausa-themed play staged by Aminu Kano who was a current student of the college at that time. The play was staged to entertain the visiting Old Boys.
It is not certain how many meetings of the Association were previously held but the 1940 meeting held in Kaduna seems to be the first formal meeting of the Association, attended by some fifty members. The movement of the college from various locations to its present site in Zaria, necessitated the decision to make Kaduna the headquarters of the Association. This resolve was rightly stipulated in BOBA’s Constitution, thus settling future queries or eventualities.
However, the old boys inspired by their shared heritage, but most importantly by the need to protect and support one another as well as promote the mission of their Alma mater, soon realized the need to get together and revive the association again. An association that will serve as an additional bridge to connect the college with the society. For instance, at the epoch-making convention of 29th March 1970, which played host to the then Head of state, General Yakubu Gowon the Association seem to have sprung back to life. It was also at this meeting that the Constitution of the Barewa Old Boys Association was adopted.
Our Aims & Objectives
To provide opportunities for social intercourse between past and present students of the college;
To facilitate and maintain contact among all the past and present students and teachers of the College;
To organize and carry out annual activities of its members on the premises of the College at Zaria or elsewhere;
To award scholarships and decorations to deserving students of the College and members of staff of the College;
To present trophies for competition among the present students of the College;
To raise funds, call for and accept donations for the purpose of carrying out any of all the objectives of the Association;
To establish branches or other organizations in furtherance of the objectives of the Association;
To show interest and participate in any affair that will enhance the reputation of and immortalize the College.
Grand Conventions and Ceremonies
In addition to its grand conventions and ceremonies, BOBA has played a stabilizing role in the history of the college. The college has had its fair share of the challenges ranging from numerous changes in name and location, to students’ unrest, and to varying degrees of unsettling government policies and dispositions. However, BOBA has always stepped in time and time again to calm frayed nerves, rebuild the college and its facilities, as well as redeem and preserve the image of the institution in general. Its role cannot be understated in any historical context.
The Barewa Old Boys Association is run by a full-time secretariat staff at its headquarters building in Kaduna. The secretariat is under the supervision of the Secretary General. The National Executive Committee which is headed by the National President sees to the running of the BOBA organization and holds regular meetings. The Barewa Old Boys Association structure has an advisory body comprising of a Board of Patrons and a Board of Trustees which meets frequently to deliberate on matters affecting the Association. The Board of Trustees is the apex body of the Association and the current Chairman of the Board of Trustees is General Yakubu Gowon, GCFR. BOBA as an organization has Branches throughout the 36 states and the FCT.
Some of its most active Branches are, the FCT Abuja, Lagos, Ilorin, Kano, Katsina, Gombe, Adamawa, Borno, Bauchi and Sokoto states among others. Apart from the state branches, there are established branches in tertiary institutions where there are a sizeable number of ex-students of the college in such institutions, for instance among some of its active Branches in the tertiary institutions are the ABU Zaria Branch, the ATBU Branch and the UNIMAID Branch.
A recent development among the Old students of the College is the number of Class sets that have become very active and are contributing to the physical as well as the academic development of the school.
Our Primary Concern
One of the primary concerns of BOBA is its desire to uphold academic standards and the excellent teaching, discipline and values for which Barewa College was renowned for. It has therefore, since its inception, emphasized quality education, discipline and hard work as the bedrock for its successful leadership. For this reason, the National Executive of BOBA has been intervening in the college by providing for the rehabilitation of the college’s dilapidated physical infrastructure and facilities. For instance, the Old Boys have been in the forefront of reconstruction and renovation of the school dormitories some of which have been in a state of decay. The BOBA has also been contributing to the payment of allowances for part time teachers in order to improve students’ academic standards. The NEC of BOBA has also been sponsoring the award of scholarships to indigent students who excel in science to study science and technology courses at the polytechnic and tertiary institutions offering courses in science and technology. Other areas in which the Association has intervened are in the payment of outstanding electricity bills, provision and repair of generating sets, provision of chemicals and reagents for the school laboratories as well as repair and provision of water supply to the school.
A major highlight of our annual activities is the Annual General Meeting (AGM) which is held at the College premises in Zaria.
During the AGM, the Association takes reports of the activities of the various branches as well as take reports on the progress made in the school by the school principal. The Association also holds an Annual Lecture/Dinner and Honours Awards Ceremony which is held in the different states of the country and attracts prominent old boys from the different parts of the country. These annual events have ensured the reunion of its members as well as the provision of an atmosphere to reminisce and rekindle fond memories.
Alumni of Barewa College and those of comparable sister institutions established by the Nigerian Government such as Kings College Lagos, Government College Ibadan, Government College Umuahia, Government College Ughelli among others have continued to render meritorious service to the nation. Several old students of colleges have taken over the management and running of their alma mater, it indeed be nice for BOBA to also do the same in taken over the college from the government with the view of managing it.
Historical Graphic
GROUP PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN AT A MEETING OF KATSINA COLLEGE OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION, (NOW BOBA) IN GOVERNMENT COLLEGE, KADUNA IN 1940
SITTING FIRST ROW: Armiyu’u; Usman Koto, Mamman Daku; Abdu Gusau (Garkuwan Sakkwato); Jima Gegele; A. R. Nahu; Abubakar Imam, Abdurrahman Mora; Hassan Rafindadi (Sarkin Yakin Katsina); Shu’aibu Na’ibi (Madakin Suleja); Muhammadu Sule Zaria.
SITTING SECOND ROW: Usman Gwarzo (Sarkin Yaki); Muhammadu Mayo; Salahu Fulani (D.H. Afon), Isa Kaita (Wazirin Katsina); Bello Kano (Madakin Kano); Alhaji Dogondaji, Muhammad Bello Kagara (Walin Katsina); Yahaya Ilorin (Madakin Ilorin); Ladan Hunkuyi (Dan lyan Zazzau); Fute Kofin Madaki; Iro Mashi (Talban Katsina): Abubakar Anike Bida.
STANDING FIRST ROW: Adi Nnewi (Aku Uka Wukari): Malam Yazid; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Shehu Yabo; Abdurrahman Okene; Mustapha Kano (Madakin Kano); Jumare Zariya; Inuwa Kano; Aliyu Dan Yari; Garba Bauchi, Shehu Ajiram; Sule Isa.
STANDING BACK ROW: Malam Bello Dandago; Umaru Agaie: Abdulkadir Dan Iya; Jimada Pategi: Mamman Tureta; Baraya Gwambe; Usman Lapai; Malam Sanusi (Wazirin Zazzau); Malam Mahmud Zayam.