ANSMEDIA:
On the celebration of the great Dennis Memorial Grammar School(DMGS), Onitsha at 95.
It is with great sense of humility, I will first of all commemorate by saying a happy 95th anniversary to our great citadel of learning, the great DMGS. Its my great pleasure as I let you all know the caliber of men that has passed through this great institution or should I say a dynasty?. Remembering some good number of old boys Vice Chancellors that passed through this great institution.

At 95, DMGS have produced seven(7) Vice Chancellors, starting from the first Igbo man to become a professor, who was also the first African to become a Vice Chancellor, also the first Nigerian to become a Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan and also the first Nigerian professor of history, he was no other person than the great Prof. Kenneth Onwuka Dike(Senior Prefect of DMGS 1936 and DMGS class of 1936). Other DMGS old boys Vice Chancellors include Prof. James O. C. Ezeilo(DMGS class of 1948 and the first Nigerian professor of Mathematics, former Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka from 1975 to 1978, former Vice Chancellor Bayero University, Kano from 1978 to 1980).

Prof. Basil Oli(Senior Prefect of DMGS 1955 and DMGS class of 1955, former Vice Chancellor Anambra State University of Science and Technology, ASUTECH now Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka). Prof Gilbert O. Onuaguluchi(DMGS class of 1944, former Vice Chancellor University of Jos). Prof. Elochukwu Amucheazi(DMGS class of 1957, former Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor Anambra State University now Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, COOU). Prof. Ilochi Augustine Okafor(DMGS class of 1963, former Vice Chancellor Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka). Prof. Greg Nwakoby(DMGS class of 1980, the current Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, University, COOU).

The only school that produced the first Igbo man to become an Engineer(Civil Engineer), Late Engr. Isaac Iweka(DMGS class of 1930). The first Nigerian Military Medical Doctor, Late H.R.H Igwe Capt. Sir. Dr. Walter C. Eze(DMGS class of 1945). The first Nigerian common wealth Gold Medalist, Major. Emmanuel Ifeajuna(DMGS class of 1952). The first Nigerian professor of Pharmacology. The second Nigerian to become a principal, Samuel Onochie Ogoazi(DMGS class of 1939). Late Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Egbogah(DMGS class of 1961, the first petroleum Engineer in Nigeria and the former Special Adviser to the President on oil and gas).

DMGS have produced one Governor, Audu Ogbe, former Governor of Kogi State. Two deputy Governors, Chief. Abolle Okoyeagu(DMGS class of 1963, former deputy Governor of Anambra State) and Dr. Nkem Okeke(DMGS class of 1978, current deputy Governor of Anambra State).

At 95, DMGS have produced a good number of Anglican Bishops. In fact DMGS is the ‘House of Bishops’. The school that have produced so many episcopal brand, indeed DMGS has gone on to build an edifice of house of Bishops. Starting from Most Rev. B. C. Nwankiti, Bishop. L. M. Uzodike(DMGS class of 1951), Archbishop. J. A. Onyemelukwe(DMGS class of 1950), Bishop. R. N. C. Nwosu, Archbishop. Maxwell Anikwenwa(DMGS class of 1958), Bishop. Nweke Otubelu, Bishop(Prof) E. I. Iheagwam, Bishop. K. S. C. Okeke, Bishop. Udogu and Rt. Rev. Ndubuisi Obi(DMGS class of 1982).

DMGS have produced so many great encyclopedians like the great Dr. F. C. Ogbalu(DMGS class of 1944) who was the founder of modern Igbo language and culture. Late Justice J. P. Oki, former Chief Judge of old Bendel State. Late Prof. Wilson Onuigbo(DMGS class of 1945 and he was renowned professor of medicine). Late Prof.(Obi). Chukwuka Okonjo(DMGS class of 1945, he was a renowned Economist and Mathematician). Prof. Andrew W. Mellon, professor of African history, Harvard University. Edmund Ekwulugo, a retired Chief Magistrate. Prof. Alexander Obiefoka E. Animalu(DMGS class of 1958, emeritus professor of theoretical physics). C. O. Odiakosa, well known Agriculturist. Alfred Bovi, a retired Educationist. Theophilus R. Yirenki, a Ghanaian Pharmacist. Daniel Onwugbuzia, a retired custom officer. Dr. Ernest Nnaemeka Azudialu Obiejesi(DMGS class of 1978, the founder of Nest Oil, he is currently the biggest philanthropist). Justice T. C. Anomnachi. Dr. Tim Menakaya(DMGS class of 1955, former Minister of health), the great Dr. Dozie Ikedife(DMGS class of 1950).
DMGS have distinguished in all spheres of human endeavour and in the society. We are the Grammar School.

The school that produced a Senate President from a Southern State, Senators, Generals, Parliamentarians, Professors, First Class Academics, Engineers, Medical Doctors, Lawyers, Pharmacists, Public Administrators, Priests, etc. The list is endless.

I profoundly appreciate the commitment and zeal with which DMGS old boys over the years have tackled matters concerning the great DMGS. The 'DMGS Old Boys Association' is the most active and effective old boys association. I must applaud us the dignitaries of the DMGS old boys for this immense contribution of the growth and excellence of the prestigious DMGS. The legacy left by the founding father's of this great association, huge resources were sought and ploughed into reconstructing, rehabilitating and rebuilding DMGS which was battered by the civil war.

The path-finders of the association, most of them of blessed memory who advocate, organized and pooled resources from willing old boys, should always be remembered and be seen as inspirers to where we are going today. This, starting from the first President General, late Barr. J. C. Anyaduba, late Dr. J. O. Onyeachonam, late Chief. Arthur Ozumba, late Sir. Engr. Gordon Egwuatu(DMGS class of 1948), Sir. Dr. Tim Menakaya(DMGS class of 1955), Sir. Barr. Goddy Agbasi, Sir. Engr. George Udezue, Sir. Engr. Gibson Okeke(DMGS class of 1965), and the current President General Sir. Dr. Eric Anazodo(DMGS class of 1972). Other front-end drivers include late C. U. Efobi, late H.R.H Igwe Capt. Sir. Dr. Walter C. Eze(DMGS class of 1945), late Barr. J. O. Akpojero, late Dr. Giwa Amu, late Hon. Justice J. A. P. Oki, late. L. A. C. Unachukwu, late Justice T. C. Anomnachi, late Hon. Dr. Emekekwue, late Sen. Emezie, late Dr. Igbogbahaka, late Most Rev. B. C. Nwankiti, late Dr. Harrison Okonkwo, Chief. Sir. Obi Ezegbo, Prof. Uchenna Megafu and Sir. Engr. Igweka Godson Uche(DMGS class of 1971).


When you talk about academic professors, DMGS have thousands if not millions of professors but I will mention but few like late Prof. Kenneth O. Dike(1936), late Prof. James. O. C. Ezeilo(1948), late Prof. Basil Oli(1955), Prof. Gilbert O. Onuaguluchi(1944), Prof. Elochukwu Amucheazi(1957), Prof. Ilochi A. Okafor(1963), Prof. Greg Nwakoby(1980), late Prof. Wilson Onuigbo(1945), Prof. Alexander Animalu(1958), late Prof.(Obi). Chukwuka Okonjo(1945), Prof. Ikechukwu A. Ekwealor(1973), late Prof. Meshach O. Umenweke(1964), Prof. Nnama M. Umenweke(1986), Prof. Buchi Offodile(1971), Prof. Eleazar Offodile(1957), Prof. Prosper Igboeli(1970), Prof. Mike Odi, Prof. Christopher C. Ifemesia(1945), Prof. Benjamin C. Osisioma(1970), Prof. Nwofor(1973), Prof. Uchenna Megafu, Prof. Nwajide(1961), Prof. Ebenezer Mbaekwe(1966), Prof. Reuben Nwobu(1965), Prof. Ogbalu, Prof. Okey Ikpeze(1971), Bishop(Prof). Iheagwam, late Rev. Prof. E. O. Ilogu, Prof. Nnamdi Oguno-Onuora(1983), Prof. C. I. Okpokwasili, Prof. B. C. Nwosu, Prof. F. E. Ikediugwu, Prof. Bertram Okolo, Prof. N. C. Nwankwo, Prof. Andrew W. Mellon and so many other Dengramite's professors.

I must commend the famous DMGS class of 1957, the only set that took up a plaque for the reconstruction of DMGS building after the Nigeria/Biafra civil war in 1970.
DMGS is the ‘primus inter pares’. At 95, DMGS have done great things. We therefore celebrate our dear alma mater and of course, to celebrate us. In the words of my brother, Prof. N. M. Umenweke(DMGS class of 1986), he states that ‘DMGS is no longer an institution, DMGS is now a dynasty’. Honestly, DMGS is more than a school. DMGS, our school of hope. What shall it profit a man who have everything and yet he didn't attend the great DMGS?.

Anthem-

We continue showing the light that is being embed in us. Proceeding to celebrate our centenary, we must have even greater achievements to commemorate. We are Dengramites, we show the light.
Thou whose Almighty word,
Chaos and darkness heard,
And took their flight,
Hear us we humbly pray,
And where thy gospel day,
Sheds not his glorious rays,
Let there be light.

LUX FIAT!!!

Uchechukwu C. Muoneke, B.Eng.

ANSMEDIA:
Random pictures of DMGS Onitsha