•By Christopher Areghan Eichie, Esq
An Alumni Association is more than a group of former classmates,it is a living, breathing family of individuals who once walked the same halls, studied under the same roofs, and shared youthful dreams under a common banner. It is a fellowship that transcends time, distance, and differences.
Alumni Associations exist across the globe today, serving as a safe haven where memories are rekindled, friendships are renewed, and networks are strengthened. They provide a space to relive the laughter, the lessons, and the legacy of our formative years.
A Space for Maturity and Growth.
The Alumni Association is not a return to the past in immaturity but a continuation of our growth. As Apostle Paul said, “When I became a man, I put away childish things.” We are no longer those students scrambling for seats or cramming for exams. We are now parents, leaders, professionals, and mentors. The Association should reflect that maturity in our conversations, actions, and relationships.
A Platform for Support and Celebration.
The purpose of the alumni family is simple: support, connection, and contribution.
Support: We stand by one another in times of need. We uplift the weary, encourage the disheartened, and celebrate each other’s victories no prompting necessary.
Connection: Through platforms like WhatsApp, we stay in touch. But connection should not become contention. Words must be seasoned with grace, not grievances.
Contribution: When possible, we give back to our alma mater, remembering that we are products of the sacrifices made by others before us.
Honoring Our Heritage: Prof. Ambrose Alli.
For those of us privileged to be part of the Ambrose Alli University Alumni Association, we owe a debt of gratitude to the late Prof. Ambrose Folorunsho Alli, whose vision and sacrifice gave birth to the university.
Prof. Alli, during his tenure as Governor of the defunct Bendel State (1979–1983), invested immensely in education. Despite limited resources, he established the then Bendel State University (now Ambrose Alli University), making higher education accessible to countless students across the region. He believed in enlightenment as a tool for liberation, and today, we are living legacies of that belief.
To honor such sacrifice, let us ensure that our interactions—online and offline—reflect the values of unity, respect, and progress that he stood for.
Let Old Things Pass Away.
The Alumni Association is not a battlefield for old rivalries or unsettled grudges. It is not the place for quarrels, name-calling, gossip, or divisiveness. What binds us is greater than what separates us. We must let bygones be bygones. Old things must pass away; all things must become new.
We must choose peace over pride, respect over reaction, and family over faction.
The WhatsApp Group Is an Extension of Our Family Table.On platforms like WhatsApp, words are powerful. Let us use them to uplift, not to tear down. Disagreements are natural, but they must be handled with maturity and mutual respect. Let us disagree without being disagreeable.
Every member has something to offer, and every member deserves to be heard with dignity. If you wouldn’t say it in person at a family dinner, don’t type it in a group chat.
Whoever is not yet a member of an alumni association is truly missing out. You are not just joining a group ,you are reconnecting with a legacy. You are returning home.
Let us all resolve today to treat our Alumni Association as the new family that it is. In families, we listen. We forgive. We encourage. We grow.
About the Author: 
•Christopher Areghan Eichie, Esq. is a proud member of the following Alumni Associations: Ebenezer Primary School Alumni Association. Immaculate Conception College Old Boys Association.
Ambrose Alli University Alumni Association. University of Abuja Alumni Association.
Edexcel University Alumni Association
