Laughter, warm embraces, and long conversations filled the air as members of the Department of Theatre Arts, Class of 2001, reunited in Owerri, more than two decades after they left the university. For many, it was the first time in years they were seeing classmates who once shared lecture halls, rehearsal spaces, late-night scripts, and youthful dreams.
The homecoming was not just about memories; it was about reconnecting as people who had grown, struggled, succeeded, and survived life beyond the campus.
“We Just Wanted to Be Together Again”
For Chioma Ikechukwu, Chairperson of the Planning Committee and Director of Pino Cee Construction Limited, the reunion was deeply personal.
“It has been a long time since we sat together like this,” she said with a smile. “Yes, we are here to enjoy ourselves, but more importantly, we wanted to come together again as a family — to talk, to laugh, to see how far everyone has come, and to think about how we can support one another and give back to society.”
Her words reflected the general mood of the gathering — relaxed, joyful, and reflective.
Remembering Where It All Began
Chinedu Opara, President of the Alumni Association and a Senior Administrative Officer at the Mbari Cultural Centre, Imo State, described the reunion as emotional.
“These are people I grew up with,” he said. “We went through our formative years together. Over the years, life scattered us across different places and professions, but today reminds us that the bond is still there.”
He paused briefly as he remembered the late Ngozi, a classmate who passed away during their student days.
“Apart from her, we are all still here. That alone is a blessing. Today is about catching up, remembering our journey, and asking ourselves what we can do for the school that shaped us.”
Travelling Far for Familiar Faces
For Ngozi Okonkwo, a member of the planning committee and Chairperson of Keeping Marriage Alive Initiative (KMAI), the reunion was worth every mile.
“I travelled from Lagos just to be here,” she said. “This event means a lot to me. We graduated over 20 years ago, and everyone has come a long way. Seeing my classmates again, hugging them, laughing like old times — it’s an amazing feeling.”
She praised the collective effort of the planning committee and expressed gratitude to the alumni leadership for making the reunion possible.
Gratitude, Growth, and Shared History
Anthony Nwosu, Alumni Secretary and CEO of Conn8 Media Solutions NG, looked around the room and smiled as he spoke.
“We are thankful — thankful to God and thankful for one another. We grew up together, acted together, struggled together, and celebrated small wins together. Life has taken us in different directions, but today shows that the foundation we built back then is still strong.”
A Department Still Proud of Its Children
The Head of the Department, Dr. Ifenyinwa Uzondu, watched the interactions with visible pride.
“What we see here is love and unity,” she said. “Theatre is about human connection, and this reunion shows that the values learned here stayed with them. This gathering is not just about theatre; it is about expressing love, faith, and gratitude.”
Faces, Stories, and Journeys
The reunion drew familiar faces who have gone on to build fulfilling careers in journalism, academia, business, media, and public relations. Among them were Sam Anokam, a veteran journalist; Dr. Ikechukwu Ejelonu, now a lecturer in the department; Benjamin Ihekornye, a businessman based in Port Harcourt; Ken Amadi, a CEO in Owerri; Sunny Ikwuagwu, a PR professional in the energy sector; alongside Oscar Ochiogu, Chidi Awoniyi, Nee Igbokwe, Pauline, Pet Nwanjoku, and Chizoba Ajoku, whose support stood out throughout the event.
Each face carried a story of growth, resilience, and the quiet pride of having once been part of the same classroom.
Keeping the Memories Alive
One of the most touching moments of the day was the unveiling of the class’s annual magazine, created to preserve memories, celebrate achievements, and keep the class connected beyond the reunion.
Supported by organisations such as Keeping Marriage Alive Initiative (KMAI), Kring Hospital Limited, Splendid Products Nigeria Limited, ELCE Fashion House, Menxtt NG, and Pino Cee Construction Limited, the event ended with renewed promises to stay connected and do more together.
As the evening wound down, it was clear that the Theatre Arts Class of 2001 had rediscovered something priceless — not just memories of the past, but a shared sense of belonging that time had not erased.
