Once upon a time, Plato College Sharam was a leader in academic excellence and discipline among schools in Nigeria

Once upon a time, Plato College Sharam was a leader in academic excellence and discipline among schools in Nigeria

By: Balami Lazarus

This article is dedicated to the living and dead. My teachers at Sharam, the 1978 intakes. For my wonderful classmates at Plato College. And for those before me, nice to have you as schoolmates.

I will use the “I” and “we” pronouns interchangeably because I was there as a student one cold morning of September 1978, where I spent two and a half academic sessions and left in 1980, leaving behind good and competitive classmates.

We of the 1978 intakes came from different parts of the country, from places like Yola, Lagos, Maiduguri, and Sokoto, and from other towns and cities as teenagers—boys and girls.

We that came from the city of Jos, few knew each other, while many for the first time. But Plato brought us together as students in Sharam to drink from the fountains of knowledge and discipline provided by Plato College Sharam near Kabwir in the Kanki Local Government Area of Plateau State. This came through Dr. Samuila Ndayako of blessed memory.

Similarly, classrooms, dormitories, and group work, assignments, and games were the cause of saving punishment that marked the beginning of my friendships with boys like Nash John Wash Pam, Jolomi David Amogoriye, Yau Dangana, Ismail Abdul, Thomas Owmeri, Gbenga (Kaduna), Kenneth Anosike, Edna Menta, and a few other students. I hope believing is well with them.

When I met with a few of them recently, it was a flashback of nostalgia of our days at Plato College Sharam as boys and girls full of life and dreams. Plato was a place to remember for two reasons, whether you like it or not: character and learning through academic excellence and discipline that you cannot take away. “One of the best-performing schools in the whole country in the West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) for many years running.” Records as follows: 1979 to 1986: 100%; 1990: 100%. From 1994 to 1995, 100% was also achieved. And in 1997, 100% was made.

Sharam had never had it below average. The few of us that left for other schools manifested the academic training we got at Plato, where we were able to redeem it in character and learning.

Plato College Sharam is a co-educational institution established and owned by Dr. Samuila Ndayako, who was the Rector of the school. It came into existence on the 29th of September 1973 as Yakubu Gowon College but was later changed to Plato College in 1975 due to the circumstances surrounding General Yakubu Gowon in the year 1975. Political/military historians and journalists will know better of what took place.

The late Dr. Samuila Ndayako has left an indelible mark on the history of education in Nigeria. He was the first individual to start a private secondary school in the then North Central State, present Kaduna State, known as Balewa Memorial College at Samaru-Zonkwa, in 1967-1st April 1972, when the government took over mission schools and others from their rightful owners. Besides, he was also the first Northerner to

established a private secondary school. Equally one among the early individual proprietors of

private schools in Nigeria.

Sharam was a place for high moral and academic standards where you are expected to behave well. It opened our eyes to excellent academic performances, which regimented our minds for excellence. Plato during our days is where failure is not tolerated, even as a neighbor talks less as a co-tenant. Therefore, Plato College was the walkway for excellent performances for Platonians of Sharam.

It was where I learned the differences between discipline and punishment and understood that when discipline fails, you have no option other than to apply punishment. Here I learned of beneficial punishments that benefit all students and the school.

Plato College provided us with equal opportunities of a school environment as students. An environment where you are carried along and treated like any other student.

It was in Sharam that I understood the meaning of physical and mental work with its endless dividends. For many of us, it has become part of us to this day. Our Rector has always said it loud and clear that “no student I will train will end up useless.”

We were taught respect and its abundant benefits. As a co-educational institution of learning, we (the boys) are made to show respect and care and treat the girls with love. And we considered them anytime, anywhere as our sisters, because we were also taught to be responsible as future men and leaders.

At Sharam, obedience to school rules and regulations is a must. In fact, the military environment will bow to Plato College during our time.

Notwithstanding, Plato College had her challenges during our time, like extreme cold weather and water and electricity. Our seniors were strict on rules and regulations; some are bullies. However, every student, boy or girl, is made to have senior students as school fathers or mothers to guide and assist him or her from time to time.

What I had also learned personally from the life of Dr. Samuila Ndayako are honesty, boldness, fearlessness, and perseverance.

My school father was Senior Dung Peter, a kindhearted and brilliant student. Who has assisted and guided me to understand why I was in Sharam? I appreciate you.

Balami, Publisher/Columnist 08036779290

Once upon a time, Plato College Sharam was a leader in academic excellence and discipline among schools in Nigeria