30 Years Later, GSS Suleja Class of ’96 Finds Its Way Back to One Another

Abuja reunion rekindles old friendships, memories and emotions as former classmates meet face-to-face after three decades

By Okwo Romeon

For three decades, members of Government Secondary School (GSS) Suleja Class of 1996 have gone their separate ways, building careers, raising families and living lives far removed from the classrooms where their youthful dreams first began.

In Abuja, though, it felt like those 30 years just melted away.

The reunion of the GSS Suleja Class of ’96, held in Abuja, brought former classmates together in an emotional celebration of friendship, shared memories, achievements and the strong bond formed during their secondary school days.

For some, it was their very first face-to-face meeting with old schoolmates in 30 years.

The occasion was more than just a get-together. It was a chance to reconnect with the past, celebrate the present and renew the promise of staying in touch for life.

From School Gates to Three Decades of Life

Looking back on the journey, the President of the Class of ’96, Wakili Adamu, popularly known as Adamsy, said it all started 30 years ago when they entered GSS Suleja as young students full of dreams and big hopes.

“Thirty-six years ago, we walked through the gates of Government Secondary School, Suleja, as young students, full of dreams, hopes and aspirations,” he said.

Over the years, members of the Class of ’96 have gone on to build careers, raise families and achieve milestones in different fields. But according to Adamu, the bond they formed back then has never really gone away.

The reunion simply brought that connection back to life, giving classmates the chance to catch up, share stories and reflect on how far they’ve all come since leaving school.

An Emotional Homecoming

The Abuja gathering was filled with excitement, nostalgia and plenty of emotions.

Many attendees were thrilled to see familiar faces again, while others were simply grateful for the chance to reconnect after such a long time.

Among those present were Engineer Michael Ajah, Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Sanaje and Engineer Niyi Akinola.

Their interactions showed just how strong the friendships formed during their school years still are.

For many, names that had only lived in memory suddenly had faces again, bringing the past right back into the present.

Emmanuel Sunday aka Emmy black 

“Yesterday Was Absolutely Amazing”

One of the attendees, Emmanuel Sunday, popularly known as Emmy Black, described the reunion as a truly special experience.

“Guys, yesterday was absolutely amazing! It was great being together, catching up, laughing and just having a good time,” he said.

He added that the event was a refreshing break from everyday stress.

“Honestly, it was a much-needed break and really did wonders for my mental health,” he said.

Sunday also stressed the importance of keeping the connection alive and hoped future gatherings would be even bigger and better.

“Next time, let’s make it even bigger, better and definitely worthwhile,” he said.

Guys ReMix with  ball

Keeping the Connection Alive

Beyond the physical reunion, Sunday suggested a simple way to keep everyone in touch.

He proposed a monthly WhatsApp group video call so classmates can stay connected no matter where they are.

According to him, this would help maintain the bond rekindled in Abuja and ensure distance doesn’t weaken their friendship.

The idea reflects how digital tools are now helping old classmates stay close even after many years apart.

Akinola: Reuniting with Mike Ajah After 30 Years

For Engineer Niyi Akinola, the highlight of the reunion was finally seeing Engineer Michael Ajah again after three decades.

In a short reflection, he shared how much it meant to him.

“Good evening, great ’96. Very happy yesterday. It means a lot to me, especially meeting Mike Ajah after 30 years,” he said.

Adamu Wakili 
Class 96 President 

His words captured one of the main themes of the reunion: real friendships don’t fade with time.

More Than a Celebration

The GSS Suleja Class of ’96 reunion was more than just nostalgia and celebration.

It was also a moment for members to reflect on their individual journeys since leaving secondary school.

From classmates with shared dreams, they’ve grown into professionals, military officers, engineers, entrepreneurs and community leaders making an impact in different ways.

Even though life has taken them in different directions, they all still share the same foundation from the school that shaped them.

Remembering the Journey

The anniversary also gave room to remember the people and experiences that shaped the class.

Teachers, classmates and the wider school community remain an important part of their shared story.

Some members of the class have passed on, while others couldn’t make it due to distance or other reasons.

Still, they remain part of the Class of ’96 family.

So the gathering was both a celebration and a moment of remembrance.

One Class, One Family

At the heart of the reunion was a simple idea: one class, one family.

Even after 30 years apart, the memories and bonds from their school days are still strong.

The event showed that friendships formed early in life can survive time, distance and everything in between.

Now the focus is on keeping that bond alive.

Plans like regular virtual meetings, along with future physical reunions, could help keep the connection going.

A New Chapter Begins

While the Abuja reunion marked 30 years since the Class of ’96 left GSS Suleja, it also opened a new chapter in their relationship.

Reconnecting has inspired a stronger desire to stay in touch and build on old memories.

For Wakili Adamu, it was a moment of gratitude.

For Emmanuel Sunday, it was a chance to reconnect and laugh again with old friends.

For Niyi Akinola, it was a long-awaited reunion with a close friend after 30 years.

Together, their stories reflect something bigger: friendships that stand the test of time.

Even though life has taken them in different directions, the Class of ’96 is still tied together by a shared past.

Thirty years later, they’ve found their way back to one another.

And as they look ahead, one thing is clear:

The years may have passed, but the bond is still very much alive.