ALCON 2024 — The Breakthrough Year of Full Integration
Engr. (Dr.) IDOWU Hamed Ademayowa
The man of the people, the man with the vision and the skills to accomplish the mission; the visionary leader of SGS Alumni Association.
The year 2024 marked a defining breakthrough in the history of the Shams‑El‑Deen Grammar School Alumni Conference (SGS ALCON). After years of dialogue, persistence, and visionary leadership, the long‑pursued dream of unity across graduating sets came fully alive. ALCON 2024 was the year when unity moved from aspiration to reality.
Full Integration Achieved
For the first time since the unity journey began: The 1988/89 set came fully integrated into the central celebration. The 1991/92 set participated fully and visibly in ALCON and the number of participating branches grew to 21, the highest in the history of the conference. These milestones represented a powerful affirmation of the Association’s commitment to togetherness and the success of sustained engagement across sets. What once required persuasion and sacrifice had now become shared belief.
A New Identity: Kampala in Navy Blue & White
Another striking highlight of ALCON 2024 was the transition in official conference fabric.
For the first time, the Association moved from traditional Ankara to Kampala fabric, beautifully designed in the navy blue and white colours of the college. The result was unforgettable. Everywhere glowed with the identity of SGS, a sea of unity, pride, and belonging. The fabric was more than attire; it was a symbol of one family, one heritage, and one direction.
Awards, Fellowship & Unlimited Fun
ALCON 2024 delivered not just unity, but joy in abundance: Awards were presented to deserving members, sets embraced one another with renewed warmth and camaraderie, old boundaries dissolved as friendships crossed set lines and laughter, music, and celebration filled the atmosphere. The sense of division that once existed gave way to shared pride and collective celebration. The fun was truly unlimited, driven by the joy of finally standing together as one alumni body.
A Year of Leadership Transition
Beyond unity and celebration, ALCON 2024 also marked a significant governance milestone. This year brought the end of the tenure of the first Central Executive Committee (CEC), as it was then known. In line with the Association’s constitution and democratic principles, an election was conducted before the conference but the swearing-in ceremony was conducted during the conference.
The outcome reaffirmed confidence in visionary leadership: Engr. (Dr.) IDOWU Hamed Ademayowa was re‑elected as President, returning to office for a second term. Following the election, the swearing‑in ceremony of the newly elected Central Executive Committee took place during the ALCON 2024 event. The new executives formally assumed leadership, ushering the Association into a new phase of stability, continuity, and growth.
Vision Rewarded, Efforts Justified
ALCON 2024 was clear evidence that consistent leadership, patience, and belief in unity produce lasting results. The President’s relentless efforts over the years finally yielded the desired fruits: Full participation from previously distant sets, record‑breaking branch attendance, a unified identity and shared culture and smooth leadership transition and renewed mandate. ALCON 2024 will always be remembered as: The year unity became permanent, the year identity was boldly redefined, the year leadership was renewed and the year SGS Alumni truly stood as one family, one vision, one future.
Walk for Fitness — Setting the Pace for ALCON 2024
Like every other SGS ALCON edition, ALCON 2024 officially commenced with the symbolic Walk for Fitness, reaffirming the Association’s commitment to healthy living, unity, and collective well‑being. At the early hours of the day, alumni across generations gathered in high spirits, dressed proudly in the newly introduced navy blue and white color of the school, creating a stunning visual of unity and identity. The walk was not merely a physical exercise, it was a powerful statement of togetherness, discipline, and shared purpose.
As participants moved side by side, barriers of sets and years dissolved. Old classmates reconnected, younger alumni bonded with seniors, and conversations flowed freely in an atmosphere of joy and mutual respect. The walk served as a reminder that a strong alumni body is built not only on memories and achievements, but also on shared moments of health, movement, and solidarity.
Beyond promoting physical fitness, the event symbolized the journey of the Association itself, moving forward together, one step at a time. It set the tone for the days ahead, preparing minds and bodies for the celebrations, awards, fellowship, and unity that defined ALCON 2024. The Walk for Fitness once again proved to be the perfect opening act: Energizing, inclusive, purpose‑driven and unifying. It reinforced the message that SGS ALCON is not just a conference, but a holistic experience that nurtures body, mind, and community spirit.