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C.M.S. Grammar School, Lagos
Founded June 6, 1859 (First Secondary School in Nigeria)
OLD GRAMMARIANS SOCIETY - AMERICAS
HomeGeorge Jacob - Biography

Mr. George Jacob - Biography

George Jacob and Saramma George at the OGS Americas Convention in 2021

George Jacob was born in June 1941 in Travancore, a princely state in British India, the second of 6 Children and eldest son to his father V.G Chacko, and mother, Annamma Chacko. He was the first in his extended family to go to college, graduating with a Bachelor of Science from St. Thomas College Pala, and subsequently a masters in science from St. Thomas College, Kozhencherry graduating with a first class – the highest grade level possible.

Post getting married in 1965, he and his wife emigrated to Nigeria as teachers, starting his career in Eastern Nigeria in Nnewi prior to the Civil War, and subsequently in Ejigbo. After the Civil War, he was hired  at C.M.S Grammar School, Lagos. His Career at C.M.S would run till 1985 during which time he become the Head of the Department of Science, responsible for the School Timetable, WAEC Exams, and saw several of his students go on to a career in Medicine and other professions through great institutions of higher education like Unilag. His dedication to his students was second to none, with several long nights preparing lesson notes and specimens for practical exams, his work ethic instilled in him as a boy never left him. He would also have the distinction of having a 100% pass rate for all his A-Level Biology students in several years of his tenure at the C.M.S. Grammar School, something that gave him much pride and joy. The Grammar School Anglican culture ran deep in those early years, and many morning assemblies were conducted by Mr. Jacob, with the music master at his Piano, and impeccably dressed prefects. Other notable cultural activities included the Founder’s Day celebrations at Cathedral Church of Christ, and Games Day with Mr. Jacob as the head of Gordon House.

George Jacob – Circa 1971 leading Gordon House 

The tradition and great name of C.M.S. Grammar School afforded Mr. Jacob several opportunities including the unique experience of meeting the Apollo 17 Astronauts on their visit to Nigeria in 1971 at the American Embassy in Lagos. He recalls meeting the astronauts, and them showing pictures of Africa, and India the astronauts took from space. Haven lived in India, Nigeria, the United States, and haven visited several other countries in Europe and Asia, Mr. Jacob will categorically say that the Nigeria of the 60’s through when he left in 1985 was a great life and living experience, living amongst a kind and caring community, rooted in faith and the culture of the Grammar School.

After leaving Nigeria in 1985, he returned to India for a period of 4 years till 1989 when he emigrated to the United States at the age of 48 to secure a better future for his family. Today at the age of eighty-two, he bears witness to two of his grandchildren securing admission to Medical School, and two others in college, and one finishing high school. He enjoys time farming, and spending time with the family. In 2021 when he turned 80 years old, and he was fortunate to have the C.M.S. Old Grammarians Society Convention in Philadelphia (he home town in the US.) He and his beloved wife Saramma were there, and seeing his former students at the various events and dinner breathed new energy and life into him. 

The George Family and OGS Americas Members at the Philadelphia Convention in 2021



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