By Nkechi Ojukwu
Following the failure of government to adequately take responsibilities about schools in Imo state towards providing necessary materials, school buildings and providing conducive learning environment for pupils which has left the citizens with only poor educational system, the Social Aid International Centre(SAIC) elected to give a helping hand.
The NGO founded by a philanthropist, Ezeji Iyke Ezeji decided to procure and donate some vital materials, such as: School Uniforms, Sandals/Socks, Books and other writing materials to Town School Obohia in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA of Imo State, on October 11, 2024.
The Founder of the Social Aid International Centre, Ezeji Iyke Ezeji, presented the items to the teachers and pupils in the school premises with the aimed of raising the standards to exceed that of private schools in Obohia .
“Because these pupils are our children we can not keep waiting for the government and they will end up being “educated illiterates” which will affect our society in the future.
Duke Ezeji also pointed out that the initiative is tailored for schools that are in need of materials for quality education ,especially our primary pupils and also for health centers, to reduce the death rate in our area which we are going to embark on in a possible time”.
Addressing the audience while presenting the school materials, he revealed that his visit to the school and findings from the Headmistress prompted him into rehabilitating the school, providing recreational facilities and giving learning materials.
“Based on our engagement with the school we also discovered that teachers were also lacking, I asked the principal to employ more teachers to facilitate learning.”
He informed that for over 3 years the Social Aid International Centre has been paying the tuitions.
“Town School Obohia is owned by Imo state government but it presently has been lifted to private standard and the play ground was built for them to be acquainted with it like their counterparts in private schools. This is one of the best , amongst schools in Ahiazu , we have done our part the teachers should take up their own responsibilities.
“We recognize the efforts of the teachers despite the fact that they are not well paid by the government, but I am appealing to the teachers to consider the importance of education in the life of our children and teach them with maximum priority for the sack of our families and society .
“God will surely reward you, I’m not doing these to show that I am over rich or interested in any elective positions, but because of my determination to ensure that these children are well educated and would be useful to all us and the future generations “.
The philanthropist and Duke of Ahiazu emphasized that as part of his responsibility to stand by the already made financial commitment to the school, he will send inspectors, monthly to checkmate teachers to enhance standard of teaching and to confirm the performance of the students.
He promised that once achieved it would further motivate him to offer more to the school.
He further disclosed that based on the request made by the Headmistress on moral instructions to impact word of God on the students and improve their moral lives, he has called on the attention of Rev.Father Raphael Lily of C.K.C. Parish Obohia in that regard.
The Rev Fr he stated has obliged to take them on moral classes inorder to mould them in the right behaviour and attitude as future leaders.
The Duke added that Social Aid International Centre,will also provide Solar light to secure the recreational facilities.
The founder of SAIC, also appreciated the Parents Teachers Association,PTA members, teachers, youths, and SAIC family for their encouragement to the gesture.
He went ahead to admonish the students to always be regular in school and on time and reaffirmed his readiness to eak out from whatever God has blessed him with and invest on humanity.
Expressing her gratitude to Ezeji Iyke for the gesture, the Headmistress of the school Mrs. Ebringa Maureen Ogechi, explained that it’s obvious that government has failed in her responsibilities in ensuring healthy educational system in the state and Nigeria generally.
” I attended a meeting alongside PTA representatives, held by Imo State Universal Board of Education (IMSUBEB), State Ministry of Education and Federal Ministry of Education respectively at the LGA and made it clear to us that the education system has collapsed.I urged every community to take up the obligation to rehabilitate and revive schools in their area”.
Giving the ugly situation of education system both at state and federal level, the teachers of Town School Obohia assured of being committed in teaching the students .
” The founder of SAIC had promised to pay us and we shall make him proud, by impacting knowledge to the students as required,” the Headmistress reassured.
Mrs. Ebringa, appealed to the guardians to prepare their children early to school, monitor them to do their home work, and train them to be of good behaviour.
Rev. Father Val Anyanwu of Pater Noster Secondary school Ekwereazu , described the Founder, Social Aid International Centre SAIC , as a philanthropist who has contributed immensely to humanity especially for rebranding the school and also provides learning materials for the students in this present economic situation ,even with the total economic meltdown in Nigeria, because of his generosity he was able to make it achievable.
He also noted that this is the first of it’s kind in the history of the community.
He maintained that government has failed in regards to educational system and in maintaining the schools which has increased the population of private schools despite that many of them are business oriented.
“Recording the things that our brother has done in the school it will attract more students and motivate teachers”
Rev. Father Val recalled that the school is his Alma Mater and they had quality education during their years, reason being that teachers were well paid, he charged other wealthy sons of Obohia to follow suit to revive education to enable the younger generation access quality learning .
” I’m happy to see these projects and asked God to continue to prosper him to do more as he promised to invest in people’s lives ,this means that training these Children they shall stand as good citizens that would be beneficial to community, society and humanity “.
In conclusion, he advised Nigerians to be patriotic , in a way they that we can give back to the society since government has failed us. ” Every individual should key into this gesture,by using part of their richly blessed resources to develop their communities in both roads, market,water, electricity and others if we volunteer to do these we would have a better Nigeria irrespective of bad leaders in this country , he has challenged all of us including myself in that line let’s always think about what we could do in our Communities for our country to be a better place” he stressed.
Speaking,the PTA Chairman, Mr. Albert Unanka lauded Duke Ezeji for making history and described him as a man of many parts who does everything that would move Umuocha Community forward both in Church, he has done numerous things in this school which includes: repainting of the school, clearing of the premises, rebuilding of sign post, renovation of classrooms, provision of desks and chairs, provision of teachers, providing recreational equipment, new school uniform and others.
Finally, he emphasized that the founder of SAIC. has spirit of giving and on behalf of PTA members , “I commend you for assisting the teachers by paying their salaries also for paying our children’s WAEC fee, our parents should remember Duke Ezeji in their daily prayers and we have to ensure that we keep our Children’s uniform neat and encourage them to be in school immediately school reopens” .
One Mrs. Stella Uwaemenyi from Umuocha Community promised that she would register more of her Children in the school because of their present standard, expressed happiness for what Ezeji Iyke has done so far despite economic hardship and asked God to continue to bless him, to do more.