By Mimi Chiadikaobi
The women wing of Enugwu-Ukwu Community Development Union (ECDU), Lagos Branch has donated a newly renovated and refurbished laboratory building to Ide Secondary School, Enugwu-Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area (LGA), Anambra State.
The President, (ECDU), Women Wing, Dr Felicia Agubata, made the disclosure while handing over the building to the Traditional Ruler of Enugwu-Ukwu, Igwe Ralph Obumneme Ekpe,
Newsmen reports on Tuesday that Agubata tasked the school authority and other stakeholders within the school environment on taking ownership of the building through quality maintenance, provision of security personnel and effective utilisation of the edifice.
Agubata, who graduated from the school in 1998 as among the first set of senior students of the Girls Secondary, recalled that the citadel of learning molded her into becoming a beacon of excellence under the tutelage of the then Principal, late Emmanuel Ozumba.
She also commended all the women and other stakeholders for their supports towards realisation of the dream even as she called on other individuals, philanthropists and old students to thinker out actions and resources for development of the school in various ways.
Agubata said that the building designated for Physics and Chemistry practical and other academic purposes got dilapidated for about six years and through a social media viral video and image originated by a concerned old student attracted the ECDU Women Wing to come for their rescue.
“over 70 percent of union women graduated from the school when it was known as Girls Secondary School Enugwu-Ukwu.
“I saw the negative image of the school originated from the social media viral video it seems unbelievable to me knowing how the school was in the 1990’s,so it pushed me into action.
“I raised it amongst the women, I got their nod so we mobilised resources through individuals contributions, donations and supports from our husbands, illustrious sons, friends and well wishers, including Mrs Olununmi Kuku,Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Airport Authority, Lagos.
“Other great contributors Chief Paul Alamah, Chief Jude Ekwunife Chife Anayo Akametalu,Chief Godwin Anagor,Dr Emeka Okonkwo, Chief Ekenechukwu Akametalu amongst others.Chief Osy Ibenegbu,
“ Our solang is Enugwu-Ukwu first, so with that we were able raise about N6m, to carried out the renovation work which included replacing broken walls and bricks, plastering, reroofing, painting, furniture and others,”Agubata said.
She said that the union recorded success by returning the institution to its former glory of excellence whose lack for some years forced many science students to seek admissions elsewhere denying the school egg heads to be associated with the school.
She commended the supervisor of the project Dr Sochima Nwadiogbu,Mr Afam Nwajike,Hyacinth Okolo the Architect and contractor of the project respectively who guided the women properly with professional advise.
Earlier,Commissioning the project, the Traditional Ruler of Enugwu-Ukwu, Ekpe commended the women for thinking “Enugwu-Ukwu First” by investing into infrastructural development, noting that it would go along way in ameliorating the suffering of students over lack of science laboratory.
Ekpe, represented by Chief Clement Nwafor, Deputy Traditional Prime Minister of the community,who used the occasion to enjoin other branches of ECDU across the country and in diaspora to emulate the gaint steps of Lagos branch.
He commended diaspora branches for their supports to lift the commubuty and urged stakeholders of the community, including philanthropists to bring back their wealth of experience and resources towards development of Enugwu-Ukwu in general.
Speaking also, the President, Enugwu-Ukwu Community Development Union (ECDU), Lagos Branch, Mr Sopulu Nwakaeze, praised their women wing for embarking on the project, which according to him, speaks volume of their industriousness and supports to respective homes.
Nwakaeze, therefore, called on leadership of ECDU from other branches to support their wives and daughters to excel in their chosen careers and contributeu resources towards building a happy home and Community.
He also assured the school authority that efforts would be made towards rebuilding of examination hall that was burnt to enable the student take their external examinations in a educational friendly environment.
Mr Ejike Onuorah, Chairman of Adagbe Avomimi where the school is sited said that the donors have ignited greater will of development in educational sector of the community and assured that the village will take ownership of the building.
Onuorah who was represented by Mr Nnaemeka Okeke in company of some of the members of the village executive promised to do their best to ensure that activities of the miscreants who carts away the school property is checked.
Mrs Uju Ukeh the Vice Principal, General duties and head Science teachers said that science classes will resume in earnest now the building is completed.
She appreciated the union and urged them not to relent in their responsibility as Nation builder and home makers.
Miss Damian LoveJoy, a student of Junior Secondary three and Miss Mmesomma Okeke of Senoir Secondary 1,individually appreciated the women and promised to be diligent with their studies.
Speaking in an interview, the Principal, Ide Secondary School, Enugwu-Ukwu, Mrs Christiana Obidindu, described the kind gesture as a step in right direction, noting that it would assist them in recording more successes in their academic endeavours.
Obidindu, who commended the donors, government and other philanthropists for supporting the school with infrastructure and equipment for academic excellence, however, made case for provisions of perimeter fencing and security personnel so as to secure the institution from incessant miscreants attacks who usually make away with the school properties.
Matron Amaka Ideh elugoised the President and noted that she followed the footprint of the founding members of union women’s wing and urged her never to put off the light.
Ideh commended Agubata’s style of leaderships and advised that the union should maintain the standard of election women of worth and integrity to run the affairs of the union always.
The event was witnessed by high ranking cabinet chief and women from the union.
