According to an unknown author, “Without vision you are just playing with your life. Men and women with vision see more and further than others. They have empires in their brains”. Indeed, the above words speak great volume about Mr. Frank Aziken, who has made his mark on the sand of time, having retired meritoriously after thirty five years of outstanding performance, a feat which has earned him an award as, “The Best Principal of The Year 2018”.
The award presentation to Mr. Frank Aziken, took place at the Principal’s office of the Ogbemudein Model Secondary School, Agbor, recently, with the Vice-Principals and some teachers of the school in attendance.
In a brief remark, Mrs. Uju Okoh of the Frontline News Asaba, the organization which considered Mr. Frank Aziken for the award, stated that it has been their culture to recognize and appreciate personalities that have excelled in their profession and through their performance have brought peace and respect to Nigeria our country, explaining that within this period, they beamed their touch light on schools that have performed greatly in the area of conducts and academic achievements. Continuing, she stated that Ogbemudein Model Secondary School, Agbor, during the administration of Mr. Frank Aziken, was rated as one of the best schools in Delta State, saying that the Principal Mr. Aziken, in the same vein, was discovered as a principal of great integrity, disclosing that he was recommended by the first member of the Education Board, Delta State, as one of the principals that have achieved great success during his service years; hence the award of meritorious service.
Mrs. Okoh, congratulated the retiring principal, vice principals and teachers of the school for their contributions in the development of the students and the school, and prayed God to grant them good health and long life to enjoy the fruit of their labour.
In a brief speech, Mr. Frank Aziken, stated that retirement is like Christmas, immediately when we finish celebrating it today, we know when next it will be celebrated again, saying that once a person takes up an appointment, he or she knows definitely when they will retire hence it’s not something that comes to one as a surprise. Continuing, he said as a teacher and principal, he is convinced within himself that he has done well, having created extra time to help humanity, emphasizing that the duty of the teachers is to contribute in seeing how the dullest student in the class can learn, understand and excel in his studies.
Continuing, he stated that he feels very happy and fulfilled seeing the quality of students that he has produced over the years and the mutual relationship between him and those students till date. He also extended his gratitude to the state government for the opportunity to serve, the Honourable commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education Delta State, most especially the first member Mrs. Ngozi Agborma, also to the management of Frontline News for considering him for the award. He noted that the award also came on the day he was retiring, making it unique. He emphasized that the benefits of education is immeasurable, saying that the only way the son of a poor man can be on the same level with the son of a rich man is through education. Mr. Aziken, also thanked the members of staff for their maximum cooperation, he urged them to further extend the cooperation he enjoyed from them to the acting principal and the person that might later be appointed to take over from him. He prayed God to bless them abundantly.
In the same vein, Mr. Ideh Mathew, the Head of Department for Geography and Chief Sunny Emeri, the Agbasogun of Umunede Kingdom, who also doubles as the vice principal Administration of the school; both extolled the sterling quality of the outgoing principal whom they noted was a very good administrator who is committed in his duties and loves carrying his colleagues along in achieving set goals.
According to his citation, the renowned physicist and educationist, Mr. Frank Aziken, was born twin (both males) in 1962, into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Augustine Osadolor Aziken, of Omumu, Agbor community in Ika South LGA of Delta State. He attended St. Roman Catholic School, Omumu, from where he proceeded to Benin Technical College, Benin City in 1974 where he graduated in 1979, and gained admission same year to study Mathematics/Physics at the faculty of science, University of Benin (Iyaro Campus), which was converted to College of Education.
His career as a teacher took him to Owa Secondary School, Owa-Oyibu, between 1983-1987, from where he was transferred to Agwaewuru Secondary School, Ewuru, Agbor. After 121/2 years at Ewuru, he was posted to Gbenoba Grammar School, Agbor in 1999. In 2012, he was transferred to Mein Grammar School, Kiagbodo in Burutu LGA of Delta State as a vice principal. Again in 2013, he was transferred to Oloduwa Secondary School, Opuama in Warri North LGA of Delta State as Principal. Same 2013, he was transferred to Alisimie Mixed Secondary School as the principal. January 2018, he was again transferred to Ogbemudein Model Secondary School as the principal from where he retired on Friday October 5, 2018.
As a Physics teacher, because of his extra dedication to duty, his students did excellently well in physics in both WAEC and NECO examinations.
Through his tutelage, the students represented Delta State in physics and JET competition in Sokoto, Akure, Abuja, Ife, Uyo and Ghana. In 2005, they took third position in physics throughout the Federation at Ife titled, “28th years of physics”.
High point of the ceremony was the formal presentation of the award plaque to Mr. Aziken, by Mrs. Uju Okoh of Frontline News Asaba, and taking of group photographs with the awardee by the staff and students of Ogbemudein Model Secondary School, Agbor; as they wished him good health and a fulfilled retirement.