BISHOP ELUE, ALONG SIDE EHIWARIOR, OTHERS, COMMISSIONS REBUILT ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE, ALIHAGU
By Amos Chukwuekwu
In a bid to improve access to quality education in Alihagu community in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, the new St. John’s College was blessed and commissioned on Tuesday October 15, 2024.
The new school facilities which include St. John’s Nursery and Primary School as well as St. John’s College, was rebuilt and donated to the Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku by Prince Ebeano Supermarket and was commissioned by His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Michael Odogwu Elue.
The auspicious event was attended by the Executive Chairman of Ika South Local Government Area, Hon. Engr. Jerry Ehiwarior, the NDDC Chairman, Barr. Chiedu Ebie who was represented by Hon. Fred Ofume, the Commissioner for Education of Delta State, was also represented, the chairman of Catholic Education Commission of Issele Uku Diocese, Rev. Fr. Dr. Emmanuel Ogbolu, Hon. Aleh, Priests from the Diocese, Elders including women and youths of the host community, amongst others.
In his key note address, the principal of the school, Rev. Fr. Jude Iloba welcomed and appreciated all that came to witness the event, saying that they are grateful to God for His blessings upon His children.
He disclosed that the Catholic Diocese of Issele Uku established the school to bring quality education to young boys within Agbor metropolis and beyond, saying that the school was officially opened on Friday October 18, 1996 and started in an apartment donated by late Chief Oriahi at market Street, Alihagu.
He added that the school was moved to the permanent site in Amahia community, Alihagu on Sunday January 15, 2006, hinting that the whole process of difficult and humble beginning was under the leadership of Mr. Arthur Aniemeke whom he said served as the principal of the school for 24 years.
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Fr. Iloba hinted that he served under Mr. Aniemeke as a vice principal from August 2011 till his retirement in June, 2019, noting that the Catholic Church is indeed grateful to him for his selfless services.
He revealed that he (Fr. Iloba) was appointed the principal on Monday June 24, 2019, saying that one of the major challenges they faced was the area of infrastructure.
Continuing, Rev. Fr. Iloba averred that he had several discussions with his Bishop and eventually went into a subtle discussion with Mr. David Ojei (Co-founder of Prince Ebeano Supermarket) and Mr. Sunday Egede, affirming that they came up with a huge plan of rebuilding the whole school as well as providing the school with modern learning facilities.
He disclosed that the foundation of the new St. John’s College was laid by the former Director of Catholic Education Commission of Issele Uku Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Banye on Wednesday March 16, 2022, saying that before now, they had one block of six classrooms with a computer room and staff room, a multipurpose hall with rooms attached to it for the chaplain seminarians and the cook, as well as a block of hostels for Boarders with the principal’s office/apartment attached to it.
In his words, “To the glory of God, Prince Ebeano Supermarket did not give us only classroom blocks but provided us with St. John’s Nursery and Primary school, Information and Technology Centre powered by 20KV solar energy, a well-furnished and equipped science laboratory, a library, solar security lights and classroom chairs/ tables that can take up to four hundred students at a time”, he disclosed.
The principal further stated that the nursery school playground and lawn tennis, basketball and volley ball courts are almost ready, saying that it is unprecedented and beyond their expectation.
While expressing his gratitude to God for the donors, Mr. Sunday Egede and Mr. Davide Ojei, founders of Prince Ebeano Supermarket, Fr. Iloba stated that with the new facilities, they have now opened St. John’s College to boys and girls, saying that though the boarding facility for now is only for boys.
In his brief remark, the NDDC Chairman, Barr. Chiedu Ebie commended Prince Ebeano Supermarket for an impressive and good work well done, saying that the new St. John’s College is a full comprehensive entity for the Alihagu community.
Barr. Ebie, who was represented by Hon Fred Ofume, said it is the same Prince Ebeano Supermarket that rebuilt Uwaifo Primary School in Ewuru, and other schools, disclosing that the group has carried out several enviable projects in Ika land.
He applauded the donor for giving back to the society, affirming that posterity will never forget Prince Ebeano Supermarket for taking time to build for the future by investing heavily in education.
While commending Prince Ebeano Supermarket for the landmark upliftment of St. John’s College, Barr. Ebie urged the host community to protect the new facilities from undue vandalism and ensure that the facilities are judiciously used for the development of their children.
He assured the proprietor of the school, Bishop Elue, that NDDC will always collaborate with him and contribute their quota in the growth and development of the school.
On his part, the representative and one of the directors of Prince Ebeano Supermarket, Mr. Chidi Kossi said the new St. John’s College is a complex of 7 blocks, saying that they will continue to invest in critical infrastructures that will directly impact the lives of the people.
He emphasized that the vision behind the construction of the school is to essentially provide an enabling learning environment that will give their childrenthe requisite education that will make them functional members of the society, and be able to rise to their full potentials and meet the challenges of the 21st century.
Mr. Kossi affirmed that with the exemplary Corporate Society Responsibility (CSR) project, they are leaving footprints on the sands of time, and to be remembered long after they have all gone as a legacy as an emblem of their unflinching commitment both to the development of human capital and national development.
According to him, “The school is fully equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including a large computer/ICT Centre and library; The ICT lab is solar powered, internet enabled with 65 computers, two teachers laptop, smart board and a projector”.
“There are also five large science labs (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Home Economics and Agric); Also significant of note are the materials supplied for use in these laboratories to further help the students and teachers to excel”, he said.
Mr. Kossi urged all present to have a spirit that encourages great vision, using the opportunity to call on Deltans and Nigerians in general to always contribute to developmental projects no matter how little, pointing out that every contribution means something.
He maintained that various schools have produced great men and women who are doing well in their various field of career, charging them to come back home and carry out projects that will add value to the people of their communities.
In his words, “We do not have to be extremely wealthy before we can be a blessing to someone; The important thing is that with the little at our disposal, we must try to impact lives positively”, he concluded.
Also speaking, the Ika South Executive Chairman, Hon. Engr. Jerry Ehiwarior described the new project as wonderful, saying that he is impressed with the good work of Prince Ebeano Supermarket.
He stated that he is truly happy that people have started realizing that Government cannot do it alone, especially in the area of education, saying that the future of every society lies on the children.
The Chairman enjoined all present to invest more on the education of their children, saying that it is the only area to broadening their heart, empower their minds and give them the proper and needed orientation.
The pioneer principal of St. John’s College, Mr. Arthur Aniemeke, Mr. Felix Onwugbenu, Mr. Goddy Ibe, a community elder, and others, in their separate remarks commended Prince Ebeano Supermarket for a good work well done, saying that the people of Alihagu community are indeed overwhelmed with joy.
They urged the school management as well as the host community to ensure that the new facilities are safe from vandalism, charging them to make good use of the facilities.
Commissioning the school, the bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Michael Odogwu Elue appreciated the donor for hugely impacting on the community and the children, saying that with the presence of the new facilities, education will be easier for the students.
He stated that he is truly overjoyed as Prince Ebeano Supermarket never asked the school to bring any money to erect the new school edifice, saying that he is indeed grateful.
He assured the donor and the host community that the new facilities will be judiciously used for its purpose.