WELCOME SPEECH BY CLASS OF 1993
GRAND HANDOVER OF OUR GIVE BACK LEGACY PROJECT
AMBIENCE ENTRANCE GATE, OVER 700 METERS FRONT PERIMETER FENCE AND THE SECURITY HOUSE TO OUR ALMA MATER.
A very warm welcome to the Honourable Comrade Philip Shaibu, Deputy Governor of Edo State, Most Reverend Dr. Gabriel Dunia, Catholic Bishop of Auchi, Esteemed Special Guests, Royal Fathers, Dignitaries, Current and Former Teachers, Fellow Alumni, Ladies and Gentlemen.
We also welcome and thank the Chairman for agreeing to Chair this event.
We feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to address all of you on the auspicious occasion of the grand handover ceremony of my Class of 1993 Give Back Legacy project: AMBIENCE ENTRANCE GATE, OVER 700 METERS FRONT PERIMETER FENCE AND THE SECURITY HOUSE TO OUR ALMA MATER.
Today is very important for us because it also gives us an opportunity to meet with many graduate students, former teachers, and other staff members almost 30 years after. We also get an opportunity to see the infrastructural changes and developments in the school.
It is always a thrilling moment for alumni to come back to their school grounds and interact with new students.
The Class of 1993 came together a little over a year ago to foster unity, provide desired assistance to members and give back to the school that nurtured our formative years.
What we are celebrating today is the power of unity, resilience, friendship, and collaboration, which led to achieving this and many other accomplishments since our reunion.
Once again, I am very happy to welcome you all.
We have so many activities lined up today, so I request you enjoy this entertaining evening and leave with fond memories.
God bless you all.
I will now pass it on to the Chairman of this event.
His Excellency the Deputy Governor Edo State, The Catholic Bishop Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Dunia, HRHs, Distinguished Guests, Ladies, and gentlemen.
Thank you all for honoring our invitation and sharing this special day with Class of 1993.
The Class embarked on constructing a portion of the school perimeter fence firstly to secure the school land, and for the security of students and staff of the school. The idea of the Ambience Gate Entrance is to enhance the prestige and dignity of our Alma Mater and open it up to more possibilities. We consulted with relevant stakeholders on the priority needs of the school before embarking on this onerous but fulfilling initiative. The ground-breaking ceremony held on April 19, 2021, with representation from State Education Inspectorate. We aimed to hand over the project in seven months, being December 2021.
Delivering this impressive work of our hands today is a testament to our zeal and tenacity. Fast forward four months later, our class was in ‘fundraising fatigue’ and had to resort to external funding appeal. Our first major endorsements early December was from Chief Dan Orbi, Chief Abu Inu Umoru and my dearest Husband Nnama, who I had to lean on technically and financially from the get-go. Mr. Innocent Anabor, Jane Blankson, Peter Ivaluogwe and I (members of Class Admin), constituted a kitchen cabinet that steadied the ship in faltering moments. Our ever-enthusiastic home girl Emily Aruokhai and Project Engineer/ Supervisor Benjamin Aliu, deserve mention. Today, we can proudly state that we have accomplished approximately 0.7 Kilometre (700 metres) of the front perimeter fencing, brought in ‘NEPA’ light with two high tension electric poles, threw in a few streetlights and even put our school on the World Wide Web!
There is still a long way to go to fence the whole school, considering the large expanse of land therein. This is a clarion call to all invited guests, those watching via our live-stream service, Avianwu indigenes in diaspora and people of goodwill, to please give generously towards the fencing of the whole school land.
As you are all pleasantly aware, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, built and donated an ICT Centre and fully equipped science laboratories to the school, that will be open for use by the school from today! This is a great news that is equally complimented by the imposing new Ambience Gate to herald the New Face of Ogbona Secondary School!
We look forward to our great alma matter being made a boarding school and centre of academic excellence. Our school urgently needs government funding and support, including posting quality teachers and taking care of their remunerations. We dare to hope that one day we may be upgraded to a satellite campus and (why not?) a tertiary institution. After all we have the land and clime! Our Class lingo that fired us up in moments of despondency was YES, WE CAN. Today, to the glory of God we can all proudly shout YES, WE DID. May God bless and grant us journey mercies back home to our families. YES, WE DID IT!!
Visit us @ www.Ogbonasecondaryschool.com
His Royal Highness Chief Willy Idode, welcome address at school building and gate/fence projects handing over to Edo State Government, December 27, 2021
Protocols
Today is yet another epoch-making one in our recent history as a community. I am not surprisingly elated, therefore, welcoming your excellency and other honourable and distinguished guests to this ceremony.
As you may already know, two very important projects which are key to the educational development of our community and the advancement of academic pursuit of our children and wards in Ogbona Secondary School are being handed over to the Edo State Government:
- One-kilometre long perimeter fencing and ambience gate undertaken by the Old Students of Class 1993, and
- A Block of 15 classrooms; a Reading Room; Principal and Vice Principal’s offices; Staff Common room; 3 Science labs; an ICT Centre furnished with (student desks/Teachers tables/chairs, Lab equipment, Computers/ accessories), Generator House, Generator, Power Supply, and a borehole and 20 toilets.
Your excellency, distinguished guests, we are here today because of the benevolence of our children who have pulled their personal resources as well as contacts together for the benefit of the younger generation and the community.
On behalf of the elders, leaders and people of Ogbona community, I heartily appreciate these donations. Let me thank in a very special way, our young men and women whose love for the education of our children manifested in the attraction of these projects.
Your excellency sir, as these projects are being handed over to the state government today, they form part of the community’s assistance we have always rendered to relevant authorities for the wellbeing of our people.
We are, therefore, appealing to our very forward looking governor and our dynamic, project-loving deputy governor to graciously accept the challenge of putting these projects to profitable use. First, this school requires adequate number of teachers in all subject areas as well as books and other learning materials for the library and laboratories. I will not like to mention here what presently obtains in the school. We would ask the government to give consideration to designating this World Class Computer Center as Edo State ICT Training Institute as it is bigger and better than the ICT Centre the Federal Government has just provided in one secondary school in Owan West Local Government Area.
As we all know, a perimeter fence in a school is good and useful for security but it also requires personnel for effective and purposeful maintenance of security. We, therefore, solicit the assistance of government in providing adequate security for the school infrastructure and facilities. On our part, we are ready to partner with this government in the development and improvement of critical infrastructures and services necessary to enhance the welfare, security and wellbeing of our people.
Your excellency, sir, while we look forward to having these projects being put to profitable use as soon as possible, we assure this government of our support at all times. We wish your entourage a safe journey back to Benin City. To all our distinguished guests we wish you all a Merry Christmas in advance.
Thank you and God Bless.
HRH Chief Willy Idode
Opkhe-Ukpi of Ogbona SubClan
Dec. 2021
GOODWILL MESSAGE FROM THE HONOURABLE COMMISSIONER FOR EDUCATION, EDO STATE, DR. JOAN OSA OVIAWE TO THE CLASS OF 1993, OGBONA SECONDARY SCHOOL ON THE 27TH OF DECEMBER, 2021.
It is my pleasure to felicitate with the Class of 1993, Ogbona Secondary School on the commissioning of the newly built fence for Ogbona Secondary School, Etsakor Central LGA of Edo state.
The newly built fence for the school by the Class of 1993, is an acknowledgment that the provision of education is indeed the responsibility of everyone. It is a perfect example of giving back to ones’ alma mater as good citizens of Edo state. Your contribution to the development of your alma mater is a demonstration of your passion to the growth and development of Education in Edo state.
As I celebrate you on this joyous occasion, I wish you all success in your future endeavours while remaining committed to the growth of your alma mater. Thank you and God bless.
Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe
A GOODWILL MESSAGE BY THE PRESIDENT, OGBONA IMHAKHENA DEVELOPMENT UNION, AMB. CHIEF GREGORY KAS ENEGWEA Afp Jp, AT THE OFFICIAL COMMISSIONING of HALF KILOMETRE WALL FENCE AND AMBIENCE GATE, DONATED BY THE CLASS OF 1993 OGBONA SECONDARY SCHOOL, OGBONA, ON MONDAY, 27TH DECEMBER, 2021.
We, the members of Ogbona Imhakhena Development Union (OIDU), heartily congratulate the Class of 1993 Ogbona Secondary School, Ogbona, on their momentuous grand handover of half a kilometre wall-fence and ambience gate erected by them at their alma mater on, Monday 27th December, 2021.
We commend the unique class of 1993 for their team spirit, their unity of purpose, their mission and vision, as well as their unflagging friendship maintained and sustained by them, 28 years after leaving Ogbona Secondary School. They are a rare breed of public-spirited individuals, full of energy, determination or courage, who know where things belong, and have the ability to put them there. The foregoing sterling qualities, coupled with their public work, have singled them out as worthy ambassadors of “Knowledge, Unity and Service”, which is the motto of their alma mater.
A cursory look at the magnificent edifice billed for commissioning today, reveals a well-conceived and well-executed project, whose grandeur and beauty grip one with joyous emotion, only reminiscent or analoguous with that expressed by William Wordsworth in a sonnet composed upon Westminster Bridge, which says inter alia:
“Earth has not anything to show more fair,/
Dull would he be of soul who could pass by,/
A sight so touching in its majesty.”
This half kilometre long wall fence is simply magnificent! It is a rock-solid, durable and worthwhile project, which addresses the felt-need of the people. Apart from its aesthetic improvement of the School environment, the eventual completion of this project will keep at bay, the gale of insecurity of lives and property, sweeping across the nook and crannies of the world today.
As we rejoice with team ‘93 today for a project well-conceived and well accomplished, we go down memory lane, and recall with satisfaction and glee, that the Ogbona Secondary School, around which a perimeter wall fence is being constructed, came into existence through the solo self-effort of Ogbona Community.
The school started in 1980, and between 1986 and today, a total of 35 classes have passed through it, out of which class ‘93 is the 8th in the series. We therefore commend this unique diligent and extraordinary class, for a job rendered pro bono publico, and we thank them for their exemplary performance which has singled them out as the proverbial goldfish in the series of graduates of the school.
Welcome Address by Mr. Thaddeus M.O. Anabor, Principal, Ogbona Senior Secondary School, Ogbona
I, on behalf of the staff and students of Ogbona Secondary School welcome all of you to this all-important ceremony. I thank the almighty God for making it possible for me to witness this handing over ceremony.
This legacy project (School gate entrance ambience and front perimeter fence) is a dream come true. When I was transferred to this school in February 202, the school was in need of furniture. I approached some old students for assistance and I was told they will look into my request. The Class of 93 came up with idea they will build toilets for the school which I vehemently rejected. I suggested to them that we need a perimeter fence and a school gate. When the architectural design of the school gate was sent to me, I laughed and told myself that the project may not be accomplished because of its gigantic nature and also because of the economic recession created by covid-19 pandemic.
In spite of paucity of funds created by the pandemic, the Class 93 has done what Napoleon could not do. Today, we are witnessing the handing over of the magnificent edifice to Edo state government. Thank you, my amiable and dependable Class 93, for accomplishing this project. The God I serve will never depart from you all.
Let me use this opportunity to appeal to other classes to emulate Class 93. This project is still ongoing. We need your assistance to ensure its early completion. I appeal to all old students of this great institution to come together under one umbrella. They should unite to form an old students’ association. There is a popular adage that says “unity is strength.”
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the task of building and re-building this great citadel of learning is an enormous one, let all of us unite to accomplish it.
Apart from the fence, the school is in need of the following:
- Renovation and furnishing of the examination hall
- Purchasing and supply of sports equipment
- Furnishing of the school library with modern textbooks
- Employment of more teachers and others that are not mentioned in this address.
Let me also use this opportunity to thank Ogbona Elites Forum for the employment and regular payment of thirteen teachers since the past six years.
My thanks also go to HRH the Okpeukpi of Ogbona, and his Palace Chiefs for their numerous assistances to the school. I want to use this opportunity to remind the Edo state Government that more teachers should be deployed to the school as we have only two principals and a teacher in the school.
Thank you all. I wish you journey mercies to your respective destinations.
Mr. Thaddeus M.O. Anabor,
Principal, Ogbona Senior Secondary School, Ogbona
