By Princely Onyenwe, Imo
The traditional ruler of Umuoma Nekede , HRH Eze Morrison Eke Ph.D ( Omadike) recently paid a working visit to one of the oldest Elementary Schools in Owerri West LGA locate in his domain .
9News Nigeria correspodent in Owerri gathers that the Central School Nekede was founded in the early 1920s and then , pupils came to school from distant communities like Ngor Okpala , Amaeze, Emeabiam , Obinze and Avu in those early days .Today the school has lost much of her glory in comparison with her past when Headmasters were posted from Port Harcourt , Onitsha and Umuahia provinces to head the school.
The traditional ruler visited the school in company of his royal Cabinet Chairman – Surv Chief Patrick Nwaneri and the President General of the community Hon Uchenna Anyimahuawurudike .They met the Management and Staff of the School headed by the Headmistress – Mrs Juliana Okere . Her Asst Lolo Jessy Ihedigbo and other teachers were at hand to take them round the school premises.
The Eze to his dismay discovered that the roofs of most classrooms had long been destroyed by inclement weather. There was no regular public water supply and much vandalism of School property had taken place . The School compound was not fenced endangering the lives and properties of pupils of the School . Worse still , the School lacked facilities through which revenue could be internally generated.
However it was revealed that at all times, the School authorities run to the Eze of the community for financial support and assistance in their several projects. Because of this sad development, the Eze promised the Headmistress that he will reach out to illustrious sons of the community to assist in whatever manner that will uplift the status of the School .He equally promised to reach out to the Old Boys of the School to come to their rescue .
It is on record that many Old Boys of that School have today achieved success in life . The Eze lamented the death of Prof Chinua Achebe who was an Old Boy of that prominent School. Prof Achebe , he said , would have gladly assisted in rescuing the School if he were alive .
Eze Morrison Eke took out time to counsel the Primary 5 & 6 pupils of the School. He encouraged them to be diligent in their studies and shun violence, laziness and get rich quick syndromes. He advised them to always ensure they go through the lessons taught them in school everyday before going to sleep . They must not fail to di any homework given by their teachers and at the same time help their parents in the domestic chores at home ,Eze Eke concluded.
He reminded them that he was once like them and they should all strive to be more successful in life than their parents . He assured them to always strive for excellence and bear in mind that Education is the highest predictor of success in life .Before leaving the final year pupils , he challenged them with an assignment. He directed them to memorize Psalm 23 and that he will revisit their school after one week to hear them recite the psalm before him .
They must fear and worship the Lord and keep His commandments,Eze Eke cautioned them . Before departing with his entourage, Eze Eke called for the Staff roll call. The School has over 25 teachers and all of them are NCE or University degree holders. He was happy and satisfied with the performance of the Headmistress and told her she was running the School well .
Eze Eke used that opportunity to also commend the Government of Governor Hope Uzodinma for ensuring that eminently qualified teachers were posted to teach our children in this formative stage of their lives .He saw it as a very healthy development in the State’s Education Sector.
Pictures below show some scenes recorded during the visit.
9News Nigeria (Owerri) For inquiries on this news contact 9News Nigeria Imo State @08036856526
