The Traditional Ruler of Edem-Ani Ogwugwu Ancient Kingdom in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Samuel Asadu, alongside his wife, Her Majesty, Lolo Happiness Asadu, has donated N12 million to their alma mater, Community High School (CHS) Okpo, in Igbo-Eze North LGA, to aid in the renovation of school facilities.
The announcement was made during the school’s N300 million Renovation Fundraising and Recognition Ceremony, which took place on Tuesday.
Speaking at the event, Igwe Ogadagidi, who also chairs the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, recalled how CHS Okpo played a formative role in his life.
“I am overjoyed to be at the Community High School, Okpo, my alma mater today. I was posted to this school as a 12-year-old boy in September 1978 and I was the number one student to be registered in this school both as a student and a boating student. I left the school in June 1983,” he said.
The monarch, a member of the school’s pioneer 1978 set, expressed that the quality education and strong moral upbringing he received at CHS Okpo greatly influenced the man and king he has become.
“CHS Okpo played a vital role in nurturing, preparing and shaping me for the future. They made me the man and king I am today. If Okpo had taught me to steal, I would have probably been a thief by now.”
“But rather the school instilled in me quality education, high moral values and ethical principles which have guided me to success and an enviable height in the society today without any blemish.”
“I have never knowingly committed any crime both home and abroad and that is because of the good training I got from CHS Okpo,” he said.
Acknowledging the efforts of Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, in revitalizing education, Igwe Asadu emphasized the need for individuals to contribute towards community development.
“I am fully aware of the huge intervention and investment our amiable Governor, His Excellency, Dr Peter Mbah is making to revive and reposition education and other sectors of the state economy, but we have to do the little we can to support the government and show appreciation to our alma mater for making us what we are today, as well as to ensure that the teaching and learning environments are conducive for the present and upcoming generations,” he noted.
He encouraged the people of Okpo to prioritize their community’s growth and pledged his continued support for developmental initiatives.
“Life is transient and as such the greatest legacy one can leave on earth is to help their next-door neighbors and their communities so as to make the world a better place for all,” he said.
Addressing students, he urged them to stay committed to their studies and maintain discipline.
“I enjoined the students of the school to be dedicated to their studies, obey their parents, principal and the school authorities, as well as the rules and regulations of the school.”
“I present myself to you as an example, I started and completed my secondary education here, anything is possible on this earth. From the village of Okpo, that 12-year-old young guy has travelled all over the world. You must remain focused, humble, respectful to their parents constituted authorities, by so doing you can achieve dreams at any time and the sky will be your limit,” he advised.
Reflecting on the physical state of the school, Igwe Ogadagidi lamented the deterioration of infrastructure since his time.
“It is like day and night. We always have room for improvement. I met only two buildings in 1978 as a pioneer student and the community rallied around and made other structures with the help of the government. Now they are all in bad shape. The roof I met in 1978 is still on there,” he observed.
He called on the school’s Alumni Association to ensure that funds raised are properly managed.
He said, “The Alumni Association should set up a committee that will see to judicious use of the money raised for the project,” warning that lack of transparency could discourage future contributions.
While Igwe Asadu donated N11 million, his wife, Her Majesty, Lolo Happiness Asadu, contributed N1 million towards the project.
In her remarks, Mrs. Scholastica Eze, Principal of CHS Okpo, lauded the efforts of the Okpo Community Development Association and the school’s alumni for their commitment to upgrading the school’s infrastructure.
“I commend the pragmatic and unprecedented initiative of the Okpo Community Development Association, and old boys of CHS in recognizing the need to uplift infrastructures in the School to a conducive environment for teaching and learning of our children.”
“I commend in a special way, His Majesty, Igwe Ogadagidi, who happened to be the first registered student of CHS Okpo at its inception in 1978,” she stated.
The principal further outlined the school’s additional needs and encouraged alumni and well-wishers to continue supporting the institution’s progress.
It was also reported that several individuals and groups from Okpo community made generous contributions during the event to support the school’s infrastructural revival.
