Former students of Community Secondary School, Umabor, Eha-Alumonah, in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State have made a passionate appeal to Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State over the decaying structures in the institution.
The appeal comes on the heel of discoveries by the 98 Set of the Alumni Association that the standout building within the school premises was in total disrepair, with the roof completely off.
The one-storey building, which hitherto housed senior classes, used to be a legacy structure in the School.
Recalling with nostalgia how students always looked forward to moving to the building as senior students, members of the the Alumni lamented that their joy of visiting the school once again was affected by the condition of the structure.
It was, however, gathered that the structure has been in such a poor condition for several years, abandoned by past administrations.
Leader of the delegation, Pharm Stephen Ugwuoke, who led the 1998 Alumni members on the visit, decried the condition of the senior class building.
Ugwuoke, who was the Senior Prefect at the time, pleaded with Governor Peter Mbah’s administration not to abandon the structure.
He said, “it is a moment of joy that after several years, some of us are here for the very first time.
“Today is our annual gathering, but we thought it wise that this place should be our take-off point. We trace our success in life to this school, because our major foundation started from here.
“It has provided us with the opportunity to take a tour of the facilities in the school, and one of the sad observations is that the legacy senior class building is in total disrepair and abandoned.
“We are pained by this and this is why we are begging the Enugu State Government to please renovate that structure. It should not be allowed to remain that way; it is a standout out building in this school,” Ugwuoke pleaded.
He, however, acknowledged the existence of some new structures in the school.
“We thank the government for some of the new structures we saw. But more still needed to be done, especially that senior class block and the senior exam hall. These two projects deserve urgent attention,” he added.
Ugwuoke, who also recalled that as students, the 98 Set purchased the first brass band of the school, repainted and electrified the then senior class building, pledged that the Alumni Association would be rallied to see means of assisting the school.
In a remark, the Principal of the School, Mr Martin Ugwuoke described the visit of the Association as historical.
He said it was the first time he was receiving Alumni members in the school despite efforts he had made in the past.
Ugwuoke urged them to rally other members of the Alumni Association towards paying full attention and extending support to the school.
Meanwhile, the Association later paid a surprise visit to a former Principal of the School, Chief Benjamin Agboma, in his residence.
The retired principal, who could not hide his joy, described the visit as one of his best moments in life.
He said: “I’m so glad that all of you have grown and have become great men and women.
“My heart is also full of joy that you remembered me. Today is one of my happiest days.”
Our correspondent reports that the climax of the day’s activities was the inauguration of the interim leadership of the Association.
The inaugurated exco members include: Comrade Emmanuel Uzo Ugwueze – President; Officer Jude Ndubuisi Edeh- Deputy President, Chief Cosmas Uchenna Ossai – Secretary; Chief Charles Ibeamaka Odo – Treasurer; Mrs Amaka Ugwuanyi – Director of Socials; Chief Andrew Eze – Publicity Secretary, while Pharm. Stephen Ugwuoke is the Chairman, Board of Trustees, (BoT).
In his acceptance speech on behalf of the executive, Ugwueze expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in them.
He said that by leveraging the goodwill of members and their support, the Association will gain an enviable height.
