The Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle MON (Shattiman Sakkwato) on Wednesday, March 24, 2021, commissioned the newly constructed Igumbor-Otiku Secondary School, Agbor in Ika South Local Government Area.
The sight to behold Igumbor-Otiku Secondary School, Agbor is among the newly modern schools constructed by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s led government.
In his welcome address, the Executive Chairman, Ika South Council, Hon. Sunny Tatabuzugwu lamented the initial deplorable state of Igumbor-Otiku Secondary School and on behalf of the good people of Ika South LGA expressed appreciation to Governor Okowa for the completion and the commissioning of the school building.
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According to him, “Okowa has done very well in education across the state, because education well all known remains the key to national development for a nation with good educational standard to develop rapidly.
“Sincerely speaking, we will continue to thank the governor for the various road constructions in Agbor and his overall infrastructural developmental strides in the area, which according to him speaks volumes and good of his government.
“I therefore encourage and appeal to students and staff of Igumbor-Otiku Secondary School to make good use of the school’s facilities to avoid damage”.
While calling on the host community of Igumbor-Otiku Secondary School to protect the school from vandalization, he thanked the governors and other personalities present for coming.
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Presenting Agbor Community address, the President-General, Mr. Lawrence Egun Onyeche welcomed Governor Matawalle, his counterpart, the Sokoto State Governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, CFR and other top government officials to Agbor Kingdom.
Mr. Onyeche on behalf of the good people of Agbor specially thanked Governor Okowa for his magnanimity in establishing Igumbor-Otiku Secondary School, Agbor.
According to him, “The establishment of the school came up at a challenging time when it was becoming difficult for Agbor people to access public Secondary Schools as a result of the handing over of some schools back to their missionary owners. No doubt, this action of the then government created a huge gap that has now been filled by the proactive measures of our amiable Governor Okowa (Ekwueme, the talk and do governor).
“It is worthy of note that this effort has brought Secondary education closer to the door step of our children who cannot afford the exorbitant fees of private schools and who as well were trekking long distance to attend the few available public schools.
“We will forever remain thankful to Okowa because by the commissioning of Igumbor-Otiku, he has continued to put smiles on our faces. But, just like Oliver the Twist, I want passionate to appeal to the governor to help facilitate the approved upgrade of state of facilities of Alihamen Secondary School, Alihamie.
“This kind of gesture of the governor has greatly increased the access to Post Primary Education in Agbor metropolis having three secondary schools at strategic locations along the Old Lagos/Asaba Road, Agbor.
“In the same vein, I want to appreciate Okowa for his efforts towards improving road networks in Ika nation, entire Delta State and most especially in Agbor Kingdom with ongoing road construction works. I say thank you, Ekwueme. I appeal to you sir to remember Mariere Street, Uromi Junction axis, particularly Obi Road, UBE Road and others.
“I appreciate immensely Okowa for the infrastructural development witnessed currently at the Central Hospital Agbor, especially, the on-going renovation and construction of a modern mortuary, Resident Doctor’s block and a new Out Patient Block (OPD)”.
Continuing, the PG pleaded that more teachers both at the Primary and Secondary Schools, medical personnel (Specialists such as Surgeons, Gynecologists, Pediatricians and Nephrologists should be posted to the LG for more productivity and to put in the abandoned Seventy (70) Million Naira Dialysis Centre donated to the Central Hospital by Rotary International, through the Rotary Club of Agbor.
Mr. Onyeche further remarked that Agbor people are happy with Okowa for using his good office to ensure the upgrading of the College of Education Agbor to a conventional university named University of Delta, Agbor, saying that this will provide a golden opportunity for our children who are denied admission and frustrated in seeking admission into other universities.
On his part, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chief Patrick Ukah disclosed that the construction of Igumbor-Otiku Secondary School, Agbor was approved in 2016, while work commenced in 2018 under the then Barr. Chinedu Ebie, his predecessor.
Chief Ukah confirmed that the commissioned Igumbor-Otiku Secondary School, Agbor which is being commissioned has been built according to specification and comprising the following facilities such as two numbers building of twelve classrooms each with toilets, examination hall, administrative block, Chemistry, Physic and ICT Laboratories, landscaping/drainage system to control erosion, perimeter fence and gate house, water facility and so on.
While thanking the governor for tremendous initiatives towards the growth and development of Education in the State, the Commissioner remarked that Igumbor-Otiku population numbering of 1700 has help to decongest the over population of its neigbouring Ogbemudien Secondary School, Agbor and thereby easing the enrolment pressure.
Responding, Governor Okowa expressed his joy, thanking specially the Governor of Zamfara and Sokoto States respectively for their love and friendship that made them to honour his invitation.
According to him, “I thank God for the successful completion of Igumbor-Otiku. I have only two more years in office as governor, but hopefully we will do more that is needed to be done for the people and whatsoever left undone will be accomplished by my successors.
“Most importantly, the upgrading of facilities at Alihamen Secondary School, Alihamie will be executed”, Okowa promised.
He revealed that Igumbor-Otiku Secondary School will be commissioned alongside newly constructed network of roads in Okpanam and the new Delta State Traditional Rulers Secretariat, Asaba. The governor assured that he will continue to do what is required for the people.
Governor Okowa concluded by stating that his joy knews no bound seeing joyful and excited faces the school children faces which according to him depict that they are happy and proud to be students of Igumbor-Otiku Secondary School, Agbor.
Speaking with newsmen, the school Principal, Mrs. Grace N. Egbon said, “My students, staff and I are overwhelmed with joy on this day of our school commissioning. To me, I see myself as a blessed principal to be the first to head the school now that it has been commissioned.
“Indeed, the Government of Delta State under the administration of our own Governor Okowa has spent so much money on the construction of the school and provision of facilities to enhance teaching and learning.
“We are most grateful to Okowa for providing a modern school, his fellow governors of Zamfara and Sokoto states and a host of other dignitaries for coming”.
The School Principal stated that teaching in a school like Igumbor-Otiku Secondary with the state of facilities of a modern school makes learning and teaching process better done. She assured the governor that with the infrastructural standard of the school, they can compete favorably with any school anywhere.
Mrs. Egbon further remarked that teaching and learning have improved since she assumed office as the Principal of the school on January 14, 2020, saying that the school population is such that the sudden outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has now conditioned them to having morning and afternoon classes as part of its precautionary measures to curtail the spread.
She said she has continued to encourage her students never to see education as a scam and rather take their studies more seriously for their betterment in their tomorrow as future leaders.
The former Chairman, Ika South LG, Hon. (Barr.) Victor Okoh beaming with smiles said the Ika South people will not stop appreciating Okowa for his good deeds, which he said was the reason they are gathered. He gave kudos to the governor, stating that Igumbor-Otiku Secondary School will enhance the standard and quality of education in the area.
The Councilor of the school host Ward, Hon. Donald Okonta said a look at Igumbor Otiku Secondary School building is an explanation that Governor Okowa’s name is synonymous to good and excellent things.
While expressing joy and gratitude to the governor, he stated that with the ongoing Okowa transformation, his ward would soon to be renamed Agbor London.