Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Dr. Micheal Tidi on Wednesday commissioned a 180 meter parameter fence and water project in Aileru Primary School in Warri South Council Area.
The parameter fence and water project was built by a Non Governmental Organization, Value Rebirth and Empowerment Initiative in conjunction with Partnerschaft-Africa e.V and Partners.
Dr Tidi, who was represented by Mr Patrick Oghonemu, Supervisor for Education, Warri South Council, during the commissioning and handover ceremony, commended the Value Rebirth Initiative and their partners for the wonderful project, calling on other well meaning Deltans to emulate the gesture.
He said the initiative was a laudable one because government alone cannot do everything for the people.
“We want to commend Value Rebirth Initiative and Partnerschaft-Africa for this laudable project. We want more of these kind of projects in our community because we all know that government alone cannot do everything for us. We need to identify with projects that we can do for our. It’s not every time you wait for government to do things for you.,” Tidi said.
The Permanent Permanent Secretary Ministry Of Basic And Secondary Education, Sir Austin Oghor, commended Dr. Henry Ovri and Dr. (Mrs) Rachel Atomatofa as partners and both of whom are Alumni of Alleru Primary School.
Oghor, who was represented by Mrs Henrietta Obiegha, Chief Inspection of Education, Ministry of Education Warri South. also lauded Hon. (Dr.) Michael Tidi, Executive Chairman, Warri South Local Government Area and the Chairman, Partnerschaft-Afrika e.V. for supporting and birthing the initiative which to a large extent will promote effective learning in the school.
“It is therefore worthy to note that the state government under the leadership of His Excellency, Rt Hon. Sherrif O. Oborevwore is appreciative of all forms of intervention in the education sector by well-meaning philanthropist and private sector led institutions, and he is willing to engage more stakeholders to achieve sustainable development in the sector,” he said.
He called on the school’s administration, pupils and the host communities on the need to protect schools infrastructural and facilities in their area.
Pastor Edewor Egedegbe, the Executive Director of Value Rebirth and Empowerment Initiative, in his remarks, urged the government of Delta State, Alumni of the school, donor agencies and public spirited individuals to build on the solid foundation being initiated by the organization to guarantee its sustainability, and restore the glory of Aileru primary school as it clocks 60 this year.
He lamented that the previous government despite several calls made to it at different fora, did not leave up to addressing the challenges besetting the school.
“Without mincing words, Aileru primary school has suffered unimaginable and long periods of neglect occasioned by non response of the government to its infrastructure challenges. More worrisome is the fact that the school premises is used by hoodlums for various nefarious activities unchecked by relevant authorities. This trend has to be looked into urgently by government and community leaders, providing adequate security for the school going forward,” Egedegbe said.
While calling on the state government to establish Aileru Secondary School in the next academic session to maximize the unused dilapidated infrastructure in the now enclosed premises, Egedegbe appealed for urgent and decisive action to address the infrastructure challenges in the school so as to providing a conducive learning environment for the pupils.
He said the project commissioning was made possible “through the funding from our Partners, Partnerschaft-Afrika. Dr. Henry Ovri, and Dr. (Mrs.) Rachel Atomatofa (both Alumni of the school), driven by Pastor Edewor Egedegbe, Executive Director of Value Rebirth & Empowerment Initiative (NGO) with technical inputs from Dr. Andrew Agboro, Executive Director. One Love Community Development/Chairman Conflict Prevent Council, Delta State.”
“Please, permit me to expatiate that this project consists of 180m. Perimeter Fence and Water distribution network designed to provide access to good drinking water, education and security for the underprivileged children, and also to restore good hygiene practice for school teachers and pupils. It is cherry news that teachers have been sensitized during our last two meetings, which addressed the need for Modern techniques and approaches to address Child’s E-learning, Child’s Ethics, Behavioral Change and Value Systems,” Egedegbe explained further.
On her part Mrs Onyi Ikemefuna, Administrative Director of Shamar Educational Foundation, during a brief presentation, appealed to government, teachers, parents and public spirited individuals to ensure that there is adequate provision and maintenance of basic infrastructures in all public schools in the country.
She said; “On the other hand, a conducive learning environment is a setting which allows for a free exchange of ideas, thoughts and skills among the teachers and learners, to achieve the expected educational goals by considering the physical, psychological, social and cultural needs of all the learners.
“Some of these needs includes; a good security system, adequate supply of electricity, good water supply, healthy toilet facilities, well-ventilated and organized classrooms and staff rooms, provision of teaching aids, sanitized learners’ playground and so on.”
Earlier, Mrs. Okwueze Elizabeth, Headteacher of Ailero Primary School, while thanking the NGO for the project also appreciated the Ministry of Basic and Primary Education, the Warri South Local Government Council Chairman for giving approval to the NGO to do this great work for Aileru Primary School.
She however, appealed to the Ministry, the Council Chairman, member representing Warri South Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Alumni, NGOs and other well meaning citizens to help upgrade the remaining facilities calling for urgent attention, and transfer more teachers to the school.
“We trust God for more pupils by next academic session with this face of Aileru Primary School, if possible build Teachers Quarters thereby maximizing the unused part of the premises.
“Please permit me to take your mind a little through memory lane. I resume work here officially on the 25th of April, 2023, when I went through the school compound and classrooms, I was heartbroken when I saw the school in the condition it was. I discovered that the front of the school was not fenced, no water, dilapidated classroom blocks, bushy environment, overgrown grasses and vandalized classrooms,” she said.
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