…appeals to the Mgbala Community to secure facility.
In an unprecedented development, Mr. Faith Mbah, a native of Okwuoha in Mgbala Agwa Autonomous Community, Oguta LGA, Imo State, was on Sunday, December,28, 2024, officially handed over an ultra-modern six-primary-school-block building he rebuilt and equipped for the community to the Imo State Ministry of Education for effective use.
Other facilities he donated include three administrative offices, three toilets, and running water.Mr. Mbah also donated 120 school uniforms, sandals, stocks, and textbooks to the pupils and other educational introductory materials.
The event was organised under the Education Committee of Agwa Central Union (ACU), headed by Prof. Amanze Unagha of the Library and Information Science, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria, who also doubles as the Vice President-General of Agwa Central Union.
Earlier In his welcome address, the Head Teacher of Mgbala Agwa Primary School, Prof. Chiemela Nwosu, PhD, thanked the Almighty God for making the day a reality, even as Prof. Nwosu recounts the challenges he met when he first resumed work as the Head Teacher of the school, ranging from poor enrolment, boundaries- encroachment by villagers, and the ravaging Agwa crisis, which affected the lots of the school,while noting that today, with the modern structures and facilities built and donated by Mr. Faith Mbah, Mgbala Primary School has over 91 pupils enrolled as against 18 he inherited in the entire classes.
He,however, appreciated Mbah for such investment gestures, while pointing out that education remains the sure way of lifting the poor.
The chairman of the ACU Education Committee, Prof. Amanze Unagha, used the opportunity to brief the people on the efforts of the committee in ensuring that schools in Agwa are well managed and run effectively
According to Unagha,the committee under the directives of the President-General of ACU, Barr. Benson Akunya, carried out remedial works at Agwa Secondary School, equipping the laboratory room,as well as ensuring that the students wrote their external exams during the crisis period. Unagha did not fail to shower praises on the donor of the school, Mr. Faith Mbah.”I want to believe that what Mr. Faith Mbah has done is uncommon in the history of Oguta LGA.He has not only challenged us to do good to our people, but he has shown that he is a friend of humanity. He did this unassuming, and has indeed proved that education is the mother of civilization,and prayed God to bless him.
A Director of Works in the Imo State Universal Basic Education Board (IMSU BEB), who represented the Ministry of Education, was very elated in his speech,as he profoundly thanked the donor, the ACU Education Committee for organising the event, and the Mgbala Community for their acceptance of the donation,noting also that this kind donation is coming at a time the people need it most.”A post-crisis period is a time that requires all good men and women to do acts that promote humanity by using their resources to show empathy, rebuild structures, and give hope to the poor all over the world”.
Investment in education has been celebrated, and today, we are here to celebrate another multi-million investment by an individual. This is worthy of emulation”.He concluded by advising the community to protect the structure and ensure that it is used for the purpose it was built.
Mr Nduka Uzor, one of the facilitators of the school handover and commissioning ceremony, represented the President-General of Agwa Central Union, Barr. Benson Akunya, who lavished encomium on Mbah as a philanthropy per excellence who loved humanity and his people.
Mr. Uzor noted that Mbah has always identified with the community of goodwill in and outside Agwa with his time and resources.”Mbah has always been there for Agwa people. He loved the clan very well that he would always love to come home to relax with his family anytime he visited Nigeria”. “As one of the executives of ACU and a representative of the PG, we communicate our “Thank you message” today to you and your family for standing by ACU in developing terms and donating this school for the advancement of education in the clan,” he said.
The Education Secretary of Oguta LGA Education Authority, Mrs. Ebirikwem Augustina, in her speech, thanked the donor, Mbah, for coming to the rescue of the school,while recounting how bad the structure of the school was, lack of all the necessary things that support learning, and advised that the staff of the school, in collaboration with the PTA executive and the leadership of the Mgbala community, should ensure that this structure is strictly used for academics only and not to be converted into churches and prayer houses.
Others who spoke at the event include;Mr. Chidi Nwokeocha (Ezembi), the President-General of Mgbala Agwa Autonomous Community, Hon. Udochukwu Ogbonnaya (Barry), the councillor representing Mgbala/Ubah Ward, who equally represented the Executive Chairman of Oguta LGA, Hon. Ifeanyi Nnani, at the event as they all conveyed their hearty thanks to Mr. Mbah.
Responding to the speeches, Mbah thanked everyone for coming despite the busy schedules of the festive period. He acknowledged the effort of Agwa Central Union in ensuring that Agwa is back to a safer state, the Mgbala Community, the Ministry of Education, and the ACU Education Committee.He profoundly appreciated the wife and his son for playing different roles while the project lasted, the staff and pupils of Mgbala Primary School. He noted with great nostalgia his old memories of Agwa when his late father used to bring them home from Delta State for Christmas holidays as well as being part of the December cross-country exercises, football competition, and other games.
For him and his family, Agwa is a home like no other. It is a place he finds rest and would ever be willing to do his little bit to develop it, which education remains the greatest antidote to illiteracy, ignorance, and poverty. “When I started to build my house, I looked at how children were running around during school sessions and I asked some existential questions about the lives of kids and their education here, and not being satisfied with the answers I got, we started this project in order to provide a conducive environment for learning.”You know what?, Education is the real deal for a safer and more prosperous future for every child.
“I believe that the little we have done would help to advance the course of education in the community.” And if we are able to maintain the tempo by protecting these facilities, it would spur me and my family to look at other areas of common interest to develop; by so doing, it will engender the spirit of healthy competition from Agwa people and other human developers to see Agwa as a development hub, not insecurity and other bad social vices,” Mbah concluded.
The event climaxed with the cutting of the sealed ribbon done by a representative of the Imo State Ministry of Education in the company of Mbah and his family, Mgbala Community representatives, ACU representatives, Oguta LGA Education Authority representatives, staff of Mgbala Primary School, and ACU Education Committee members, as well as a facility tour.
Some of the important dignitaries who graced the occasion include; High Chief Massacre Ajokube, Traditional Prime Minister (TPM) of Mgbala Agwa Autonomous Community, Hon. Barr. Gerald Mgborokwu, former Executive Chairman of Oguta LGA, Hon. Emmanuel Onwuzugha, former Transition Committee Chairman, Oguta LGA, Mr. Sammy Black, Dr. Kevin Ihetu, Mr. Joshua Asagwara, Secretary, ACU, Lagos Branch, Mr. Umunna Onwubu, PTA Chairman, Mgbala Primary School, Dr. (Mrs.) Doraty Utazi, Secretary, ACU Education Committee, and Women Leader, Comr. Johnbosco Chimokwo Obodo, Secretary, ACU and member, Education Committee, Comr. Joshua Anumudu, Member, Education Committee, Comr. John Mbonu Uchenwoke-Ekperechi, member, Education Committee, Comr. Wisdom Ugwuegbu, member, Education Committee, among others.
Mbah also used occasion in appealing to the people of Agwa nation to shun violence and embrace lasting peace for the overall development of the area.
