•Showers pupils with scholarship awards
Take a look at the classroom blocks above and you will quickly spot the difference. The one with dilapidated and torn zinc roof was built many years ago and school children studying inside it often move into to one corner when it rains because the roof leaks like showers in the bathroom.
Can you then picture the second building on blue aluminum zinc and brick walls?
Inside the brick classrooms are ceiling fans, designer chalk boards and modern school chairs with a standby generator.
That is the latest attraction at Central School Odida Nnewichi, Nnewi, Anambra State. It was built and donated to the government by a Lagos- based Information Technology (IT) expert, Mr. John Chuma Nwosu.
At the unveiling of the classroom block recently, Nwosu, a former pupil said he built the structure to set a standard for the children on the need to study in a befitting structure and environment.
Quoting the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Rev. Hillary Paul Odili Okeke, Nwosu said that when children study in a filthy environment, their behavior will also become filthy. He noted that it was the head mistress of the school, Lady Pauline Obi, that first drew his attention to the dilapidated structure in the school just as he didn’t hesitate to put up the structure for the benefit of the children.
He commended Governor Peter Obi for his efforts in the education sector and for handing schools back to the missions, which according to him, was regarded as an unpopular decision then, but is now yielding good fruits.
Governor Obi who commissioned the project was overwhelmed when he saw the quality structure fitted with modern facilities which Nwosu built for his alma mater. Though the governor travelled outside the state, his representative, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Uju Okeke, conveyed the governors’ goodwill message.
She said: “When the governor called me to go and represent him, he expressed regret that he couldn’t come physically. He said that this man, Mr. Nwosu, is the kind of person we need in Anambra. It gives us joy when people from the private sector who have not touched government money step forward and help in rebuilding our state.
Our governor loves children and has done much for education, that’s why he is happy for what Nwosu has done and wants more people to do likewise.
Any child that studies in this kind of school shall grasp abundant knowledge and we are happy when we see philanthropists doing us proud” Chairman on the occasion, Mr Uche Nzor, (Uche Live) and the Transition Council Chairman, Nnewi North Local Governmmet, Patrick Ubajiaka, showered encomiums on Nwosu, commending him for his humility and philanthropy without much hype.
The headmistress, Lady Obi, was overwhelmed with joy while expressing gratitude to Nwosu. She noted that apart from the classroom project, Nwosu has been supporting the school in other ways and she prayed thus for the donor: “The prayers and joy of the poor little village children will continue to protect and lead you in this world and into your heavenly mansion.
As they study in a modern brickhouse with fans to cool their brains, you will forever be remembered. “The unique outing wears you made for the school helped the pupils to obtain second position during the last year’s Children’s Day celebration.
We thank you for also donating these new sports wear, the pupils are wearing today. All these are step towards your dream for the school which you have adopted as a baby. Thank you” The pupils grouped in various houses during the event also showcased variety activities like parliamentary debate, news casting, march past, among others. Incidentally, Mr. Francis Nwosu House, named after John Nwosu’s father, emerged first in the competition.
After the activities, Nwosu also announced automatic scholarship to little Miss Chioma Okolocha, a primary six pupil for her outstanding performance in the brain taxing activities. Education Review gathered that Nwosu, through Ebube Foundation, a Non- Governmental Organization he founded, has also awarded scholarships to many students in both secondary and tertiary institutions in Anambra State.
The Very Rev. Fr. Cletus Chukwuemeka, Director, Educational Services, Catholic Diocese of Nnewi and the representative of Catholic Bishop of Nnewi at the occasion blessed the facility. While thanking Nwosu for his philanthropy and humanitarian services, he reechoed Obi’s call for more people from the private sector to lend their support to the government in rebranding education in the state.
The headmistress also solicited for more assistance to the school from individuals and corporate bodies. She noted that the UNICEF water project in the school has packed up while the overhead water tank fell from the stand few weeks back and broke into pieces, though nobody was hurt .
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