In a moment of joy and gratitude, the community of Ogugu Ntu-egbenese Ancient Kingdom, located in Awgu area of Enugu State, celebrated on August 10, 2024, the reopening of its newly rebuilt, renovated and equipped Central School. The event was marked by the presence of the State Commissioner for Education, Professor Ndubueze Mbah, who was in charge of the inauguration.
The school, built over nine decades ago, was the only government primary school attended by almost all the villages in the community, except Ibite. It also served as a place of worship for the Catholic Church and had been crying out for special attention for a long time before the intervention of Gidim Ejike Okonkwo and his wife, Mrs. Chika Okonkwo (nee Chukwurah).
The event brought together political, traditional and social leaders, making the inauguration a must-attend event for the region, heralding promising prospects for the future.
In a statement to the media after the school reopening, the Commissioner for Education, Professor Ndubueze Mbah, commended the family of Ejike Okonkwo for their remarkable generosity towards their community. He stressed the importance of partnerships between government and individuals, highlighting the key role of collaboration in educational development.
On his part, the Commissioner for Local Affairs, Rural Development and Customary Affairs, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, lauded Okonkwo and his family for their commitment to the development of their community. He noted that this was a way of creating a lasting legacy by investing in future generations.
An emotional Mrs. Chika Okonkwo expressed her deep gratitude for the opportunity to actively contribute to such an impactful project for her community. She underscored her deep desire to give back to the society and stressed the importance of collective efforts in development.
The traditional ruler of the area, Chief Aloysius Chidozie Ogbonna Jnr, commended the Okonkwo family’s development vision, noting that the event marked the beginning of a new era for the community. He urged the people to continue in this vein, stressing that unity and cooperation were the keys to a prosperous future for Ogugu Ntu-egbenese Ancient Kingdom.
The Okonkwo family’s initiative, backed by their commitment to their community, is an inspiring example of generosity and social responsibility. Such actions remind all affluent members of the society of the importance of giving back to their communities, in order to ensure a better and more prosperous future for generations to come.