Students of Alor Science and Technical College have said that the students and people of Anambra would never forget the Vice-Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Peter Obi, citing his achievements as the state governor.
The students who spoke through their representative, Master Alaoma Somtochukwu during the pastoral visit of Archbishop Valerian Okeke to the school yesterday recalled especially the revolution Obi led in the education sector.
In his sermon, Archbishop Okeke thanked the management team of the school for upholding standards that Catholic schools are known for.
Archbishop Okeke particularly advised students to live the lives of discipline without prompting.
He also advised them not just to dream dreams, but to be pragmatic by trying at all times to reduce their dreams to achievable goals through what he called five principles of “planning, projection, practice, perseverance and prayers.
Speaking on behalf of the management, Mr Samuel Otubah said the school was grateful to Dr Chris Ngige who, according to them, converted the school into a Science and Technical School in 2004.
However, he said the fortunes of the educational system in the state changed with Mr Peter Obi. “When the then-governor Chief Peter Obi recovered his mandate, he was ready to reposition our educational sector with his mantra ‘ANIDS’. As a philosopher, he started asking questions about whether we were a curse or the cause. It didn’t take long for us to realize that we have abused our society, which he did not allow to take its toll on us.”
On the return of schools to the Church, he said it was the most landmark decision of Obi in 2010. In his words: “Okwute Ndigbo made a landmark decision the previous governments lacked the will to take. He waded into the problems facing schools in the area of provision, renovation, and reconstruction of mindset and motivation of teachers.”
Besides the N35 million Peter Obi gave to the school for infrastructural improvement, Mr Samuel said it was through him that the school constructed a gigantic building housing eight classrooms, the sickbay, the school canteen and the library. He recalled that through Obi, their chapel was renovated, they got science and sporting equipment, 32 laptops, two 18-seater buses they are still using as well as a generator, among others.
Mr Peter Obi, who was represented by his Media Adviser, Mr Valentine Obienyem said Obi remained grateful to the Church for assisting in doing so well those things which the government had done badly such as education and health care delivery. Pointing out that as the reason Obi collaborated with the Church, he called for continued collaboration since the people of the state are the ultimate beneficiaries.
The Manager of the school, Rev. Fr. Dr Francis Unegbu thanked all present, especially the archbishop, who is also the proprietor of the school. He assured that the school would remain faithful to its commitment to delivering sound education backed with ennobling morals.
The highpoint of the pastoral visit was the administration of the sacrament of confirmation on some students and the inauguration by the archbishop of some completed projects – computer lab, tarred roads, a statue of St. John donated by the old boys.
More than 30 priests and other dignitaries attended the event.
