4-room classroom block, being Constituency Project by Rep Sam Onuigbo at Ekebedi Community School, Ikwuano

Perhaps Rep Sam Onuigbo would not have heard about derelict and decrepit 72 years old Ekebedi Community School, Ekebedi, Oboro in Ikwuano LGA and built for it a 4-room classroom block if not for a quirky twist of fate.

The lawmaker Monday, narrating his experience said:  “This project was conceptualized by me based on my personal experience when I came here, as well as the circumstances surrounding our campaign in this place, in 2015. We got here, started campaigning and it started to rain, and the community said we should come into the dilapidated hall over there to continue but while we were there, the rain drenched more than the it would have been  outside.

“So, on the basis of that, I personally, on my own and without solicitation resolved that if elected, I would like to come and build a block of classrooms here. That’s why, being able to achieve this after a very long time, leaves me with a unique sense of  satisfaction and accomplishment.

The old, dilapidated block of classrooms at the school

 

Several years down the line Onuigbo, representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/South Federal Constituency was in the community to commission a 4-room classroom block all fully furnished with desks and chairs. But he came with mixed emotions.

Rep Onuigbo, popularly hailed 'Odozi Obodo' by his admirers told the people that what he proposed and what was captured in the budget was a 6-room classroom block. But to his dismay and shock, the contractor came to build a 2-room classroom. When the information reached him, he literarily turned the world upside down to get the exact project executed, but only succeeded in getting both the agency responsible for execution of the project and the contractor to build the 4-room block.

A community leader, Chief Uzu Ananaba who summed up the elation of the community said the classroom block is the only project the community has gotten from any government - local, state or federal - since the return of democracy in 1999.

In her remarks, the Headmistress of the school, Mrs Odinakachi Nwagboso while applauding the lawmaker for providing the school with the classrooms, like the fabled Oliver Twist asked for more like fencing of the school, toilet facilities for teachers and pupil, repairs to the dilapidated headmistress's office and several others.

The event attracted a galaxy of Ikwuano personalities including the Deputy Chairman, Ikwuano LGA,  Mr Cookey Lordson Nwachukwu who represented the Executive Chairman. 

In his remarks, Nwachukwu  who apologized for the absence of the Executive Chairman, Steve Mpamugo, commended the lawmaker for his efforts, saying, "All hands must be on deck" so that as Odozi Obodo is working, we too will be working and the House of Assembly also will be working. It’s all for the betterment of Ikwuano. It shouldn’t always be about party and it’s high time we started working together for the growth and development of Ikwuano”  he affirmed

Former governor of Kogi State, Col Paul Omeruo (retired) was also present. According to him, "I am here to see what Hon Onuigbo has done and to encourage him to do more. Let all Ikwuano sons and daughters  join hands to build similar facilities for the betterment of our children" 

Others present include Chief Henry Ikoh, former Commissioner for Industries; Ikwuano APC chairman, Mr Ogbonna Mbakwe and his Umuahia North LGA counterpart, Israel Nwachukwu; Prince Henry Eleogu; Mr Chinedu Kalu and a host of others