By steve anyebe.
Thursday, 25th April 2024 started with an uncomfortably bright sunshine in the dusty red town of Otukpo in North Central Nigeria. By 8am the sun was already sharply up and piercing as many St. Francis College Old Students Association (SAFOBA) members, Parents/Teachers Association Members, and well-wishers prepared to go to the College premises to witness the commissioning ceremony and handing over of the numerous legacy projects executed by Godwin Obla Foundation.
At a few minutes after 10am, when yours sincerely drove through the main gate of St. Francis College, the atmosphere inside the walled institution was clearly indicative of an inpending celebration. The whole compound looked trim and well organised. The football field on the left was fresh in its greenish splendour. Even the flags, three in number, signifying Nigeria in the middle flanked by the Vatican and the College, danced leisurely high up in the sky, beautifully caressed by the gentle invisible wind against the background of some patches of darkened clouds. Across the field lay a row of buildings, obviously dormitories, resplendent in their freshness of new paintings. The canopies at the end of the field were further attestation of the coming event as people poured into the arena. A Mass was already in progress.
The event proper, COMMISSIONING OF PROJECTS BY GODWIN OBLA FOUNDATION, like all such events commenced with the Nigerian national anthem, which was followed immediately by the St. Francis College anthem.
In his address to welcome dignitaries, the Principal, Rev Fr Austin Ochai, traced the history of the school from its establishment in 1944, acknowledging the roles of Missionaries, past Principals, the Alumni, Parents/Teachers Association and others. He paid special tribute to old students who had demonstrated magnanimity through their projects, pointing at Chief Godwin Odumu Obla, SAN, as standing tall in that regard through the activities of the Godwin Obla Foundation. Referring to the heroic deeds of the Foundation, the Principal enumerated the projects billed for commissioning to include the renovation and equipping of the Chemistry laboratory(in honour of Mr Regis Kanagasuntheri, a former Principal), Biology laboratory (in honour of Mrs Beatrice Navamal Regis), and the Physics laboratory in honour of Anthony Victor Louis). Other projects are the provision of a set of brand new Marching Bands; scholarships to indigent students; refurbishing of students’ bathrooms and dormitories; provision of solar street lights and inverter; as well as the Starlinks Internet connectivity to enhance learning and research. In appreciating all these legacy projects, Fr Austin Ochai also acknowledged the intervention of Godwin Obla Foundation at Wesley High School Otukpo where a new hostel was built and fully equipped in honour of Emmanuel Obla, as well as the donation of a state of the art kidney Centre to the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital.
Falling back on the philosophy of Oliver Twist, who would always ask for more, Fr Austin Ochai also used the occasion to roll out some challenges being faced by the college: the problem of inadequate staff in some areas; insufficient classrooms; scholarship for indigent pupils of the nursery/primary section; landscaping/beautification of the compound; more reservoirs to ensure adequate water; renovation of staff quarters, refurbishment of Cultural and Creative Arts Studio, and Agricultural Laboratory, among others.
In his speech, Chief Godwin Obla recognised the vital role St. Francis College Otukpo has played in what he has become today, having gone through the school between 1973 and 1978. He reiterated the fact that it was at St. Francis that he discovered his passions, honed his skills and generally got prepared for life’s journey, despite the relatively poor infrastructure at the time. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, in recognition of the numerous challenges presently facing the College, opined that it should be the collective responsibility of all old students to ensure that it continues to thrive in upholding its tradition of academic excellence and high moral standards. This, he pointed out, would only be possible through donations aimed at funding scholarships, enhancing educational programmes, improving infrastructure, supporting extracurricular activities and capacity building, all to empower students striving towards reaching their full potentials.
“Giving back to my alma mater is more than just a philanthropic gesture. It’s a testament to my gratitude and appreciation for the opportunities bestowed upon me. It’s a way of ensuring that future generations can benefit from the same transformative experience that shaped my life”, he enthused.
Chief Obla specially remembered late Mr Regis and Sir Bernard Omaiye for their roles in shaping his life.
The dignitaries subsequently moved to witness the commissioning of the legacy Projects which consisted: renovated students hostels equipped with new beds, mattresses, pillows, branded blankets, bedsheets and pillowcases, spares inclusive; renovated bathroom with new urinaries; renovated and fully equipped Chemistry, Physics and Biology laboratories; Starlinks Internet infrastructure with fully paid two years subscription; solar lights in all classrooms and public walkways, supported with 10 KVA inverter; replacement of the old Marching Band instruments with a complete new set; and cleaning materials including Liquid Soaps, Liquid Antiseptic and disinfectant materials, Mops,etc, to enable staff and students maintain a high level of sanitation in the Classrooms, Dormitories, Refectories, Bathrooms and the entire school environment.
The Chairman of Godwin Obla Foundation, while pledging continued intervention in the College, however stressed that it would be dependent upon the College administration doing its own part by guarding the Projects against misuse and decay, citing the repainting of an area which had been defaced by cows and humans, just before the commissioning, as “very frustrating”.
While the Deputy Governor cut the tape to declare the dormitories open, the bathroom was commissioned by the National President of SAFOBA, and the Otukpo branch Chairman cut the tape at the Biology laboratory. Bishop of Otukpo Diocese of the Catholic Church, His Eminence Michael Apochi, commissioned the Physics laboratory. The Vicar General Administration, Very Rev Capt Kenneth Ode, stood in for the Bishop.
The Deputy Governor of Benue State, His Excellency Barr Sam Ode, who was represented by the Commissioner of Education in the State, Rev Dr. Frederick Ikyaan, while appreciating the Projects, said it was not enough to just clap for Chief Godwin Obla without emulating him. Using the touching story of a small kid who kept looking at the face of his benefactor so as to recognise him in heaven, the Deputy Governor pointed out that what we consider to be small could be life saving for others, stressing the need for everyone to be as humanity conscious as the Godwin Obla Foundation has demonstrated. He also used the opportunity to brief the audience on the plans by Governor Hyacinth Alia to engage in massive infrastructural development in the education sector to arrest the decay there.
The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo(FUHSO), represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics, Prof Steve Abah, was full of praises for the Godwin Obla Foundation, recalling the Projects so far executed at FUHSO which includes Forty Million Naira students endowments; the Judith Ogwa Obla Memorial Kidney Centre; and recently the Starlinks Internet connectivity.
In his own remarks, the National President of St.Francis Old Boys Association (SAFOBA), Ambassador Ogbole Amedu Ode, who was represented by the Otukpo branch Chairman of SAFOBA, Chief Eddy Anyebe, informed the audience that the Projects being commissioned were very dear to the Old Boys, describing Godwin Obla as about the smallest then in his class but full of energy, which he has eventually deployed for the good of the College and humanity in general. While acknowledging the efforts of other Old Boys, Ambassador Ode said the commissioning of the Godwin Obla Foundation’s legacy Projects marked the real commencement of the 88 year anniversary celebration of St.Francis.
Hon Phillip Achegbulu, representing the 1978 set of the College, praised their mate, Chief Godwin Obla, for cultivating the large heart and spirit of giving back to the society.
The special highlights of the occasion were the presentations by the St. Francis management to Chief Godwin Obla, Elder Michael Ubah Obande (Director General of Godwin Obla Foundation) and the Benue State Deputy Governor.
At the end of the day various groups of people who attended the memorable commissioning went home with different feelings. Those who came to appreciate the noble works of a Foundation in its quest to uplift the living standards of people through its activities, went home further awed by the momentous sight they beheld. Others who had heard so much about this Philanthropist and hoped to see and know him physically, went home disappointed, even if happy with what they saw. Yet, there were some who went to St.Francis College Otukpo, on Thursday 25th April 2024, with very germane problems with the hope of tendering them at the feet of the ever willing problem solver. Unfortunately it was not their day and so they went home with hopes dashed.
However, to whichever direction one went after the event, it was all prayers for God Almighty to continue to bless Godwin Obla Foundation more and more.
