US-Based Ubulu-Uku Citizen Donates Chairs, Cash To Boost Learning At St. Anthony’s Model College

By Braxton Ilobah

A United States of America-based indigene of Ubulu-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, Mr. Charles Oshanugor has brought joy to students of St. Anthony’s Model College, Ubulu-Uku by donating 80 three-seater chairs with desks during the school’s 59th Annual Inter-house Sports activities on Thursday.

In addition, Oshanugor who was physically represented at the occasion by an associate, made a cash donation of N100,000 towards this year’s Inter-house Sports with a promise to donate N50,000 yearly for six consecutive Inter-house activities of the College.

While officially commissioning the chairs, the President-General of Ubulu-Uku Development Council (UDC) Sir Peter Udene Ugbaja remarked that what Oshanugor did for the College was quite outstanding at a time the economic hardship ravaging Nigeria has made it difficult for even parents to provide for the academic needs of their children.

He commended the donor and used the opportunity to appeal to other Ubulu-Uku indigenes at home and in the Diaspora to emulate Oshanugor by assisting to uplift the college which according to him had produced many great men in the society.

Principal of the College, Mr. Igabari Mae Onyeoka while receiving the chairs recalled how he had come in contact with Mr. Charles Oshanugor by chance some time ago during which he asked to know about the immediate needs of the College.

According to Igabari, since many of the students could not afford chair and desk and had to write on bare floor, particularly during examinations, he could not hide this ugly situation from Oshanugor, who instantly promised to assist.

Few months later, Oshanugor from his base in America paid for the construction and delivery of the chairs to the College. The Principal explained that prior to his meeting Oshanugor, the College had made it compulsory for every student to provide single-seater chair with desk. “However, parents of many of the students could not afford to buy the chairs hence, they were forced to sit on bare floor but with this donation of 80 chairs, they would be no more writing on the bare floor, he said.”

The Principal could not hide his deep appreciation for the donation of the chairs which according to him would take care of no fewer than 240 students.
While commending the high quality of the chairs, Igabari disclosed that the total value was about N2.4million as the average cost of one was put at N30,000.

The Chief Inspector of Education (CIE) in charge of Aniocha South Local Government, Mrs. Ubiawhe Martha was present at the occasion on behalf of the Honorable Commissioner for Secondary Education to receive the donated chairs. On behalf of Delta State Government, she expressed appreciation to the donor.

The Principal used the opportunity to call on the government and other well meaning indigenes of Ubulu-Uku and old students of the College to assist in erecting fence round the college as a first line of defense in this era of high insecurity.

“As the Principal in whose care students of the College are kept, I am always concerned about their security. I am therefore appealing for urgent assistance to ensure that the school is well fenced,” he remarked.

Apart from Oshanugor, there were some other cash donors towards the 59th Inter-house Sports activities among whom was the traditional ruler of Tata-Osho in Ogun State, Oba Abayomi Adegbite. He was the designated Chairman of the occasion though physically absent but sent a donation of N50,000 through a representative.

In the Oba’s stead, Rev. Fr. Stanislaus Odiegwu, an Old Boy of the College acted as the chairman at the occasion. He took time to pray for Oshanugor and other donors who have helped to uplift the College.

Other highlights of the Inter-house Sports event were Relay races by students invited from neighbouring colleges like Anglican Grammar School, Ubulu-Uku, Nshiagu College, Ogwashi-Uku and others.

A good number of parents of students, old boys of the college and welll wishers were present at the occasion which was described by the UDC President General, Sir Ugbaja as colourful and lively.