The students of Alor Science and Technical College, Anambra State, have reminded the 2019 Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Peter Obi, that students and the people of the state would never forget him. They cited what he did in Anambra when he was the governor, especially the revolution he led in the education sector, among the reasons.

The students spoke through their representative, Master Alaoma Somtochukwu, yesterday during the pastoral visit of Archbishop Valerian Okeke to the school.

In his sermon, Archbishop Okeke thanked the management team of the school for upholding standards that Catholic schools are known for. He particularly advised students to live the lives of discipline without prompting. He also advised them not just to dream dreams, but to be pragmatic about it 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.

He, however, said that the fortunes of educational system in the state changed with the coming of Mr. Peter Obi as the State Governor. His words: “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 whether we were cursed or the cause. It didn’t take long for us to realise 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, Otubah 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 then Governor Obi gave to them for infrastructural improvement, Mr. Otubah said it was through him that the school constructed a gigantic building housing eight classrooms, the sickbay, the school canteen and library. He recalled that through Obi, their chapel was renovated, they got science and sporting equipment, 32 laptops, two 18-seater buses which they are still using, as well as generator, among others.

Mr. Obi, who was represented by his Media Adviser, Mr. Valentine Obienyem, expressed gratitude to the Church for assisting in doing so well those things which Government has done badly, such as education and health care delivery. He called for continued collaboration between the Church and Government “since the people of the state are the ultimate beneficiaries.”

The Manager of the school, Rev. Fr. Dr. Francis Unegbu, thanked all present, especially Archbishop Okeke, 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 high point of the pastoral visit was the administration of the sacrament of confirmation on some students and the commissioning of some completed projects – computer lab, tarred roads, statue of St. John donated by the old boys – by the Archbishop.

Over 30 priests and other dignitaries attended the event.

Update news