The Annunciation Catholic College Irrua Old Boys Association (ACCIOBA) has instituted a N100 million endowment fund and completed eye-popping infrastructure to support the re-development of their alma mater in the Edo State community.

The unveiling of the various completed and ongoing projects coincided with the school's maiden Nine Lessons and Christmas Carols festival, which also featured the award of cash and scholarships to deserving students of the school, which was founded in 1955.

At the event, ACCIOBA announced N70 million had already been raised from the N100 million Scholarship and Endowment fund just launched. It unveiled a fully completed six-bedroom Corpers' Lodge, a 500-capacity College Auditorium, and a 20-bed ultra-modern medical centre which is now in its completion stages.

Other projects showcased at the event included a perimeter fence constructed around the school for adequate security, a statue of the founder of the school, Rev. Fr. Anselm Ojefua, a school gate house, installed solar power, and a tarred thoroughfare from the gate to the principal’s office.

The old boys of Annunciation Catholic College, Irrua, who have since become top professionals in various corners of the world, also supported the school by employing 10 highly qualified teachers, furnishing staff rooms and classrooms, supplying several boxes of text and exercise books, and providing six lawn mowers to maintain the school's vast compound.

As part of the event, ACCIOBA distributed bags of rice and beans worth N2.2 million to teachers and staff as incentives to encourage good teaching and learning.

Global President of ACCIOBA, Sir Pascal Isele, represented by Mr David Akhuemokhan, read the first lesson during the Carol festival, while the second lesson was read by Prof. Mathew Ighalo, represented by Mr Mike Akhimien.

In their messages at the event delivered via Zoom, the Global President, Sir Paschal Isele, Keynote Speaker, Dr Peter Okojie of ACCIOBA's North American branch, Engr Joseph Akhigbe, and Dr Joseph Ohens (President, ACCIOBA North America), were excited that the school was regaining its lost glory. They therefore called on the students to be committed to their studies and avoid acts capable of mortgaging their future.

The Chief Inspector of Education, Esan Central, Mrs. Irene Uyigue and the Principal of the school, Dr Peter Aikore assisted the Global Secretary, Dr Ayemhenre Esekheigbe, to hand over awards to Aiwodogbo Wisdom and Odili Joseph, who respectively emerged overall bests in Junior and Senior secondary classes.

Ohens, the North America President of the association, told reporters that an architectural plan for the construction of an ultra-modern hostel complex is ready and awaiting the Edo State government's approval.

"We are very lucky to have a Governor, His Excellency Godwin Obaseki, and a commissioner for education, Honourable Joan Oviawe, who have both indicated their willingness to partner with alumni associations in better managing secondary schools in Edo State. We are committed to exploring possibilities with the state government," he assured.

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