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| Princess Alexandria of Kent dancing with Chief Festus Samuel Okotie-Eboh in 1963. |
It was alleged that some pupils from this school were sent home from school for not being able to pay the N900 ($4) exam fee that the school authorities prescribed.
The interview with Miss Success has given that school uncommon visibility. An American football player got to see the pictures and was thoroughly dumbfounded. The world is watching.
The physical state of the building is alarming and speaks of extreme poverty and deprivation. One can only imagine how the teachers stay motivated. Many are now questioning the fund earmarked for primary school education in Delta State. In the coming days, someone will have to do some explanation.
It was truly an eye-opener to the decadent quality of education that the school is dishing out in the oil-rich Delta State of Nigeria.
The school was named after Chief Festus Sam Okotie-Eboh (1919-1966) a prominent and flamboyant Nigerian politician and former Minister for Finance during the administration of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians, Let us therefore, build a society free from oppression, victimization, free from want and poverty and free from the fears of disease- Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh (1919-1966)
The sorry state of this school does a great disservice to the good name of Chief Festus Okotie Eboh. Thanks to the tireless efforts of an independent investigative journalist cum philanthropist - Gloria Ekedum who has given many the opportunity to offer assistance to the needy families in that school. Her work has revealed that many of the pupils have major health concerns. A free medical outreach is been planned for that community in the coming weeks.
Back in his day, Chief Okotie-Eboh has accused of being "a thief and a corrupt public officer." Some even described him as the first most corrupt Nigerian Minister of State. However, evidence shows that the man was wealthy before he assumed public office and that he was a "victim of circumstances." Gbanjie (2013) asserted that "Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh was killed because he was a meteoric star from the minority Mid-West Region, bluntly, the Niger Delta. He was a victim of the despotism of the majority triumvirates in the then military institution and a guinea pig in the laboratory of military politicians.
Back in his day, Chief Okotie-Eboh has accused of being "a thief and a corrupt public officer." Some even described him as the first most corrupt Nigerian Minister of State. However, evidence shows that the man was wealthy before he assumed public office and that he was a "victim of circumstances." Gbanjie (2013) asserted that "Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh was killed because he was a meteoric star from the minority Mid-West Region, bluntly, the Niger Delta. He was a victim of the despotism of the majority triumvirates in the then military institution and a guinea pig in the laboratory of military politicians.
He was never found guilty of corruption by any court of competent jurisdiction and by any interventionist body of graft. The military junta who carried out the coup and the killings have now been proved wrong and found guilty by the verdict of history."
The late Chief Festus Okotie Eboh once said " Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians, Let us, therefore, build a society free from oppression, victimization, free from want and poverty and free from the fears of disease"
I will like to use this opportunity to call on the Delta State Government to upgrade all schools in the state and to redeem the good name of a true Delta Ambassador.
The Nation Newspaper reports that the Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education, Delta State, Nigeria, Barr. Chiedu Ebie has waded into the levy brouhaha. He is quoted as saying:
“Consequently I have directed the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to suspend the Head Teacher pending the outcome of a formal enquiry into the issue of unauthorised levies/ and fees imposed by her in the School.”
On concerns over infrastructural decay in the school, Ebie said: “Having discovered the dilapidated state of the infrastructure in the Schools, steps were immediately taken by the State Government, through the Ministry of Basic & Secondary Education, to carry out a phased renovation and upgrade of the infrastructural facilities beginning with Okotie Eboh Primary School II.
“It is important to place on record and for the avoidance of doubt that the Contract of the first phase was awarded on the 29th of December, 2018 and work has since commenced.
On our part, we will be publishing the current physical state of schools in Nigeria and clamor for change where needed.
We hope to implement the Nigeria School Health Policy in that school.
A previous survey did report the following in Nigerian public schools:
The goal of this program is to ensure that each school attains the status of a health promoting school : “A school that is constantly strengthening its capacity as a healthy setting for living, learning and working”.
Uvoh Onoriobe DMD, MPH
www.hhands.org
Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/01/tribute-chief-festus-okotie-eboh-and-the-justiceability-of-history/
The late Chief Festus Okotie Eboh once said " Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians, Let us, therefore, build a society free from oppression, victimization, free from want and poverty and free from the fears of disease"
I will like to use this opportunity to call on the Delta State Government to upgrade all schools in the state and to redeem the good name of a true Delta Ambassador.
The Nation Newspaper reports that the Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education, Delta State, Nigeria, Barr. Chiedu Ebie has waded into the levy brouhaha. He is quoted as saying:
“In my brief encounter with the Head Teacher this morning, there appeared to be numerous inconsistencies in her response on this issue as she was unable to categorically state who authorized her to impose the levies or fees which is in clear breach of the extant rules.
“Consequently I have directed the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to suspend the Head Teacher pending the outcome of a formal enquiry into the issue of unauthorised levies/ and fees imposed by her in the School.”
On concerns over infrastructural decay in the school, Ebie said: “Having discovered the dilapidated state of the infrastructure in the Schools, steps were immediately taken by the State Government, through the Ministry of Basic & Secondary Education, to carry out a phased renovation and upgrade of the infrastructural facilities beginning with Okotie Eboh Primary School II.
“It is important to place on record and for the avoidance of doubt that the Contract of the first phase was awarded on the 29th of December, 2018 and work has since commenced.
On our part, we will be publishing the current physical state of schools in Nigeria and clamor for change where needed.
We hope to implement the Nigeria School Health Policy in that school.
A previous survey did report the following in Nigerian public schools:
- There are several health problems among learners
- There is a lack of health and sanitation facilities in schools,
- There is a need for urgent action in school health.
The goal of this program is to ensure that each school attains the status of a health promoting school : “A school that is constantly strengthening its capacity as a healthy setting for living, learning and working”.
Uvoh Onoriobe DMD, MPH
www.hhands.org
Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/01/tribute-chief-festus-okotie-eboh-and-the-justiceability-of-history/
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