Former students of Government Secondary School, Akamkpa, have returned to their alma mater with 40 writing desks, helping to ease a serious shortage of furniture affecting learning in the school.
The intervention by the 1994 set of GOSSA came during a visit to the school in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, where the alumni said they were determined to give back to the institution that laid the foundation for their academic and personal achievements.
Coordinator of the set, Dr. Joyce Ekpo Egim, said the school remained a major foundation of the members’ academic attainment and other achievements in life, adding that a reflection on their years in the institution and its present condition made the need for support compelling.
Egim described service to humanity as the true essence of existence and called on other alumni and citizens to contribute to the development of institutions that shaped their lives.
“The task of progress and development is not for government alone. Citizens must demonstrate patriotism and support critical infrastructure with high development potential because government cannot do it all alone,” she said.
She said the gesture was part of the set’s commitment to ensuring that present students enjoy a better learning environment than the one available to them, while encouraging other former students to contribute to the school’s development.
Receiving the desks, the Principal of the school, Mr. Arorim Esere Arorim, and the Vice Principal, Mr. Ogban Inyang Kanu, expressed appreciation to GOSSA ’94 for coming to the school’s aid.
They said the available desks were grossly inadequate and noted that the donation would go a long way in supporting effective teaching and learning. They also prayed for God’s blessings upon the alumni and all those who contributed to the success of the intervention.
The school prefect, Mr. Ofa Patrick Itesor, thanked the alumni for remembering their alma mater, describing the donation as a major relief for the school and students who had been confronted with an acute shortage of writing desks.
The alumni also used the visit to counsel the students against cultism, gangsterism and sexual immorality, urging them to uphold good morals, remain focused on their studies and make responsible choices.
The delegation, led by Egim, included the Treasurer, Dr. Glory Aya, and Secretary, Dr. Charity Ayara. The set also commended Mrs. Rosemary Arikpo Eni, Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, Mrs. Jacqueline Kelvin and Mrs. Gladys Silas for their contributions to the success of the intervention.
Highlights of the visit included the distribution of the 40 desks to different classes and a counselling session with the students.
By Iloke Egbe
