Nigeria Christian Secondary School Ukpom, Abak set for face-lift
Hope for a turnaround in the decaying infrastructure of Nigerian Christian Secondary School, Ukpom, Abak Local Government was buoyed last Thursday when the Exco and Board of Trustees of old students of the school visited the institution to confer with the principal and the village council as well as inspect facilities and conduct critical needs assessment of the institution.
The painstaking event which stretched for hours commenced with an interaction between members of the National EXCO/ BOARD OF TRUSTEES and the leadership of the school in the Principal’s office which itself is in a decaying state and unbefitting to serve as office of a principal of a grade A school which Nigerian Christian Secondary School is by reason of many factors. That and the eyesore that all the structures have become even from sight foisted unbridled emotions on the conversation that sequel the interaction.
Dr. Iboro Udoh, a medical doctor and an old student who moderated various phases of the event noted that the meeting was the first ever meeting of National Exco of Old Students Association of Nigerian Christian Secondary School in 56 years with any principal adding that they are gathering for the purpose of developing their alma mater.
“ This is the first time that like minds of the old students are united for the purpose of developing our alma mater” pointing out that they have members across all continents of the world: America, Europe, Asia etc. Dr. Udo proclaimed the Motto of the association, “United for an enduring legacy” asserting that the body is truly united around a common purpose.
The medical practitioner who took time to identify and introduce the old students of the school submitted that though many of them have had modest achievements, they attribute whatever they have achieved to the foundation the school gave them. He said that it is why most of them who have come to witness the dilapidated state of infrastructure, the decay were easily moved to tears, warranting the planned intervention to revamp infrastructure in the school.
The National President of Nigerian Christian Secondary School Old Students Association, Dr. Arnold Udoka, a theatre exponent in his speech which had a surfeit of dramaturgy lauded the National Exco and members of the Board of Trustees for their labour of love and sacrifice. He stated that the body would not have been in existence if not for the untiring spirit and inspiration on the part of one man,Pastor Iniobong Nwoko, an American resident who has worked closely and tirelessly with professor Celestine Ntuen and Elder Sunday Umanatte to actualize this expectation that had seen others floundering and failing.
He said that their determined efforts brought all of them together into the purposeful accord that is set to add value to NCSS. He narrated attempts in the past to set up old student association and how it always resulted in issues, noting that the current facilitators have sincerity, commitment and selflessness citing them as attributes that have brought them together.
The iconic dancer, first national Choreographer of Nigeria and University don who led the national troupe for many years and won laurels observed that it took the present body 70 days to be formed affirming that on August 20, 2020 the body was registered with Cooperate Affairs Commission as Nigerian Christian Secondary School Old Students’ Association and added with convincing audacity, “so we are ready for business”.
He said it took 56 years of the existence of the school to have its first old students association pointing out that they have come not to look at the principal but ask themselves as an association what they can do for their alma mater in fulfillment of the Motto of of the association “United for an enduring legacy”.
He asserted that the group has come to serve and be of assistance to the school. Dr. Udoka concluded that they imbibed a legacy and took the legacy to the world stating “we want to take the legacy back to where it belongs”.
In a separate discussion with the Legal Adviser of the group, Barrister Aniekan Etiebet who facilitated the registration, he said he was excited when the idea of founding the old students’ body, pointing out that they owe so much to a school which charted a path for them.
The managing director of Data Sciences said he is happy with the calibre of people on the both the EXCO and Board of Trustees, assuring that with such people, hope brims for the school.
He said that they would continue to unite as they have membership across the globe and stay true to the common purpose of revamping their alma mater.
Professor Celestine Ntuen Vice Chancellor, Ritman University and one time renowned staff of National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) in his remarks emphasized that the character acquired from the institution can never leave them behind. Ntuen during the inspection especially of the laboratories where no learning equipment of value was found lamented that in his days the laboratories were well equipped and that the lab in NCSS gave him the foundation to become a professor in a science related area.
The principal of the school, Deaconess Ima Ebebe thanked the National Exco and members of the Board of Trustees for the gesture of the visit and the plan of the group to change the fortunes of the school pointing out that she is elated with the visit which brings hope and halts despair.
Mrs. Ebebe who lamented that the school is the worst in Abak, thanked the group for the fresh breath they have brought by the way of hope. She said that she believes that with the intervention of the group, the school would reclaim its lost glory. She wondered why such a big school with huge population could face such cruel neglect, noting that with the kind of personalities and commitment and with God on their side, solution has come for the school.
The inspection of facilities in the school, provided emotional moments for the visitors. The inspection which started from the girls’ hostel, smacked of criminal neglect and insensitivity on the part of all stakeholders. All the girls’ hostels wore the looks of a war torn area with the structures in such a decayed state that not even animals can be reared in them .The hostels are hedged in overgrown wild and untamed environment without any perimeter fence thus exposing vulnerable female children to grave danger. The inspectors, however, learnt from the principal that the hostels are not habitable and that she had withdrawn the only three boarding students to live with her in the principal’s quarters.
A visit to the dining hall gave vent to an overflow of powerful emotions especially by Pastor Iniobong Nwoko who was disgusted with the unsanitary condition of the hall and the kitchen as well as the frightening reality that the school was still using firewood to cook for the students. Nwoko who became consumed with anger lost his cool and charged that this cannot just be government’s neglect, but leadership rascality and irresponsibility on the part of the school leadership. He queried if the principal and teachers would have cooked under such condition for their children and wards. He expressed dissatisfaction with the management of the school adding that we can not continue to blame government while we fail to do our part as managers of the school. He said that what he has seen is not about government but about the mind.
A visit to the school’s conveniences was most appalling. It was strange to discover that a school of 56 years still uses the ancient system of pit latrines. It was even more heart-rending for the visitors to note that in the middle of where structures for lectures are located, an open and unconcealed makeshift conveniences are created for both male and female without corresponding water cistern to mange the waste. A highly infuriated Nwoko described it as cruelty against our children while Ntuen stated that it was a return to stone age.
Of course the teachers’ quarters viewed from outside were nothing to write home about. The same sweeping decay like a tsunami has had its fair share on the ancient buildings.
The tennis court which used to provide recreation for the teachers, students and Abak city dwellers who loved to visit to play tennis is now a relic of history. Not only that it is outgrown with grasses with the tennis court in physical ruin, it is that it is difficult to remember it as a tennis court. It stands today as a testament of the depth of ruin that has become the lot of the school.
The tour dovetailed into the team meeting with the students which sadly took place outside because the known assembly block is completely dilapidated warranting the use of open space for the routine morning devotion. But the elated students were happy with the old students.With the vice-principal, special duties, Mr. Philip Mel providing exciting pep talks, there was no dull moment for the students. Various speakers, from Dr. Udoh to Arnold Udoaka to professor Ntuen to Mmeme Akpabio to Aniefiok Ekwere; all old students shared experiences and encouraged them to excel in their studies to be good ambassadors and school graduands that would join them as old students of the institution.
The group also visited the palace of the village head and appealed to him to assure them of the cooperation of his subjects as members of the Old Students of the school get set to task themselves to provide resources to revamp the school and return it to its glorious era.
The group also intimated the village of the fact that it is not a government body but old students of the institution who are disenchanted with the neglect meted out to a premier school of such standard. They expressed their determination to do whatever sacrifice possible to once again provide a learning environment for the students and better conditions for the teachers.
The group has the following as member of its National Executive.
1. Dr. Arnold Udoka – President
2. Dcns. (Mrs.) Mmeme Akpabio – Vice President (National)
3. Pastor Iniobong Nwoko – Vice President (Diaspora)
4. Dr. Effiong Eno – Secretary General
5. Mrs. Ime Akpabio -Treasurer
6. Dr. Iboro Elijah Udoh – Welfare/Social Secretary
7. Mr. Friday Essien Akpan – Public Relations Officer
8. Barr. George Enyiekpon – Assistant Secretary General
9. Engr. Ekerete Ukere – Financial Secretary
10 Bar. Aniekan Etiebet- Legal Adviser
Ex – Officios:
1. Engr. Ndiuwem Akpabot (NIGERIA)
2. Mrs. Aniefiok Ekwere (NIGERIA)
3. Dr. Ignatius Ekanem (DIASPORA)
The Board of Trustees is headed by Professor Celestine Ntuen.
Other members include:
Professor Hillary Inyang Inyang
Professor Richard Peters King
Dr Nkoyo Ekop Akpan
Dr Enobong Imeh Akpan.
