The Executive Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, Hon. Charles Wobodo, has pledged to collaborate with his Etche counterpart, Hon. Chima Njoku, to mobilise support for the rehabilitation of County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche, following an appeal by the school’s Old Boys Association.
County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche is one of the foremost secondary schools in Nigeria, established in 1957 and was declared Nigeria’s best public school in 2007.
Wobodo gave the assurance when the association’s executive committee paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Isiokpo, the headquarters of Ikwerre Local Government Area, last Tuesday.
The delegation, led by the National President of the association, Chief Hon. Vincent Erinwo, and also had in company the former Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Prof. Simeon Achinewhu and Prof. Wey Ameahule, drew the chairman’s attention to the deplorable condition of the school and appealed for urgent intervention to restore its infrastructure.
The association outlined critical areas requiring immediate attention, including the installation of solar-powered street lights, provision of a transformer and electricity supply to the school, renovation of dilapidated buildings, and support for activities marking the association’s reunion in December.
Responding, Wobodo expressed his readiness to support the initiative, noting that he and the Executive Chairman of Etche Local Government Area, Hon. Chima Njoku, also an old student of the institution, were already familiar with the situation.
He disclosed that he would engage his Etche counterpart to explore the possibility of providing a transformer for the school and connecting it to the electricity grid through ongoing rural electrification projects in Etche communities.
The council chairman also assured the delegation that efforts would be made to provide solar-powered lighting within the school premises.
On the rehabilitation of the ageing structures, Wobodo said he and the Etche council chairman would jointly forward a formal request to the Rivers State Governor and other relevant authorities, stressing the need for urgent intervention.
According to him, the condition of the school demands immediate attention and every effort should be made to restore the institution to a conducive learning environment.
Speaking on the proposed hosting of the Old Boys Association in December, Wobodo explained that the period would coincide with political activities ahead of the elections, making it difficult for him to make a firm commitment.
He, however, assured the association that his office would remain open to further engagement and pledged to provide support whenever circumstances permit.
Highlight of the visit was the formal decoration of Hon. Wobodo with the muffler of the Old Boys Association by the National Vice President of the association, Dr. Edwin Ojirika.
