…Donates food items
As part of its humanitarian services to society, the Abia State University Alumni Association,ABSUAA, Owerri Digital Chapter, at the weekend, paid a visit to the Imo State Secondary School For the Deaf and Dumb situated at Ofekata Orodo in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state.
Going round the school compound led by the school’s matron, Mrs Mary Chike the ABSUAA delegation led by TPL Mrs Edith Akwaeke and made up of the Secretary General, TPL Chinedu Uzoma; Welfare Officer, Dr Nneka Adiele; Ambassador Vivian Clement,Fitness Coach, Chidi Chukwukere and Comrade Chidiebere Iwuoha observed that the atmosphere was one of neglect, abandonment and untold hardship. They were touched by the situation on ground and took a decision to return to the school in the next few weeks for more assistance.
Addressing the staff and students of the school later, TPL Akweke who represented the chapter’s Digital Chairman, Chief Kenneth Chukwurah(Udumiri Amandugba) popularly known as “Kenpee”, sounded it loud and clear that the delegation was not impressed with the state of affairs in the school and promised to do more for the school and attract other groups and individuals to offer their assistance.
Akwaeke further said, ” We came for a visit but having observed that you have other pressing needs, it is important that you go home and articulate your needs for us to know where to come in and how to reach out to other individuals.
For example, when we went round, we discovered that there was no light and the premises was not well protected to prevent hoodlums from gaining access to the compound. Even while we were entering the compound, we were somewhat frightened as a result of what we saw.”
Supporting her Vice Chairman, the Welfare Officer, Dr Nneka Adiele enjoined them to be patient and hope for the best, adding that having remembered them, other people would fall in line to remember them also. She further said that some groups or individuals may decide to take up different responsibilities like repairing the borehole, hostel roof, fence etc. But that with this particular visit, ABSUAA had come, seen and would definitely conquer.
Responding to the remarks of ABSUAA representatives, the Vice Principal of the school, Mrs Eleazu Angela Oluchi paid glowing tribute to the ABSUAA group for remembering them and prayed God to continue to bless the association.
On their challenges in the school, she disclosed that the management had written several letters to relevant authorities for assistance but none had come to their rescue. She disclosed that the school with over 200 student population and 13 teachers in different subjects, needed to beef up security and engage at least two security guards to guard the massive compound and install solar lights as an alternative to regular power supply; repair the school borehole and ensure their food security by continuously supplying them with food stuff. These, she said, would definitely give them a sense of belonging and help them think less about their health challenges.
Items donated by ABSUAA included: 2 bags of rice, 5 cartons of Indomie, 1 carton of Sugar Gold tin tomatoes, 2 big detergents, 3 rolls of toilet tissue, 1 carton of milk, 1 carton of Chocolate drink, and 1 carton of biscuits. Some of the items were shared to the students before the delegation departed.