Missionary Schools; part of our Education Standard - Imoke (8/7/08)

Cross River State Government says both Government and Missionary owned secondary schools have been earmarked for redevelopment in its effort to reposition education in the State.

Governor Liyel Imoke disclosed this at a Fund Raising Dinner hosted by him for Mary Knoll College, Okuku Yala Local Government Area, Friday, and attended by Old Students of the school. He disclosed that he visited the college a couple of weeks ago, and what he saw was a far cry from what the school was, when he was a student there and it would be irresponsible to allow it deteriorate further.

Imoke said it is Government’s intention to address the conditions of all known old schools across the State with the view of making them regain their lost glory with such schools being renovated, basic teaching facilities put in place, science and computer laboratories fully equipped and teachers trained to attain minimum certificate in order to create the difference, explaining that when these changes, are put in place, a difference will be made in Mary Knoll College.

The Governor commended the Principal of Mary Knoll College, Rev. Fr. Matthew Otuji for trying to put certain things in place within the college in order and hoped money realized from the fund raising ceremony would be applied judiciously, promising that Government will continue to support schools including those taken over by Missionaries because Cross River Education Standard can not be treated in isolation.

He pointed out that of the N100 million needed to restructure the College regain its lost glory, his friends had raised N15 million in support to make Mary Knoll College a private school with a difference and put it back on track while recognizing the roles played by the previous principals in moulding the students to become what they are today in the society and called on alumni of the college to try and make their alma mater great again.

The Catholic Archbishop of the Calabar Arch-Diocese, Archbishop Joseph E. Ukpo in “Down Memory Lane”, after giving a brief history of the college and his experience there as a pioneer student, wished the dinner was held at Mary Knoll College compound for the old students to appreciate the current state of the College, and that their efforts should not be targeted on the buildings but also on the quality of teachers to ensure effective teaching and the provision of vital educational infrastructure to ensure proper learning.

Ukpo urged them to support Imoke not only in money but also ensuring that discipline is enshrined in education through out Cross River and that they should be committed to the restructuring of the College to return to its state of excellence.

The Guest Lecturer, Rev. Fr. Chris Owan called on the old students to face the challenges facing their alma mater by looking at its building and renovation, education, science, politics, laboratory, library, publicity and communication, service and finance because the College has over the last years entertained poverty as its previous management did not do any thing positive to maintain or raise the standard of the school.

Owan therefore called on the Alumni to invest their wisdom, resources and finance for the institution to retain its lost glory.

The Chairman of the occasion and the Governor of Ebonyi State also an alumnus of the college, Chief Martin Elechi, who was represented by Hon. Timothy Omang in his welcome address, commended the alumni for the job they are doing in their different areas of endeavour and called on them to support Imoke in his effort to ensure that the school retains its lost glory.

The President, Mary Knoll Old Student Association, Mr. Peter K Bello represented by the Vice President Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) in his introductory remarks, said the College has passed through manual, analogue and digital phases in its development since 1953, adding that all of them owe Imoke gratitude as the event was remarkable and significant which also provided them the opportunity to meet, reappraise and come out with a thought on how to reposition their alma mater.

Ndoma-Egba said the school has produced military Governors, Civilian Governors of three States, Deputy Governors of three States, Senators, members of House of Representatives, State Assemblies, Chairmen of Local Government Areas and Councillors, top military and police officers, legal luminaries of SAN status, Ministers, members of State Executive Councils, Ambassadors and businessmen of repute.

He said Mary Knoll College has become desolate and its state likened to that of a mother with multi-millionaire children yet lives in poverty, adding that the dinner provided them the opportunity to equate their fortunes with the fortunes of Mary Knoll College.

According to him, the challenge is to preserve the heritage of the College to its lost glory which is a simple challenge to them.

The occasion also featured presentation of awards to some outstanding alumni whose efforts in different fields received commendations and recognition from the Mary Knoll Old Students Association.

Government House Press