By Leonard Okachie,Umuahia
A diaspora group, called the Abia State Association of Arizona, USA, has renovated the School for the Blind, Afara in Umuahia North LGA, Abia, in order to improve the living and learning conditions for the students.
Chief Patrick Uhegwu, President, Abia State Association of Arizona, USA.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the group refurbished two blocks of classrooms, a dormitory, and a kitchen, and donated industrial gas cookers and gas cylinders to the 45-year-old school.
Speaking during the official handover of the facilities, the association’s President, Chief Patrick Uhegwu, said the gesture aimed to boost community development and enhance educational quality.
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“This will not only help the students, but also the community and environment, as well as encourage the students and school authorities,” Uhegwu said.
He said that he relayed the school’s challenges to the association, which organised Abia Day to raise funds for the project, complementing Gov. Alex Otti’s school renovation efforts.
He disclosed that his family had been supporting the school through its non-profit organisation.
He explained that during one of his visits to the school, the former principal informed him about some of the school’s challenges.
Uhegwu, who holds the title of Agunechemba 1 of Ezu-na-erim Nsirimo, Umuahia South LGA, said that the association planned more interventions, including accommodation improvements and healthcare partnerships.
He urged other diaspora groups and individuals to remain connected with their communities back home, by giving back, especially to the vulnerable.
The Commissioner for Basic Education in the state, Mr Goodluck Ubochi, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Uchechukwu Kalu, praised the group’s timely support.
“The governor is in the business of renovating schools and a lot of schools have been renovated, and the School for the Blind is not left out.
“But these people are coming in to help do this work at a very good time, a critical time when we most needed them,” Ubochi said.
The Mayor of Umuahia North LGA, Mr Smart Ihuoma, commended the diaspora group and promised to fix mosquito nets in the student hostels.
The Principal of the school, Ngozi Emelike, expressed gratitude to the State Government, mayor and the association, saying that the structures were in a dilapidated condition before the intervention.
NAN reports that the visually impaired students, who showed their delight over the kind gesture by the association, danced to entertain the guests and also prayed for them.
(NAN)
