…As Ejiohuo begs for Ochanya’s case review
No fewer than ten dignitaries who attended the Golden Jubilee of Federal Government Girls’ College, FGGC, Gboko have thrown their weight behind girl-child education in Benue state and Nigeria at large.
The occasion which took place Thursday at the Lucy Aluor Hall of the school to celebrate the journey of FGGC so far was also used to review commitment of individuals, old students, groups and government at all levels towards empowering girl-child amidst daunting challenges. It was attended by a mammoth crowd including members of Unity Schools Old Students Association, USOSA; critical stakeholders at local, state and federal level amongst others.
Speaking separately at the occasion, Tor Tiv, Prof James Ortese Ayatse; governor Hyacinth Iormen Alia represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Deaconess Deborah Abel; Speaker Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Aondona Dajoh; wife of the Deputy governor, Nasarawa State, Mrs. Sheila Akabe; Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Didi Esther Walson-Jack; Benue Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Dr. Fredrick Ikyaan, Prof David Terhemba Shaahu and Dr Eunice Ngozi Okpala as well as Prof Monica Atagher amongst others, all expressed confidence in girl-child education and satisfaction with the school’s achievements.
According to them, “the future of the nation is guaranteed only when women are empowered. If you empower a woman you have succeeded in empowering a very large community” They appealed to all critical stakeholders in education including parents and guardians, religious and traditional leaders, teachers, old students amongst others to always overcome the onslaught of religious beliefs, false teachings, Gender Based Violence (GBV) and devise creative ways including use of digital technology in ensuring girl children have adequate access to quality education at all levels.
While acknowledging key roles played by the school management and teachers towards imparting quality knowledge in students, Prof James Ortese Ayatse and representatives of Hon. Aondona Dajoh and Esther Nwoson; Mrs. Cynthia Dajoh and Dr. Moses Agogo particularly advised parents and guardians, men and women of goodwill to not only extend gratitude to teachers for modelling leaders of tomorrow but equally put smiles on their faces and also provide soft landing for them when need be as they are doing a seemingly thankless job.
On her part, the Director/Principal FGGC, Gboko, Barr (Mrs) Idorenyim Ejiohuo while appreciating FG for the initiative of establishing Unity Schools and ensuring they are always in good shape also appreciated the executive governor of Benue state, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Iormen Alia for his support and prompt payment of civil servants and pensioners salaries which she noted, has helped parents and guardians in upsetting their wards’ fees and encouraged him to maintain the tempo.
Barr Idorenyim further pleaded with Governor Hyacinth Alia to revisit late Miss Elizabeth Ochanya’s case which judgement was delivered unjustly in favour of her alleged murderers while the innocent victim’s soul is still crying for justice.
She noted that civil cases have deadline but criminal cases hardly die, as such, Ochanya’s case can be reviewed as it was perceived to have been tempered with by judeges who handled it then.
It would be recalled that late Elizabeth Ochanya, 13 was a JSS2 student of FGGC who died on October 17, 2018 as a result of Vesicovaginal Fistula, VVF complications perpetrated on her by her aunt’s husband, Mr. Andrew Ogbuja and his son, Victor Ogbuja who were at the time, a lecturer with Benue state Polytechnic, Ugbokolo and student at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi respectively. Due process was followed to ensure justice was done. After four years in court (2018 -2022), the case was ruled in favour of the alleged sexual abusers.
Barr Ejiohuo who named construction of students hostel perimeter fence, construction of students pavilion; introduction of Global Queens Haircut and Global Queens Paint, installation of Global Queen statute, reconstruction of the college kitchen and cooking stands; expansion/renovation of the school hall and construction of a new principal’s quarters amongst others, as some of the projects her administration has executed so far, appreciated individual old students, various sets and other donor agencies for their unalloyed support and encourage them to do even the more.
Meanwhile, 19 persons were honoured with various awards. They include: Tor Tiv, Prof James Ayatse – Father of the College; Governor Hyacinth Iormen Alia – Advocate of Girl-Child Education; Deputy Governor of Nassarawa State, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe – Friend of the College; Mrs Enotse Ogabanya Oga, a former principal of the college-Distinguished School Administrator; Mrs. Lucy Aluor, Mrs Sheila Akabe and Barr Idorenyim Ejiohuo – Distinguished School Administrators respectively.
Other awardees included: Mrs Suleyol Chagu, Dr. Ikunna Onwuanibe and FGGC Alumni Empower-Her Initiative all awarded as Beacon of Hope for the less Privileged girl, while Prof Anthony Tor Kwembe, Prof Zacharys Gundu and Mr. Ramanus Anyanwuocha received promoter of Academic Excellence, Friend of the College and Educator Par Excellence awards.
Similarly, Alh. Dan Asabe Isah received – Girl Child Education Ambassador award, Dr. Abraham Nyianshima Ikparen, Dr. Cyprian Ifeanyi Okoro and Dr. Terna Afella all bagged Friend of the College; while Christopher Terna Atsor – Mr. George Ameh and Mrs Mary Onyanbi all smiled home with Pillar of Academic Excellence, Longest Serving Teacher and Longest Serving Non- Teaching staff awards respectively.
Recall, FGGC Gboko which has grown to a star secondary school in North-Central region resumed academic activities on January 15, 1975 with 19 students and 5 teachers and skeletal infrastructure facilities
