Why Anambra State Stood Still As Two Pupils Donate Library To Step-Mother School

www.odogwublog.com reports on why Anambra state stood still as two little boys, Master Netochukwu Nwogbo 12 years old and Gozzy Nwogbo 15 years old amazed the public including the Anambra state Deputy Governor, Dr Nkem Okeke and Commissioner for Education, Prof Kate Omenugha penultimate Friday.

They had built, furnished and donated a complete primary school library to Amaenyi Community Basic School in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State. That was a feat unexpected in that quarters.

Although Netochukwu and Gozzy did not school at Amenyi Community Basic School, the Step-Mother of their father, reliably gathered, taught in the benefitting primary school for years before retiring from teaching job.

Handing over the key of the school library to the Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha, Netochukwu Nwogbo, said they embarked on the project because they were heartbroken immediately they visited the school only to embrace by her dilapidated infrastructure and non-functional library.

 His words: “Our parents always taught us to be grateful for the things they are able to provide for us. They taught us that giving to those that do not have is lending to God. They practiced these teachings in their own lives by always seeking opportunities to bless others.

“It was therefore not surprising to them when we decided to embark on this project. We had just paid a visit to the Amaenyi Community Basic School and were heartbroken at the dilapidated state of the library. We could have asked our parents for help, as my dad had not long ago built a classroom block at Capital City Secondary School, Awka and my mum currently runs a foundation that provides resources for children.

“We however, decided to do it ourselves, to prove to other kids that you’re never too young to lend a hand. We are extremely grateful to all the people that responded to our fundraising requests. We couldn’t have done this without you. We are also grateful to our mum, who helped coordinate the process and took care of the adult aspects of the projects. We hope that this project will improve the reading culture of the pupils, encourage more development in our schools, as well as ensure that our children are well equipped to be the great leaders of tomorrow.”

In a response, the primary school Headmistress, Mrs. Eunic Okoli commended the children and their parents for the kind gesture, noting that the project would speed-up reading culture among the pupils.

Okoli, while encouraging others to emulate Nwogbo family, called on parents and highly spirited individuals to key into building and furnishing libraries with books and other needful with a view to re-inculcating reading culture in contemporary Nigeria which according to her has witnessed dwindling misfortunes since the inception of Information and Communication Technology via social media and internet.
  
On his part, Governor Willie Obiano, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, directed the Head Teacher to visit the office for more library materials. He commended the pupils for their courage and their parents for supporting their ideas as not every parent would buy into the efforts and vision of their children.

 He encouraged other children to think positively for others as giving is better than receiving and assured he would continue to support any meaningful effort in the society even as he lauded the Obiano’s administration for investing good in education.

While the State Commissioner, Prof. Kate Omenugha called on other Anambrarians to partner with the State Government in improving the Education Sector, with a view to moving the sector forward. She poured encomiums on the wards for thinking for other children and asked God to continue to see them through to enable them do more charity for others.
 
 The event was witnessed by eminent personalities from all walks of life with other children pledging to emulate Netochukwu and Gozzy Nwogbo’s view in life.
Their mother Mrs Uchechukwu Nwogbo appreciated all that made the commissioning of he Library  possible, commending his children for having the selfless spirit that drives one higher in life. She recounted how they visited the school and coming back to complain bitterly about the dilapidated structures , furniture, cracked tiles and outdated books in the library before with their approval went into fund raising and finally it came to pass.
She said the presence of the dignitaries would motivate them into more charity and humanitarian projects in future.