By Nelson Ogbu
An Otukpo born philanthropist, Comr Abba Adaudu Wednesday, 16th February, 2022 gifted a block of two modern classrooms and one million naira through Endowment Fund to Akpa Community Secondary School, Allan in Otukpo Local Government Area with the promise to do more.
Handing over the single handedly built edifice to the Proprietor of school in a well attended ceremony yesterday, Adaudu who is also an alumnus of the college said, he decided to embark on the project because of his belief that education was the bedrock of every human endeavour and hinted that with education "a child of nobody could be nurtured to become somebody in future."
The humanitarian who has also intervened in other areas of development such as; health, agriculture and youth / women empowerment as well as water supply through drilling of boreholes across many communities within his locality encouraged all well to do individuals to contribute their quoater towards the upliftment of the school via the Endowment Fund headed by Dr Chris Ngara.
In his welcome speech earlier, the chairman of the occasion and a Senior lecturer with Joseph Tarka University of Agriculture, Prof Ejembi Egri Ogaje, thanked Comr Adaudu for the giant project, saying he was not surprised by his developmental strides in Akpa as he was even referred to as "Giant" by former Principal of the college.
He disclosed that his relationship with the Chartered Accountant which dates way back was based on mutual belief for a community development adding that the presence of the dignitaries and mammoth crowd at the occasion was as an eloquent testimony for the rising profile and love for Adaudu by the people even as he urged other sons and daughters of the community to emulate the donor.
The principal, Akpa Community Secondary School Allan (ACSSA), Mr Ogaje AO in his part, thanked God for making the day a reality and Comr Abba for always remembering his alma mater,through regular award of scholarship to students and the promise to renovate both staff rooms and NYSC lodge, adding that he lacked enough words to express the appreciation of the school to him even as he named the new block of classrooms which is fully equipped with chairs and one of the school houses after Abba Adaudu.
In their separate goodwill messages, Former Deputy Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Hon Egli Johnson Ahubi, President of Akpa Youth Development Association, AYDA, Comr Augustine Onche,The Ekrakpa of Ekpari- Chief Abel Abinya Egaji and the former National President of Akpa Development Association, Bar. Abah Ejembi thanked Comr Adaudu for the philanthropic gesture and prayed that God continue to increase him in all sides.
High point of the ceremony was the official commissioning and unveiling of the well built two classrooms by the State Chairman of the People's Democratic Party, Sir John Ngbede, who was accompanied by other critical stakeholders in Idoma land, including Mr Adaba Abah, Hon. Abeje Egwa, Professor Ted Anyebe, Dr John Onah among many others.
