FOR THE RECORDS
THE ROLE OF OKWURUSI ‘80’ AGE GROUP MEETING IN THE FOUNDING OF COMMUNITY COMPREHENSIVE SECONDARY SCHOOL, RUMUOKWURUSI, FROM FEBRUARY, 1981 – JUNE, 1988
The history of the Comprehensive Secondary school will be incomplete without the name of OKWURUSI ‘80’ Age Group Meeting being boldly mentioned.
The Age Group, which started in August 1980, has among other objectives in their constitution, the establishment of a Secondary School in Rumuokwurusi to enhance and accelerate the Educational Development of the Community.
For the accomplishment of this ideal objective, Okwurusi ‘80’ on 18th February 1981, forwarded its first request Application for Secondary School in Rumuokwurusi to the them Governor of the State Chief Melford Okilo in which they outlined the facilities available in Rumuokwurusi for a Secondary School to take off.
This was followed by a meeting summoned by the Age Group with the Elders and Chiefs of Rumuokwurusi who at the end of this meeting endorsed their support to the proposal.
On the strength of this, Okwurusi ‘80’ Age Group, on 8th November, 1981 forwarded a second application to the then Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education in which the following Chiefs and Elders among others, were signatories: Late Chief Abel M. Worgu whose relentless efforts gave more zeal to Okwurusi ‘80’, Chief Ansom N. Ikeani, Chief M. W. Amadi, Elder Jeremiah Worgu, Mr. Sunday Ogbonda Amadi, Engr. B. A. Worgu, Chief J. S. Amadi, and Mr. Sam N. Orlu.
On the September 1982, Okwurusi ‘80’ Age Group forwarded a reminder of the Application to the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education. This was followed by a second reminder on 10th September 1983.
In response to these reminder applications, the Ministry of Education sent in a reply informing the Okwurusi ‘80’ Age Group Meeting that a team of inspectors from their office shall come for an inspection of the site on the 6th of December 1984.
To put their house in order and embrace the task ahead of them, Okwurusi ‘80’ single handedly embarked in the completion of the U.P.E. School building which was left uncompleted by the then Eastern Nigerian Government.
The building containing four class rooms was roofed from beginning to the end, and street pillars and pipes installed by Okwurusi ‘80’ Age Group. A project which cost the Age Group Meeting the sum of N2.500.00.
In appreciation to ‘80’ Age Group efforts, the under mentioned meetings moved in to assist in making the project a success. These among other meetings are ‘The Age Group No.1 meeting which ceiled one of the classrooms, Unity and Progress Meeting which floored two classrooms of the U.P.E. School building.
To crown this project a liberal and humanitarian son of Rumuokwurusi in person of Hon. S. O. Worlu, now J.P. donated one hundred dual desk seaters worth N1.000.00 to this school which formed the pioneer equipment for the school.
Moved by the efforts of Okwurusi ‘80’ the Rumuokwurusi Chiefs and elders approved the Secondary School levy of N5.00 and N.00 for every adult male and female in Rumuokwurusi respectively.
Response to this Secondary School levy by the Community, though not encouraging, nevertheless, with the small amount realized from that levy, Okwurusi ‘80’ again embarked on the second project. This time it was the completion and renovation of two blocks of four classrooms each at the All Saints State School Rumuokwurusi which provide classrooms for the incoming students. To this second project, Okwurusi ‘80’ also invested reasonable sum of money, provided the required working materials, undertook the labour and supervision themselves.
Okwurusi ‘80’ having made such wonderful impact to the Secondary School project, a number of meetings in Rumuokwurusi therefore decided to join in the scheme of work.
Such meetings among others include Age Groups No.1 meeting, Unity and Progress Meeting, Nwerekarima Women Meeting, Onu Burunotu Social Club No.3 Meeting. Ex-Service Men’s Meeting, R. A. P. U. International, Rumu-Onu-bunotu Meeting, Oganurunwhu Rumuchorlu Meeting. No.7, Mens Meeting, Y.M.C.A. Meeting, Otunkpoma Meeting, Oganuruwhu Rumuorianwo Meeting, Mgbukukororom Meeting, all in Rumuokwurusi. Each of these meetings made a cash donatin of N100.00 respectively, while Otunkpoma meeting donated 16 frames for the Doors and Windows.
Other good and public-spirited sons of Rumuokwurusi also donated generously to this project. These to mention but a few include, Mr. L. O. Amadi, Engr. B. A. Worgu, Mr. Ephraim Nyemu, Hon. S. O. Worlu, Barrister J. O. Wachukwu, Mr. S. O. Amadi, Mr. L. O. Okene, Mr. Sunday Weli and others.
At the completion of this project the team of inspectors visited the site and having been impressed with the work so far done, recommended the establishment of a Secondary School in Rumuokwurusi.
The Team among other things also recommended the building of more infrastructures which then was the responsibility of the entire Rumuokwurusi Community.
As a result this, a central body called the Rumuokwurusi Town Council was established of which Okwurusi ‘80’ are members.
Today a Community Comprehensive Secondary School has been established and commissioned by the present Military Governor Col. A. S. I. Ukpo through his Commissioner fro Education, Capt. Elechi Amadi (rtd) on Thursday 25th Feb, 1988. The activities of Okwurusi ‘80’ Age group gave birth not only to the school but also to the establishment of Rumuokwurusi Town Council. To crown the efforts of Okwurusi ‘80’ particular and the entire Rumuokwurusi Community in general.
Their activities were practical demonstration to their total commitment of Educational Development in Rumuokwurusi Town.
Indeed the realization of Community Comprehensive Secondary School today can be tagged as the brain child of Okwurusi ‘80’ Age Group Meeting hence the inscription of “THE PRIME MOVERS OF SCHOOL PROJECT”, behind the polo singlet, worn by our members during the Commissioning Ceremony on Thursday 25th Feb. 1988.
As at the date of launching the second phase of the Community Comprehensive Secondary School project i.e. on 4th June 1988 members of Okwurusi ‘80’ Age Group meeting are as follows: Councillor (Engr.) B. A. Worgu – Chairman; Mr. O. C. Wali – Treasurer; Mr. Theophilus Okekem – Assistant Secretary; Mr. Godwin O. Okocha – Financial Secretary; Mr. Sunday Wli – Provost; others are Mr. Lawrence O. Okene, Mr. Dan C. Egbule, Mr. Christian Elewa, Mr. Charles Orianwo, Mr. Innocent Wpsu, Mr. Christopher Worgu, Mr. Godwin Woehere, Mr. Godffrey O. Chinwo, Mr. Lawrence Wehere, Mr. Timothy Amadi, Mr. Onuoha Ordu, Mr. Ambrose Ihunwo, Mr. Augustine N. Worgu, Mr. Apostle Solomon Ndeh, Mr. Joshua Ejekwu, Mr. Benfamin Chinda (late) – members.
Our patrons are Mrs. S. A. Wutche and S. O. Amadi.
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