In a tangible demonstration of alumni commitment, the Community Secondary School (CSS) Ejule Class of 1991 Association has taken a significant step to modernize education in their alma mater. The group donated six high-specification laptops, valued at N1.3 million, directly targeting the critical Information and Communication Technology (ICT) gap that hinders students in many Nigerian public schools. This initiative moves beyond mere charity; it represents a strategic investment in digital literacy, which is increasingly non-negotiable for academic and professional success in the 21st century.
By Stephen Adeleye
Ofu (Kogi), Dec. 30, 2025 (NAN)
The formal presentation occurred during the association’s Annual General Meeting in Ofu Local Government Area, Kogi State. The gesture underscores a growing trend where alumni networks are becoming pivotal actors in supplementing government efforts to equip public schools, particularly in underserved regions.
Deepening the Impact: More Than Just Hardware
The outgoing President, Dr. Sunday Jonah, a Medical Doctor at the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja, framed the donation within a continuum of support. He highlighted that this was not the association’s first intervention, noting a previous donation of books to the school library in 2021. “This donation of laptops worth N1.3 million is to fundamentally boost teaching and learning methodologies,” Dr. Jonah stated. He commended members for their contributions, emphasizing that the goal is to move the school beyond rote learning to interactive, technology-aided education. He urged students to leverage this resource diligently, obey their teachers and parents, and wholly eschew academic shortcuts.
A Sustained Vision for Empowerment
The baton of leadership now passes to the newly elected President, Prof. Friday Ogwu, a lecturer at Nasarawa State University. Prof. Ogwu promised to build upon this foundation, revealing that the association has already conducted a needs assessment. “We’ve identified other critical needs within the school, and with God’s help, we’ll strive to address them strategically over the next six years,” he announced. This statement points to a long-term, project-based partnership rather than a one-off gift. He called on teachers to redouble their efforts in molding responsible citizens and advised students to remain focused on their goals.
Adding a crucial perspective on gender and education, the Association’s Treasurer, Hajia Habibatu Shuaibu-Onakpa, offered targeted counsel to female students. She encouraged them to prioritize their studies and consciously avoid social vices that often disproportionately derail girls’ educational trajectories, thereby linking the ICT donation to broader socio-educational challenges.
Institutional Reception and a Call to Replicate
The school’s administration warmly received the donation. The Proprietor’s Representative, Commodore Godwin Obaje, and the Principal, Mr. Shaibu Umoru, praised the alumni’s gesture and pledged to ensure the effective and secure utilization of the laptops for maximum student benefit.
The event also served as a rallying cry for broader alumni engagement. Prof. Mohamed Onakpa of Prince Abubakar Audu University, who announced his intention to join the Class 91 group, issued a powerful challenge: “I encourage other graduating classes to emulate this exemplary model. If every class set takes up a specific project—be it laboratory equipment, library upgrades, or infrastructure—the cumulative impact on our school’s development would be transformative.”
A consistent theme from all stakeholders—alumni, administrators, and academics—was direct admonition to the students. They were urged to be hardworking, focused, disciplined, and dedicated, as these traits are essential to converting opportunities like these into tangible life and career success.
In a poignant response, the school’s Head Boy, Emmanuel Etunbi, thanked the alumni for “investing in our future,” recognizing that the donation was an investment in human capital, not just equipment.
The Ripple Effect of Organized Alumni Action
The CSS Ejule Class 91 Alumni exemplifies the power of organized, professional alumni bodies. Its membership spans diverse fields—medicine, media, security, business, engineering, and academia—providing a rich network of resources and mentorship potential far beyond hardware donations. The event concluded with the swearing-in of the new executive, led by Prof. Ogwu as President and Comrade Habibatu Onakpa as Secretary General, ensuring structural continuity for their mission.
This story, therefore, transcends a simple news item about a donation. It is a case study in how localized, community-driven initiatives can effectively bridge systemic gaps in national education. It provides a replicable blueprint for other alumni associations across Nigeria, demonstrating that sustained, collaborative effort can create islands of excellence and opportunity within the broader educational landscape. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
ASA/VIV
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Edited by Vivian Ihechu
