Utekon School Gets New Lease Of Life After Years Of Dilapidation

The transformation of Utekon Primary School from a severely dilapidated facility reportedly infested with reptiles into a more conducive learning environment has continued to attract attention in the community.

For residents of Utekon, the condition of the school had become a major concern, particularly for parents and pupils. The school building had deteriorated to the point where it was virtually uninhabitable, with reptiles reportedly taking refuge in the premises.

At the time, only one classroom was considered usable, leaving the available space insufficient for the number of pupils. Consequently, some pupils had to wait outside while others took their lessons, creating significant challenges for effective teaching and learning.

The situation was brought to the attention of Hon. Charity Iguodala Aiguobarueghian (CIA) during his engagements with the people ahead of the 2023 elections.

During his visit to the Enogie (Duke) of Utekon and other community elders, the leaders appealed to him to assist with the construction of a six-classroom block to address the urgent educational needs of the community.

The intervention that followed went beyond the original request.

Utekon Primary School subsequently became one of Aiguobarueghian’s major community interventions, with the construction of a six-classroom block, administrative offices and the provision of furniture for pupils and teachers.

The completed project provided the school with additional learning spaces and a more suitable environment for teaching and learning, significantly changing the situation that had previously confronted the community.

The commissioning of the project also produced another positive development for the pupils.

Mr. Anthony Efe Omorogiuwa, a friend of Hon. Aiguobarueghian, awarded scholarships to two outstanding pupils, with the scholarship reportedly covering their education up to PhD level, should they choose to pursue their studies to that stage.

The Utekon project highlights the potential impact of targeted investment in basic education, particularly in rural communities where inadequate infrastructure can directly affect children's access to quality learning.

Aiguobarueghian, who is seeking to represent Ovia Federal Constituency on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has continued to highlight education, community infrastructure and grassroots development among the areas he intends to prioritise.

For the people of Utekon, the school project represents more than a physical structure. It is a response to a community need and an investment in an environment where children can learn in greater safety and comfort.

The Utekon story therefore offers an example of how a community's appeal for assistance can translate into infrastructure with the potential to serve generations of pupils.