History was made in the Nigeria secondary school system on 22nd March, 2013 when the Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS) Orominike selected her school prefects via an open ballot election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Union of Teachers.
Our correspondent who covered the school election reported that the principal of the school Dr. Mrs. Augusta Fubara, has said that since the country is operating on democracy, she feels it should be extended to the secondary school system so as to inculcate good leadership qualities in the students hence she is exhibiting it in her school, government girls secondary school, Orominike. She pointed out that if they got used to the democratic system in secondary school, they will do the right thing when they are out of the secondary school. “I am simply catching them young to practice what is right with this process, they are being empowered to correct even adult who might not be getting it right with the electoral voting system in open proper INEC election”, Dr. Fubara stated.
She hinted that creativity is part of her style in making things work, desiring to bring a positive change. She said she want her children to be great, wondering that if they do not learn how to do something they have not done before, how do they become great administrators and leaders of tomorrow? According to her, she sees every students of the school as her children, and since she want their betterment, she has to create what will educate them in order to bring the best out of them.
Orominike Girls the thickly populated but with dilapidated buildings under the leadership of Dr. (Mrs.) Augusta Fubara, however, was described as “one family” since the students, staff and principal maintain cordial relationship in achieving their set goals.
It would be recalled that Dr. (Mrs.) Fubara was voted the best secondary school principal in Nigeria by the Yar’Adua administration, an award that almost afforded her a commissionerhip appointment in Rivers State.
Chief Moses Adiela, chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Rivers State who supervised the elections urged politicians in the state and Nigeria at large to emulate the fairness, free and transparent election by the Orominike girls.
Describing the election as peaceful and orderly, Adiela advised the school authority to champion election of prefects by the students in the secondary school curriculum, adding that when the students passes through the secondary school system they will turn out to be citizens who will never cheat in an election and who will be good administrators and leaders of the society.
He however recommended Dr. (Mrs.) Fubara for commissionership appointment based on her administrative acumen in the secondary school education system in Nigeria.
In his reaction, Eugene Onuodu, the INEC officer that conducted the election said, he was shocked when he was called upon by his boss to conduct the election knowing that it is a secondary school and it has not been done in Nigeria.
According to him, it was exciting at the end as some of the students told him that they were happy to select their own prefects by themselves instead of the usual method of appointment by the teaching staff.
Onuodu noted that it was first of its kind, and he was grateful even as the students too were excited and made his job easier, by keeping to their lay down principles.
Onuodu recalled that it was a duty call because INEC was looking for a way to effect voters education in the school system, saying that the Orominike girls election will stimulate INEC to educate them on the possibility of the students getting right when in school.
Mrs. Cordelia M. Peterside, Director Early child care, Ministry of education who represented the commissioner of education, Dame Alice Lawrence Nemi said she feel elated being part of this unique first of its kind secondary school election. She promised relating her experience to the State Commissioner of Education.
Invited representatives from the education sector were on hand to observed the election. Nwala Charles represented the chairman of Rivers State Senior Secondary schools Board, Eze George Assistant Coordinator, Teachers Registration council of Nigeria, Rivers State and Mr. Oruwari Daoju, chairman zonal Directors forum all commended the efforts of Dr. (Mrs.) Fubara for the initiative. ###
Allanso Jonathan Allanso
