Ataba Community in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State was agog last week Wednesday, as the chairman of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Eastern Zone, Comrade Peter Timothy lgbifa donated sets of computers and appliances to Government Comprehensive Secondary School, (GCSS), Ataba in Andoni LGA.
Speaking at the brief presentation ceremony, Warisofini Emmanuel Nkere who stood in for Comrade lgbifa stated that the donor’s love for high academic excellence and zeal to uplift the educational standard of students was his primary concern, hence the burning desire to create an impact towards the sector.
lgbifa said the need to reposition the educational sector was paramount and uppermost in his mind and the donation is aimed at bridging the gap between students in the urban areas and their counterparts in the Local Communities.
He charged the students to utilize the facilities to better their future, adding that GCSS Ataba which is his Alma Mata would one day be placed on global map academically. He further enjoined them to exhibit good moral conducts to their teachers for a more vibrant and robust relationship that will place them above their counterparts in their future endeavours, while promising to keep fate with the school until his dreams to reawake academic consciousness comes true.
Speaking to journalists after the presentation ceremony, the principal of the school, Mr. Godfrey Friday Talick said he was happy to be part of history, as the donation has given the school a boost. He commended the donor and appreciated his efforts by giving the school a facelift, adding that Comrade lgbifa has rendered so many wonderful assistance to the school in the past.
He described the donation as fantastic and overwhelming, pointing out that God raised the donor to touch the sufferings encountered by the students. “I am grateful for this wonderful gesture as I pray the Almighty God to elevate his status to do more for the school”, he stressed. He called on corporate organizations and individuals to emulate the kind gesture of Comrade Peter Timothy Igbifa to raise the educational standard in Ataba and beyond.
The joy of the students knows no bound as they spoke with our correspondent over the computer gift to the school. The senior prefect, Patrick Saturday and Goodluck Nkere Awaji lro Emmanuel in their comments lauded the donor whom they described as Godsent. The duo who spoke on behalf of the students thanked Comrade lgbifa for his benevolence, saying he is the greatest benefactor in recent times that have raised their standards.
They poured encomiums on him and committed him to God’s care, while also praying God to bless him abundantly in his future endeavours. A prominent community leader who would not want his name on print has this to say: “Igbifa is simply magnanimous not only to schools as he has demonstrated today through the donation of computer sets, but has assisted greatly in all spheres of life by empowering his community youths and the whole Niger Delta people in general. We are grateful to him and wish him success in life”, the octogenarian said.
It will be recalled that comrade lgbifa in the past renovated the laboratory Block of GCSS Ataba and Community Primary School I, Ataba respectively, while he undertook the renovation of principal block and twin six classroom blocks with drainage at Community Secondary School Nkpor Rumuolumeni in Obio / Akpor LGA. He was also the brain behind the donation of Science equipment and books to his Alma-mata and Community Secondary School Asarama all in Andoni LGA.
The installation of GLO network at Ataba and Asarama communities also came through his efforts. He however, called on the political class in Andoni, Rivers State and Niger Delta region to return at least 10% percent of the total cost of their campaigns sum to the development of their communities as it is imperative to assist the Niger Delta Communities.
Similarly, Igbifa’s penchant for goodwill and drive towards the upliftment of youths in the Niger Delta region saw him launch the just ever Marine Transport Support Scheme on the 21st of March, 2015 in Port Harcourt to alleviate the age long neglect of ljaws in the region by donating River crafts (High-Powered engines Attached) to reduce the risk by Marine drivers in the Niger Delta waterways. ###
