The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the University of Port Harcourt, Mao Ohuabunwa, has warned that government cannot continue establishing new institutions while existing ones are left to deteriorate.
Ohuabunwa gave the warning at an alumni event at Enitonna High School in Port Harcourt, where a strategic development master plan for the institution was unveiled.
He described the current approach to education development as unsustainable, stressing the need to prioritise the rehabilitation of existing schools over the creation of new ones without adequate funding.
According to him, government should consider merging institutions where necessary to ensure proper funding, efficient management, and improved quality of education.
He added that government alone can no longer sustain education funding, urging stronger collaboration with alumni bodies, private organisations, and intervention agencies.
The former senator and Chairman BoT of the Peoples Democratic Party, described the condition of the School as disturbing and called for urgent, coordinated intervention to restore its lost glory.
He also advocated engagement with relevant agencies, including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), to support the rehabilitation of aging infrastructure.
The educationist warned that continued neglect of legacy institutions could undermine the country’s educational foundation, stressing that immediate and collective action is required to address the decline.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Professor Chris Akani, urged a policy shift toward proper rehabilitation and funding of existing institutions, warning that continued neglect of legacy schools poses a serious threat to the education sector.
According to him, where necessary, government should consider merging institutions to optimise resources and improve efficiency, rather than spreading limited funds across too many schools.
Professor Akani described the state of many legacy institutions as worrisome, noting that continued neglect poses a serious threat to the future of education in Nigeria.
Also speaking, the National President of the Enitonna High School Alumni Association, Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwa, said the unveiling of a ₦1.7 billion, 10-year master plan marks a significant step toward restoring the school.
He noted that the institution, founded in 1932, has suffered years of neglect, land loss, and infrastructural decay.
“The plan includes the construction of classrooms, hostels, and a modern ICT centre to improve learning outcomes, with appeal for government and stakeholder support to ensure successful implementation”
The Principal of the school, Sir Thomas Gogogute, also called for urgent intervention, stressing that while the school has a strong legacy of excellence, immediate collective action is needed to restore its dignity.
He noted that for decades, the School has been known for academic excellence, discipline, and character development, producing notable individuals who have contributed to national growth.
Sir Gogogute principal, however, expressed concern over the current state of the school, stressing that immediate and collective intervention is needed to reposition it and restore its lost dignity.
