By Abubakar Ohida
The Old Students’ Association of Okehi Community Secondary School (OCSS), Uboro, in Okehi Local Government Area, together with the school’s principal, Hon. Audu Yahaya Itopa, has paid a courtesy visit to the Kogi State Head of Civil Service, Dr. E. A. Evinemi, a distinguished alumnus from the 1987 set. The delegation also met with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mr. A. B. Albert, who graduated from the same school in 1985.
The visit commenced with an opening prayer offered by Mallam Aminu Suberu Onipe, popularly known as “Budget,” who prayed for divine guidance and continued preservation of the lives of all members of the association.
In his remarks, the President of the Old Students’ Association, Comrade Jimoh Aliyu Itopa, commended the commitment and contributions of both Dr. Evinemi and Mr. Albert to the development of education and public service in Kogi State. He presented souvenirs to appreciate their unwavering support and longstanding service.
Comrade Aliyu also highlighted the achievements recorded by the association over the years, as well as the pressing challenges currently confronting OCSS Uboro. These include inadequate teaching staff, dilapidated infrastructure, the need for completion of the Evinemi Hall project, and the absence of security personnel to safeguard the school environment.
Responding to the presentation, the Head of Civil Service, Dr. E. A. Evinemi, expressed profound appreciation for the recognition and assured the delegation of his continued support. He pledged to visit the school personally to assess its needs and identify areas where interventions could be made, noting that such gestures align with his philosophy of service, appreciation, and engagement with citizens across the state.
Demonstrating immediate action, Dr. Evinemi placed a call to the Commandant of the Kogi State Vigilante Service, requesting the deployment of four personnel to provide security for the school. He stressed that protecting lives and property remains a top priority under his leadership.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary of Education, Mr. A. B. Albert, expressed gratitude for the visit and promised to undertake an official visit to the school. He assured the association that he would leverage his office to address the issue of inadequate staffing and provide the necessary manpower to strengthen the school’s operations.
All directors in the Ministry of Education were present at the meeting, underscoring the significance of the visit and the shared commitment to enhancing educational development in the state.
