…Says the closure is affecting the community negatively
By Simeon OSAJIE
The people of Iguoshodin Nikpemaba Community in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, have appealed to the Executive Governor of the state, Senator Monday Okpebholo for the reopening of their abandoned secondary school by the State Government years ago.
They made the appeal on Thursday, 16 October, 2025 while taking journalists on a site seeing of the school now turned forest, and a part of the expanse compound; a farm land, with the buildings falling apart.
Iguoshodin Nikpemaba Secondary School was established in 1980 by the late Prof. Ambrose Alli-led Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) administration, existed till about 2005 before it was shut down in spite of having produced several distinguished personalities across different spheres of life.
The Odionwere of the community, a Centenarian, Pa Johnson Ahanon led a gathering of the people to appeal to Governor Monday Okpebholo to intervene and reopen the school.
Pa Ahanon and the second ranking elder, Mathew Igbinosun lamented the dearth of development and growth of the community particularly the closure of the secondary school, by the previous Edo State government.
Iguoshodin Nikpemaba Secondary School used to serve no less than ten communities in the locality; but since its closure, their children trek long distances to Egor Local Government Area and other places to attend secondary school, hence the appeal to alleviate their suffering, they added.
The Chairman, Elders Council of Iguoshodin Nigbemaba Community, Prince Peter Eweka lamenting the situation he termed; unfortunate and a nightmare in modern day Nigeria. He said the people of the community are pleading with the Governor Okpebholo to extend his benevolence to reopen the abandoned secondary school.
According to him, “Just look at the very sorry state of the school long abandoned after it’s shut down by the previous Edo State Government.
“Now, our children are at the receiving end, suffering from long distance trekking, hopping on bike to other local government to attend secondary school.
“Children from no less than 10 communities in this environment were attending this school.
“So we are begging Senator Okpebholo, the people’s governor to please use his good offices to reopen the abandoned secondary school for us; to put an end to the suffering of our children.”
Before its final closure, the school was abandoned by the precious State Government when Abel Guobadia was commissioner for education, and the natives of Iguoshodin Nikpemaba community took over the funding, Prince Eweka said.
The Okaighele (youth head) of Iguoshodin Nikpemaba Community, Kenneth Omoregbe and Sunday Ojo Zabayo who passed through the school from 1980 to 1985 spoke in the same vein; appealing to the Edo State Government under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo to come to their aid and reopen the abandoned secondary school.
The Okaighele also used the occasion to appeal to the Senator Representing Edo South Senatorial District, House of Representative and House of Assembly member to urgently come to their aid in the renovation and reopening of the Igueoshodin Nikpemaba Grammar School which serves about ten communities in the area.
Also, they appealed that the Governor should help tar the Iguoshodin Nikpemaba road connecting several agro communities to Egor; an urban area, and the City of Benin stressing its multiplying benefits cannot be overemphasized.