*kicks off academic work Sept 13
By Freedom Okpubeku, Ughelli
Kogbodi International Schools (KIS) has opened its annex and to start academic work on Monday September 13, 2021
This is in line with the resumption date set by the Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education for primary and secondary schools in the state for the first term of the 2021/2022 academic session.
In a brief but colourful ceremony held on Thursday September 2, 2021 at the school’s annex at Onoharigho Street by Makolomi Street, off Isoko Road, Ughelli, Delta State; the annex was officially opened and dedicated to God by the Very Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Anthony Mario Ozele, the Parish Priest of SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Ughelli, Delta State.
As at 0800hours that day, the school had worn a new look as friends and well-wishers trooped in for the business of the day, evidently looking happy and overwhelmed by the edifice which beautifully stood sturdy, waiting to receive pupils/students into its fresh conducive learning facilities.
Praises and prayer soon kicked off as Rev. Fr. Ozele led the prayers and eventually blessed the annex and declared it opened in the name of God the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
He sanctified the place with prayers and moved round the entire gigantic structures in the school, sprinkling holy water from one room to another until all the rooms including classrooms and offices were covered with members of his entourage including the Parish Catechist, Mr. Donald Okpako.
KIS members of staff and guests moved along happily, singing songs of praises which rented the air melodiously.
In his speech, the proprietor of the school, Mr. Patrick E. Kogbodi, expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity granted him by God to establish the annex which is an extension of the main school behind Government Lowcost Housing Estate, near Aro Road, Ughelli, Delta State.
He expressed amazement at how the vision (to build an annex) came, how he plunged into it and how it has come to fruition.
Mr Kogbodi who revealed that the original plan was to build the annex at Agbarha Road on a vast land already acquired by the school noted that the change to bring the annex to Makolomi area of Ughelli is the will of God to bring quality education to the doorstep of the people of the area and beyond, adding that the Agbarha Road site would be built later as God directs.
“It was God’s own design plan. We never thought we were going to come this way. We thought we were going towards Agbarha Road but no. It is God’s own design that we must come here first,” he stated.
The Director of Studies informed that the annex would begin with KG, Primary, JSS sections and that the Senior Secondary would come in later to make the annex full-fledged.
He then called on the people of the area and as many who want quality education for their children/wards to patronize the school by bringing them in to register to learn in the school as, according to him, everything that makes for effective teaching/learning has been put in place in the school.
In his words, “I am so thankful to God for today. In fact, His ways are so terrible. What really surprised me most was that the one who started the whole work, when we started this school, is the one God used again to come and bless this establishment today. I was thinking that the last parish priest is the one that will bless it but he was transferred in February and Fr. Ozele was brough in February. So, it coincided … That was why he said God never makes any mistake. And today, he has come to bless this establishment. I’m so grateful to God. I’m grateful to all the staff and everyone who contributed to the development of this place. We never knew we were going to be able to get to this particular stage at this time. But God has provided and we are grateful.”
On expectations, the Director noted:
“The expectations are very high. That is why we said we must come today to do the blessing now. Those in the nursery, those in the primary, those in the basic secondary; they have been coming to the main campus for registration. So, as we open, those from the environment here are trooping in because the whole idea is bringing quality education to the doorstep of the parents; all those who are around here will now come this way. Those who have been attending, taking buses – they will not take bus again. They will just trek in here and have their quality education here in their own area.”
Also speaking, the Sole Administrator of KIS, Engr. Collins Enujioke, said:
“With great pride and excitement, I join the Director of Studies, Mr. P. E. Kogbodi, in appreciating God for granting us this new learning facility. Psalms 44:3 says ‘For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.’ I want to use this medium to encourage parents to be rest assured that we’ve put all necessary facilities in place to give their wards the best education.”
Kogbodi International Schools was founded by Mr. Patrick E. Kogbodi in 1986. With its Nursery, Primary, JSS and SSS sections armed with qualified teachers and standard learning facilities, the school has graduated many students who are have become highly placed in the society.
The school has well-equipped library, modern ICT Complex, school buses, hostel accommodation (for both boys and girls), sick bay, and sports facilities/playground and other learning facilities all in a well secured environment.
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