Govt College Ughelli@80: Old Boys Association to build ₦3bn auditorium

Government College Ughelli in Delta State is set to mark its 80th anniversary on January 17, 2025. To commemorate this milestone, the Old Boys Association (GCUOBA) has announced plans to build a state-of-the-art 1,000-capacity auditorium for the school, with a ₦3 billion investment.

Albert Akpomudje, SAN, president of the GCUOBA, shared the news during a media briefing in Ekpan, near Warri. He revealed that Delta State Governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, will lay the foundation stone for the auditorium on the anniversary date.

He said the auditorium is a legacy project of the old boys, adding that the 80th anniversary would be celebrated in grand style with all branches of the association within and outside Nigeria participating.

Akpomudje, who bemoaned the falling standard of education in Nigeria, said that but for the Old Boys, Government College Ughelli would have been run aground, stressing that the main problem of the school is maintenance.

He said maintaining the structures and keeping the high standards which the school was known for since it was founded in 1947 is a challenge which the government appears to have abandoned. He said it is the only government school in the country with a Tartan track, which was built by Shell Petroleum Development Company, and needs routine maintenance.

He disclosed that the Old Boys Association had indicated interest in taking over the school from the government in order to run it efficiently and that talks have commenced in that regard.

He said, “We have submitted our proposals, and the government has sent delegations. We conducted feasibility studies, which cost us over ₦30 million, to ensure we do not fail when given the opportunity.

“When the management is ceded to us, we will oversee the employment of teachers, control admissions, and ensure that only those who pass the entrance examination are admitted.

“We hope that between now and January 2025, the government will give us a positive response. Even if this is the only thing we achieve as part of the school’s 80th anniversary, we will be grateful. There are individuals ready to finance the take-off of the school once it is handed over to us.”

The Secretary-General of GCUOBA, Pastor Wilson Egbodje, and the Assistant Secretary-General, Mr Happy Odjimogho, also disclosed that many activities have been lined up for the anniversary, including lectures, musical concerts, a gala night, and other activities.