Construction of an ultra-modern pitch podium has been flagged off at Oke Uvuru Secondary School, as part of activities marking the institution’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.
The multi-million-naira project, donated by renowned philanthropist and sports enthusiast, Chief Barr. Success Obioma Akagburuonye, is designed to have a seating capacity of 720 and is expected to transform the school’s sporting facilities into a mini stadium.
The project forms part of efforts by the school’s alumni to upgrade facilities in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the institution. Performing the ground-breaking ceremony, the traditional ruler of Ama Asaa Uvuru Autonomous Community, Eze Michael Njoku, commended the donor for his commitment to grassroots sports development and education.
Speaking on behalf of Chief Akagburuonye, Hon. Dennis Adikwuru, Chairman of the Novelty Match Sub-Committee of the Golden Jubilee Anniversary Planning Committee, said the vision of the donor is to transform Oke Uvuru Secondary School into a “sports village” through the upgrade of its sporting infrastructure, making it a hub for talent discovery and development.
Hon. Adikwuru also disclosed that Chief Akagburuonye is currently renovating the school’s library complex as part of his contributions to the jubilee celebrations.
In his remarks, Eze Michael Njoku, the Eze Udo I of Ama Asaa Uvuru Autonomous Community, described Chief Akagburuonye as a selfless philanthropist whose numerous interventions have endeared him to the people. He recalled that the Akaraugo of Mbaise recently built a 5,000-seater cathedral for the Mbaise District of the Assemblies of God Church, a 2,000-seater Noah’s Ark Assemblies of God Church at Ogbor Uvuru, and has invested heavily in the ongoing construction of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Ogbor Uvuru.
The traditional ruler further noted that the billionaire lawyer and real estate mogul constructed the Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Area Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and is currently facilitating the construction of the Ogbor Uvuru Airport Road, a ring road expected to connect several communities to the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport.
The ground-breaking ceremony attracted several dignitaries, including the Chairman, Board of Governors of the school, Dr. Charles Aguwamba; Secretary of the Board, Elder Henry Okey Njoku; Engr. Peter Claver Nwaiwu; Hon. Herbert Udo Njoku; and Mr. Eze Imo, who represented the President-General of the Uvuru Communities Development Union.
Teachers in attendance included Miss Agomuo Ndidi, Dean of Studies; Ugoeze Jovita Nkeiruka Njoku; Mr. Sixtus Anyanwu; Oluchi Ohaeri; and Loveline Nwachukwu. Jubilant students were also on hand to witness the flag-off of the project.
Speaking on the project timeline, the contractor, Arc. Eric Nwachukwu, assured that the podium would be completed by the first week of February 2026.