In the famous saying of Victor Hugo " He who opens a school door, closes a prison door". This emphasise the need for education as everyone's entitlement to achieving a sane and well developed society. Education is an integral aspect of human capital, it has great impact on the growth and development of any society. And because knowledge is power, it gives people the power into self discovery and acctualisation of individual potentials.
Maybe it is on the strength of the above that the then Cross River State military administration of Lt. Col. Ernest Kizito Attah established Model Secondaryl School, Okpoma in 1992. Model school is the only Cross River State owned school with boarding facilities. It was strategically brought to Yala LGA in cross river north through to the influence of Dr Mrs Rose Oko ( of blessed memory).
The school have undoubtedly impacted greatly in the lives of young people across the state and beyond. It has produced some of the young bright minds and smart brains in the state. According to its school anthem, " We are great noble students and one of its kind, we are working towards a noble goal..." Model secondary school has been a grooming ground for young leaders of noble minds since about 1995 till recently when its existence has become threatened by the continuous negligence by the state government.
It is very sad to make public that this historic institution which was among the best public schools in the entire South - South geopolitical zone during the Donald Duke era is now at the verge of total collapse and in its final stage of dilapidation. According to reports, the last time the school felt any government intervention was during the era of His Excellency Sen. Liyel Imoke. After which they have not been any form of maintenance of any sort.
As at current, boarding students have fled their various hostels and are now squeezed into empty staff quarters due to leaking roofs and broken ceilings. The school currently has a staff strength of only 12 teachers with 3 PTA staff and a handful of NYSC Corps members. Students eat outside as their refectory is completely damaged. The school library and laboratory are literally empty. Students have no option but to read with flash lights, due to the non availability of electricity in the entire Local Government, and because the school power plant packed off since 2015.
The school clinic has been out of use for long. The pharmacy is completely empty, the beds have long outlived their duration and there's a disturbing report that there's no single medical staff at the clinic. Students are exposed to all manners of health risks, especially in this time of Covid-19. It is rather pertinent that a public boarding school cannot afford quality health care for her students.
We hereby, appeal to His Excellency Prof. Sen. Ben Ayade, the Digital and the most Enterprising Governor in Africa to come to the aid of Model Secondary School Okpoma. A school as remarkable as this cannot collapse under the active supervision of two notable professors as governor and deputy governor. The school which is one of late Senator Rose Oko's earliest legacy if brought to modern standard may be renamed ' SENATOR ROSE OKO MODEL SECONDARY SCHOOL OKPOMA'. This will not only provide quality learning environment for young cross riverians, but will also serve as a more befitting monument for the late icon who facilitated the school project.
We also appeal to political leaders from Cross River North that as they go about their political activities geared towards the Cross River North bye election, they should look with empathy and love for humanity and see what they can contribute to revamp Model Secondary School Okpoma from total collapse. Contributions from well meaning individuals and corporate bodies will be well appreciated. Hence, all tele-communication network providers, unicem, and commercial banks in Cross River State looking for community service project should kindly consider Model Secondary School Okpoma.
For the sake of the fond memories of our boyhood and girlhood which we had with some of our earliest acquaintances, we also appeal to all Model old boys and girls alumni to take advantage of this opportunity and give back to their Alma mater. We cannot allow the cradle of our academic exploits go to ruins.
Long live Model Secondary School Okpoma
#MOSSO4EVER!
Agaji Adie Ntamu
For class of 2006
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