Edward Ederaine laments Umiaghwa School decay, calls on government to rise to its responsibility.

Edward Ederaine laments Umiaghwa School decay, calls on government to rise to its responsibility.

By Queen Stephanie Ikanone Odiete

The former President General of Okpe Union, North America, CEO Edward Ederaine Global Foundation, Okakuro Edward Ederaine, has raised an alarm over the deplorable condition of Umiaghwa Primary School in Umiaghwa Community, Okpe Local Government Area, Delta State, describing the learning environment as a ticking time bomb for the future of Okpe children.

During a recent visit to the school, Ederaine, a renowned philanthropist, promoter of education and community leader, was visibly heartbroken by what he saw. Dilapidated buildings, inadequate furniture, a shortage of teachers, and the complete absence of modern learning materials painted a grim picture. “How do you expect children to learn when they don’t even have where to sit?” he asked rhetorically, addressing journalists and community members.

“Some of the pupils sit on the bare floor, others squeeze themselves three to a bench meant for one child. This is not just negligence—it is wickedness to allow our children to suffer like this in this 21st century,” he lamented.

He said it was shameful that in a time when the world is talking about artificial intelligence and coding, Umiaghwa Primary School still lacks the manpower to teach even basic subjects. “ The school has insufficient teachers to run activities.

He appealed to the Delta State Government, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), and other relevant agencies to urgently intervene by providing desks, hiring more teachers, and supplying basic learning materials. “Education is the foundation of any great society. If we fail here, we fail everywhere,” he said.

Ederaine also called attention to the deplorable condition of the road leading to Umiaghwa, which becomes nearly impassable during the rainy season. “Even teachers are discouraged from coming. If the road remains this bad, how will education thrive?” he queried.

Some parents who witnessed his visit expressed appreciation for his continuous assistance to the pupils, with one mother, Mrs. Christy Okpako, saying, “God will bless him. For years, we’ve been crying and nobody answered. Today, someone heard us.”

As news of his visit spread across Okpe communities, many hailed Ederaine not just as a philanthropist, but as a voice of conscience. “We need more leaders like him,” a youth leader in Umiaghwa told Journalists. “He didn’t wait for election season to show love for his people.”