INTERVENTION

It was a hive of activities before her arrival. Everyone was visibly excited. Every other emotion was concealed. Mummy G.O was on her way to commission the new ultra modern school building of Redeemers TEAP international school, Garki 2, Abuja. Routine school activities were disrupted and some parents ditched work to be there.  The pupils gathered in excited clusters, performing one activity or the other. Some were singing and waving white handkerchiefs in the air. Others were dressed in Yoruba inspired attires, singing welcome songs in Yoruba and performing dances of the same. There was no gainsaying yesterday, the 28th of September, 2012, that Pastor Mrs. Folu Adeboye, the wife of the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church is a most respected woman whose place in the hearts of many is that of honour and admiration. 

I noticed the moment her convoy drove into the premises. All eyes flew in the direction of the entrance gate. The children sang and danced faster, obviously all that had been going on was mere rehearsal.   When she finally highlighted from the Mercedes Benz car, in her typical calm manner, anticipation became thrill.  I expected that everyone would race in her direction. I expected everyone would want a hug or a hand shake, but we all stood in awe. The aura around her was not such that left you longing for a body contact of any kind. It leaves you longing for something deep rooted inwards. Something I am not sure words can describe.  She greeted Pastor Chinedu Ezekwesili and his wife Oby Ezekwesili, (a former Nigerian Minister of Education) whose parish owned the school.  Then Mummy G.O was led straight to the new building. After a prayer session, which she led the entire crowd in; the mother -in-Israel as she is fondly called cut the tape. She prayed that God would dwell “twenty four hours” in the building. She also prayed that the pupils of the school would be exceptional types. 

Education in Nigeria has always had something to do with the church.  As a matter of fact, foreign missionaries in the colonial period were the pioneers of formal education in Nigeria.  The church is taking over again. The government has failed in Nigerian education; the profit oriented private sector has failed middle level and low level families due to outrageous fees.  The church like always cares little about profit and more for grooming children “in the way of the Lord”. A way that emphasizes morals and good character, hard work and discipline: virtues whose demise we seem to mourn every day.   

Speaking to the press after the event, Oby Ezekwesili asserted that the fees of the school are “hugely subsidized” so that “even middle level families can afford to send their children to acquire their education”.

We (I and …) celebrate the new school building and all it represents for education in Nigeria, and we look to our good selves to intervene in other parts of Nigeria in dire need of intervention.