By Gowon Edibo
The Odenyi Community Secondary School in Bassa Local Government Areas was birthed through the education policy of the late Aper Aku, the then Governor of Benue State.
Before the creation of Kogi State in 1991, the Secondary School had passed through various stages of development.
First, since the education policy of late Governor of Benue State, Aper Aku could not be sustained, the community decided to take over the structure and renamed it, Odenyi Community Secondary School.
What is today known as Odenyi Community Secondary School was funded by the entire Akuba two with contributions from all community members especially the adults.
And to the admiration of all, the school actually picked up with successes recorded in large school enrollment of students and successes in external examinations such as West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO).
It is also a thing of joy to note that young men and women who are products of the college are today well to do in their chosen careers.
Just like what Chinua Achebe said in his novel ” Things Fall Apart, the Centre Cannot hold”, The down trend of the prestigious school started when disunity raised its ugly head among the leadership.
This made the college to close to academic activities for more than five years and still closed up till now.
It is however heart warming that some illustrious sons of the land like Pastor Abel Gebi who initiated the current move, Elder Kewe David, Reverend Daniel Zhiya, Elder Daniel Gwatana, Reverend Paul Zhiya, Elder Josiah Daudu, Reverend Rai Wallah, Brother Samuel Bada and Bro Joseph Daudu among others came together to find ways to resuscitate the college.
Be that as it may, the Elder Kewe David Steering Committee has a lot to do as most of the buildings are in bad shape while a section of one of the hall has broken down completely.
Apart from the site of the college that is already overgrown with weeds, many parents have taken their wards to other nearby secondary schools to continue their education.
As the saying goes that Rome was not built in a day, it now behooves on sons and daughters of Akuba two to come together in one voice to resuscitate the college by uniting themselves for the project.
The leader of the steering committee for the resuscitation of the College, Elder David Kewe should see the assignment before him as a clarion call to serve his father land with utmost dedication.
Without unity of purpose, no community can achieve any set goal. That is why all sons and daughters of Akuba two must forget their differences and join hands with the Committee headed by Elder David Kewe to revive the Odenyi Community Secondary School.
By so doing, the prestigious Odenyi Community Secondary School will be resuscitated for the overall benefits of the community and and the younger generations.
