By Lucky Isibor
The Edo State government has commended the proprietor of Leberty American Leadership Academy, Okefe Aigbe-Leberty for establishing the educational institution, noting that the academy is a unique citedal of learning where the children can learn the fundamental principles of life, the tenants of exemplary leadership, ethical and moral values.
The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Engr. Marvelous Omobayo made the commendation at the opening ceremony of the Leberty American Leadership Academy, Iduowina, in the outskirts of Benin City on Saturday, 27 July.
The Deputy Governor who was represented by a Director in the Office of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Ganiyatu Uwaifo pointed out that the state government has invested huge sums of money in the educational sector adding that Edo-Best which is one the products of the investments has become a model for other states in Nigeria and has won an award from the World Bank.
According to the Deputy Governor, “Despite the economic challenges besetting our great country, Nigeria, it is heart warming to see management of this great Academy put up this structure for conducive teaching and learning.
“Like they say, education is everybody’s business. While quality education, as being offered by your Academy, can only be provided by well-meaning individuals and organizations whose passion is to positively impact society and humanity.
“No doubt, Lebarty American Leadership Academy is a unique citadel of learning where children can learn for exemplary leadership, sound ethical and moral values, as well as fundamental principles of life.
“As a responsible Government, the present administration under the purposeful leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki since assumption of office in 2016, has invested huge resources in transforming the education sector as well as training and retraining of teaching staff in the educational system.
“It is on record that the EDO-BEST program of the present administration has become a model for other States in Nigeria and also won many international recognitions, including the World Bank.
“Permit me to congratulate the investor, management and staff of Lebarty American Leadership Academy for this outstanding feat and being formidable partners with Government in advancing the frontiers of quality education”.
Earlier in his remarks, the proprietor of Leberty American Leadership Academy, Mr. Okefe Aigbe-Leberty paid glowing tributes to his parents, Mr & Mrs. John Aigbe-Leberty for giving him good education which empowered him to be giving back to the society now.
The proprietor stressed that he decided to locate the school at Iduowina, a rural community in Benin City to enable children who live in the rural area access quality education, stressing that education should not be for only the children of the rich in the society.
He said that, “When I had the vision to establish this school and I told people where I’ll locate it, a lot of people told me don’t locate it here. Why do you want to put an American school in the village?
“Put it in the GRA, you’ll make a lot of money. But I have to let them know that everything is not about money, I have to let them know that it’s not only the children of the rich that deserve good education; I have to let them know that it’s not only the children of the rich that should climb the social ladder.
“We have partnership with educational institutions in USA and our students that are going to be graduating from here will have a good life ahead of them”.
Welcoming guests, the Administrator of the academy, Mrs. Augustina Genesis assured prospective parents and students of Leberty American Leadership Academy of the commitment of the academy to create a safe and conducive learning environment for the students.
“We are committed to providing safe, stimulating and enriching environment where every child strive here at Leberty American Leadership Academy. We are assuring prospective parents, students and pupils that your presence here is not the beginning, but a stepping stone to your child’s future and we are committed to instilling leadership skills in your child because that is the purpose why Leberty American Leadership Academy has come to stay.
“As we embark on this exciting journey, let us be reminded of our core values, our vision and our mission to raising good leaders”.
In a good will message, a sibling of the proprietor, Dr. Nosa Aigbe-Leberty, a United States of America based medical practitioner pointed out that his brother chosed to make impact in the educational sector in the realisation that education builds the individual and the community.
In his opening remarks, the Royal Father of the day, Chief Osato Bazuaye, the Aiwerioghene urged the management of the school to strive for excellence to make the Academy live up to its name as excellence is the hallmark of the American educational system which the proprietor wants to replicate in Nigeria.
Members of the National Association of Private School Owners, elders of Iduowina community, members of Aghe-Leberty family, friends of the proprietor who came from the United States of America attended the ceremony.