Former Military Administrator, General John Atom Kpera (RTD) has lauded the commitment of Ekulu Primary School alumni, Enugu on their commitment to their school’s restoration.
“Ekulu Primary School holds a very special place in my heart,” he said in a goodwill message. During my time as the Military Governor of East Central State in the early 1970s, my children attended this school. I witnessed firsthand the dedication of its teachers, the discipline of its pupils, and the unwavering commitment of the community to quality education. These virtues have sustained the school over the decades and continue to serve as the foundation of its enduring legacy.”
The history of Ekulu Primary School (EPS) goes back to 1956, as a mission school set up by the Church of England to cater for the children of civil servants in Enugu, who were predominantly children of the British colonial masters. This was spearheaded by Reverend Timothy Bruce Fyffe, an Anglican missionary. He was a pioneer in the Anglican community in the region and played a key role in establishing the church’s presence in Eastern Nigeria.
Fyffe served as the manager of the school and was instrumental in shaping its early years. His work in Enugu laid the foundation for the growth of the Anglican Church in that area.
According to a press statement signed by the Alumni’s publicity secretary, Enuma Chigbo, the school will be celebrating their platinum anniversary in May. “This landmark event will be a homecoming of sorts, pooling different alumni dotted all over the world to grace this special occasion.”
According to Chigbo, the platinum anniversary will feature activities spread over one week which will include March Past activities, where old students will march in solidarity with the current students, meet and greet activities, official visits to the school, and then culminating into an exquisite gala dinner and thanksgiving at the All-Saints Church.
“Seventy years is no small milestone,” says Kpera. “It represents generations of young minds shaped within these walls—children who grew into men and women contributing to our society in diverse and meaningful ways. The school’s history is woven into the fabric of our state, and its impact extends far beyond the classroom.”
The alumni are very concerned about the current state of the school, a debilitating one, which is a stark contrast of what it used to be, Chigbo said. “Seventy years is certainly worth celebrating, but with a mindset to give back to the school that gave us so much.
The event with its theme as GiveBack 26, is geared to sensitize the school’s alumni and beyond, collaborate with other stakeholders into restoring the school to what it once was, under the umbrella of the alumni association – Ekulu Primary School Alumni Association (EPSAA). EPSAA was founded in 2023 and is currently headed by Chioma Nwosu the President.
“As we celebrate today, let us also look forward with hope. The world is changing rapidly, and the responsibility of equipping the next generation with knowledge, character, and resilience has never been greater. I commend the teachers and administrators who give their best every day, often under challenging circumstances. Your work is noble, and your influence is lasting,” Kpera concludes.
