As part of activities to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of St. Anthony’s College, Ubulu-Uku, the old boys’ association has commenced plans to sink a borehole in the institution.

The project also includes the provision of a stanchion, laying of a network of pipes for distribution of water to the school community and purchase of a 30kva diesel generator to be dedicated to powering the borehole.

Unveiling the anniversary programme in Asaba, chairman of the Planning Committee, Sir Okey Ofili, said the project was necessitated by the hardship students and staff of the college are facing in getting water.

“In our days in the school, there was a nearby stream where as young boys we regularly shuttled to get water. The stream has since dried up and this has posed a huge challenge for the staff and students of the school”, Ofili, a retired Head of Service in Delta State explained. According to him, Ubulu-Uku, a town in Aniocha South local government area of Delta State, has a challenging terrain.

“Experts have surveyed the area and found that we have to drill to over 2,000 feet to get a sustainable water level, hence the seeming high cost of executing the borehole”, he stated, adding “it is a task we are determined to see through.”

Despite its designation as one of the few model secondary schools in the state, St. Anthony’s College, Ubulu-Uku has not received adequate government attention with its science laboratories, students’ dormitories, library, classrooms and other facilities dilapidated.

Ofili said the old boys’s association will mobilise its members to aid in the rehabilitation of some of the facilities while pleading with the state government to join in restoring the glory of the college.

The ceremonies begin on October 21 with a novelty football match between members of St. Anthony’s College, Ubulu-Uku Old Boys Association (SACOBA) and their counterparts from St. Patrick’s College, Asaba. A public lecture and luncheon during which the borehole project will be launched are part of activities for the following day with a thanksgiving service at St. Charles Catholic, Ubulu-Uku rounding off the anniversary on Sunday, October 23.

“St. Anthony’s College, Ubulu-Uku has produced some of the best brains and most accomplished people in the country and we hope to gather as much of them as possible at the anniversary to celebrate a great institution but also contribute our quota in restoring its old glory”, Ofili said.

Photo: Okey Ofili