The Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Dr Anthony Nwokolobia, has described the interest of the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State on Media, Comrade Fidelis Egugbo, in the growth of education as unprecedented.
Speaking on Wednesday at this year’s edition of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols of Maris Schools, Amachai, Okpanam, in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, Dr Nwokolobia observed that the Governor’s aide has subsidized the cost of education at Maris Schools to the extent that it could be likened to free education.
The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by the Director of Administration in his office, Mr Godspower Ebinum-Olisa, said he would support Egugbo’s gesture in promoting education by paying school fees for five persons.
He said, “I am really impressed by the facilities in this school, the quality of teachers I have seen, and the excellent display by the students and pupils of Maris Schools.
“The fact that the school fees for pupils in Kindergarten to all primary school classes is N18,500 per pupil, and for those in Junior Secondary 1 to Senior Secondary 3 is N26,000 per student, shows a good way of promoting the growth of education in practical terms.
“I know that with these fees, Comrade Egugbo has really subsidized the cost of education in this area greatly; hearing that, even with this amount, there are flexible payment options really shows that there are people who are working with our Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, FCA, who are contributing greatly, though silently, to the growth of society.
”I love what I am seeing here today; I am impressed that there are people who are passionately giving back to society; it is very interesting, too, that, Maris Hall, the hall we are in, has been approved by the Catholic Bishop of Issele-Uku, Most Revd Dr Michael Odogwu Elue, and is being used for the celebration of the Holy Mass every Sunday, thereby providing a place of worship for Christians in this neighbourhood.
“While I thank Egugbo for his selflessness in giving back to society, I am supporting him by paying school fees for five persons in Maris Schools.”
The Priest-in-Charge of the Catholic Mass Centre, Maris Schools, Revd Fr Andrew Mozia, in a sermon after taking the ninth lesson, urged Christians to make sacrifices by supporting one another.
”God made the greatest sacrifice by sending His son, Jesus Christ, to come and die for our sins.
“What we are celebrating this season is love; we are celebrating the love Jesus has for us by accepting us as His own.
”Jesus challenged us to make sacrifices for humanity; our nation is where it is today because people are not making sacrifices; most people in positions of authority are not selfless in their duties.
“On this day, you and I are called to make sacrifices and support the growth of society.
“We thank the management of Maris Schools for providing this Maris Hall for our Mass Centre; this coming Sunday, we shall be celebrating one year as a Mass Centre; support us so that we can build another Catholic Church to have a Parish in this neighbourhood,” Fr Mozia said.
Earlier in a welcome address, Miss Nze Blessing, on behalf of Maris Schools, said, “at Maris Schools, standard facilities that are in tune with the 21st-century learning environment are not being compromised.
“International standards, with great attention to the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria, are adhered to in ensuring that students of Maris Schools compete favourably with their peers anywhere in the world.
”Today is very significant, especially as we anticipate the great feast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ; God has made it possible for us to be using this Hall, Maris Hall, every Sunday for the celebration of the Holy Mass, and we thank the Bishop of Issele-Uku Diocese, His Lordship, Most Reverend Dr Michael Odogwu Elue, for approving the Mass Centre and for sending Rev Fr Andrew Mozia as Priest-in-Charge of the Mass Centre.
”Academically, we are doing well, and we thank our parents for believing that God will use Maris Schools as a good training ground for us. Maris Schools is one of the most affordable private schools in this part of the world, with well-groomed teachers and flexible school fee payment options.
”As an institution established in memory of Stella-Maris Chukwufunimnenya Egugbo, it is still young, and we believe that God will provide for you to assist us to grow and contribute to making society better.
“We most humbly solicit your assistance to enable us acquire necessary facilities at Maris Schools – based on location, we still need buses, finance to boost our facilities, scholarships for indigent and intelligent students/pupils, and money to make this Maris Hall more comfortable for the celebration of the Holy Mass on Sundays and other activities of the school.
”God has used you to assist us to this stage. He that knows all will certainly touch you to assist us further. Kindly reach us on +2348032933933 or through our bankers: Zenith Bank Plc, Account Number: 1017189528, Account Name: Maris Secondary School.
”… your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:6.
”It is very important that we remember our Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, FCA, in our prayers; their passion for the growth of education deserves accolades, and we also say a big thank you to them for appointing our proprietor, Comrade Fidelis Egugbo (KSJI), as Senior Special Assistant on Media and Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Delta State.
“We also thank our amiable Governor for making the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, available every Wednesday before Easter Sunday for the Maris Annual Public Service Lecture, a platform used to proffer solutions to societal problems. Next year’s edition, by the grace of God, shall hold on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Kindly mark your calendar as we search for the right person to be the Keynote Speaker at that lecture.
”Our Nigeria of today is full of uncertainties, but we have faith that proper upbringing of children, fervent prayers for peace, goodwill, and understanding rising with hymns and carols to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, can make the difference.”
Comrade Egugbo, who is also the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Delta State, gave thanks to God for the success story of Maris Schools from inception, noting that the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, FCA, are contributing to the growth of the school in several ways.
He also thanked former Governors of Delta State, Sen. Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, for supporting Maris Schools in their own ways.
He said, “We thank our Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, FCA; our former Governors, Sen. Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan; the wife of the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Ezinne Monday Onyeme; our Spiritual Advisers, Rev. Fathers Andrew Mozia, Mark Nwoko, and John Konyeke; Malachy Okonkwo; Hon. Charles Emetulu of the Delta State House of Assembly; Dr Kenneth Olise; members of EXCOF led by Mr Sunday Edoge; Prof. Kemi Emina; Mr Monday Uwagwu; Mr Dennis Medi, Mr Stephen Nweke of Lavoski entertainment, Mr Golden Tabowei and several other persons who are supporting us in several ways.
”We thank Dr Nwokolobia for paying school fees for five persons; we shall divide the amount equally among our students and pupils who attended this term, thereby reducing their fees, even if by N1,000 for next term.
“The school fees of Maris Schools are affordable despite the fact that the standard of education is high, because we believe that we serve God by serving the people, and finance should not deprive any child of the opportunity to acquire sound education; don’t relent in supporting us as we inculcate knowledge and mould characters for a better future.”
The Maris Schools’ Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols featured many activities, including a drama presentation by the pupils and students, and the reading of the lessons by pupils, students, parents, and invited guests.
Some of those who attended the festival, which also had Father Christmas as a side attraction, include Mr Ariwojo Eze of the Department of Examination and Standards, Ministry of Education, Elder Sunny Edoge, Mr Sam Ijeh, Peter Itawansa, Patrick Nwanze, James Igbi, Uzo Uzama, Davis Ovuworie, Fidel Emeni, and Edna Emeni.
