By Ovat Abeng
Godwin and Patricia Okeke Foundation (GPOF) has donated dormitory and classroom blocks, to Special Secondary School for the Deaf in Odoakpu-Onitsha, Anambra State.
The Foundation is owned by the Anambra State born transport mogul and the founder of GUO Motors, Sir Godwin Okeke.
Speaking to journalists shortly after handing over of the building to the School management on Sunday in Onitsha, Sir Okeke said the gesture was his way of giving the needy in the society, a sense of belonging and to enable the students to have access to quality education.
According to him, “I, my wife and my children took it upon ourselves to invest in the less-privileged and people with special needs by building this dormitory and classroom blocks for conducive learning.
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“As also part of celebrating my 75th birthday and my wife’s 70th birthday, we both decided to built and donate this edifice to the school, owned by the Diocese on the Niger (Anglican Communion) Onitsha to encouraged them.
“We did this work just to encourage other well-to- do in society to come out and invest in the less privilege, particularly, for people with disabilities living among them.
“We are happy doing this and will continue to do this, hoping that God is the one that will pay us back. In marking our birthday, we decided to build this edifice just to assist people with disabilities.
“I have also given out over N30 million in cash to the less-privileged and the elderly, yet we are ready to do more. And I, my wife and my children are doing all this to tell the world that such ones need help and let the rich start assisting the poor and the people in need.”
While commending Rt. Rev. Dr Owen Nwokolo, Bishop on the Niger (Anglican Communion) and the Chief Executive Officer of Dozzy Oil, Chief Daniel Chukwudozie, the GUO boss, noted that alongside his wife, Patricia, both with the support of their children have been helping the vulnerable people in and outside Anambra State for the past 10 years.
In her address, the Principle of the School, Ify Felicia Agu, while appreciating the benefactor for the kind gesture, said the structure equipped with learning facilities is for boys and girls respectively.
She also noted that a set of sewing machines for practical training, renovation of classroom and office block, payment of incentive of N30,000 as motivation for the entire staff of the school and compilation of SSCE (WAEC) for the year 2023 were part of the official commissioning of the edifice.
It was gathered that the School was established in 1860 and a Thanksgiving service was also held in celebration of the benefactor, Okeke and his wife’s birthday at All Saint Cathedral Onitsha.
