Over N3 billion is required to restore Government College, Umuahia, to its former glory, the Coordinator of the school’s Old Boys Association, Dr. Eugene Ibe has said

Ibe made the assertion in Port Harcourt at a brief handing over of a donation of N100, 000 by a former student, Dr. Gabriel Okara, a famous poet, for the rehabilitation of the school.

He said that the old boys decided to take over the management of the college due to its deplorable condition.

According to him, the college, which was founded in 1929, had experienced a high level of dilapidation that had warranted the intervention of the old boys.

Ibe said that the association had over the years made several efforts to get the Abia Government to undertake rehabilitation of the college without success.

The coordinator said that when the government decided to hand over some missionary schools, the old boys association took over the college to stop the continued decay of infrastructure.

He said the college was one among the prestigious schools in the country between 1930s and 1970s and had produced important personalities in Nigeria.

Ibe commended the poet for the donation toward reviving the college and prayed that God would replenish his pocket.

The coordinator said that Okara at the age of 94 could have just forgotten everything about the college, but that he had donated his token because of the deep love for the institution.

In his remarks, the nonagenarian said he was moved to make the donation to the college because of the love he had for it.

The poet said that it was not about the money but was inspired by what the college had contributed into his life which had made him what he is today.

An alumnus, Dr. Dodoiyi Lolomari, a former NNPC Group Managing Director, eulogised Okara and commended him for the donation.

He called on other members to emulate the great poet for his magnanimity in a bid to restore the college to its former glory. (NAN)

•Photo shows Govt. College Umuahia