Education
Parents Of OLM Decries Outrageous School Fees, Electricity bill, Diesel Bills
Story By, Elvis Omoregie Benin
Concerned Parents of Our Lady of Mercy, (OLM) Nursery/Primary School, Benin, on Monday, protested the outrageous levies imposed on them by the school Management.
The protesters, clad in black, brandished placards of various inscriptions which include “Our Lady of Mercy not a business empire, no PTA levy, Helen must go, Rev. Omede is presiding over a board that he is not in control of, the board must be desolved and reconstituted”
Spokesperson for the group and chairman, Parent Teacher Association, OLM, Mr. Adorolo Michael Osikhena while addressing newsmen in Benin City, said the inclusion of electricity bill, and the payment of the sum of N700 for the purchase of diesel to run the school is not the duty of the parents but that of the management of the school.
He said they have paid their children school feels and other sundry but more worrisome was the inclusion of electricity bill, and the payment of the sum of N700 for the purchase of diesel to run the school.
“We are made to pay outstanding fees that is not there, we pay for Home Economic practical, music practical, library and all these are not there. You know that taken money on false pretense is criminal.
“There have been a lot of criminal activities going on in that school. The management of the school are not concerned.
“Father Michael Oyanofo, the chancellor of the school, did say even though the school was set up for the purpose of educating children, it is more or less a profit organization than any other thing and that is why I am saying that if it is buying and selling that is involved in that school and if you make profit and you do not share it with the parents and if you are at loss, you do not need to tell the parents to come and pay”, he said
Adorolo also decried the high number of subjects being taught in the school when compelled to other schools being run by the same Catholic church.
“21 subjects for the children are too much. The maximum allowed by the ministry of Education is 9 for public schools while having sampled some private schools around, the highest we got was 15. OLM is a Catholic school, Sacred Heart is Catholic School, Brother Pius is a Catholic School, headed by the same Sisters of Sacred Heart but they are offering 15 subjects”, he said.
The PTA chairman added that for the school to maintain its pride of place among the schools being owned by the missionary in the state, the church should dissolve its board and reconstitute it.
Another parent, Mr. Obose Nkem, said the fight started when the said Helen was demanding for outstanding fees from the parents which they kicked against.
According to him “They said like my two kids, one in kg 2 and the other in kg 3. The one in kg 3, the outstanding is N850 while the one in kg 2, the outstanding is N250.
“We told them we cannot pay it because we do not know the reason for it. It will please you to know that on the said vacation day, they were refunding money to us? I am owing outstanding and you want to refund N750 to me for what? I rejected the money”.
The parents unanimously called for the removal of the Headmistress of the school, Rev. Sister Helen Ilekhuojie for an alleged highhandedness.
However, an attempt to get the views of the said Helen Ilekhuojie was unsuccessful as several calls made to her phone left unanswered.
Education
From Rejection to Record-Breaker: LASU’s Best Graduating Student Thought She Had Failed in Life
From Rejection to Record-Breaker: LASU’s Best Graduating Student Thought She Had Failed in Life
In an inspiring twist of fate, Miss Isioma Nwosu, who once believed she had failed in life after missing out on her dream course, emerged as the Overall Best Graduating Student of Lagos State University (LASU) for the 2023/2024 academic session with an astounding CGPA of 4.93.
Nwosu, a graduate of Biochemistry, captivated the audience with her moving valedictory speech at LASU’s 28th Convocation Ceremony, held at the university’s main campus in Ojo.
“I thought I had failed in life,” she confessed, recounting the heartbreak of not gaining admission to study Medicine and Surgery—her lifelong ambition.
After finishing secondary school as her set’s valedictorian in 2019, Nwosu faced a major blow: she scored just two points below the cut-off mark to study Medicine at the University of Ibadan. The setback forced her to retake UTME, a decision she said left her humiliated and defeated.
“A valedictorian writing UTME again? It was a bitter pill to swallow,” she recalled.
When she eventually reapplied to study Medicine and Surgery—this time at LASU—fate again dealt her a curveball. She was offered Biochemistry, a course she admitted she had “never heard of” until that moment.
“My heart broke a second time. I couldn’t embrace the course at first,” she said.
But through perseverance, and the encouragement of her lecturers and friends, Isioma not only embraced Biochemistry—she excelled beyond all expectations, finishing top of a graduating class of 11,917 students.
“Dreams Can Be Delayed, Not Denied”
In a stirring message to fellow graduates and aspiring students, Nwosu urged young people not to abandon their dreams in the face of rejection or redirection.
“Never be afraid of having big dreams. Your dreams are the seeds of greatness. You are resilient, capable, and prepared for the future,” she said.
She also stressed the importance of surrounding oneself with “friends of value, vision, and ambition.”
VC Urges Graduates to Shape Their Legacy
In her address, LASU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, praised the class of 2023/2024, reminding them that they hold the pen to write the next chapter of their lives.
“You’ve demonstrated excellence in both character and learning. Now use that knowledge to drive meaningful change,” she charged.
The university awarded diplomas, degrees, and certificates across various disciplines, celebrating not just academic success but stories of resilience and transformation—none more powerful than that of Isioma Nwosu, who turned disappointment into distinction.
Meet Eniola Olushola, the newest MSc sociologist from the University of Oye Ekiti
~By Oluwaseun Fabiyi
Eniola Olushola’s career journey demonstrates the impact of ongoing education and deliberate self-improvement in meeting the constantly changing requirements of the modern industry
Eniola has consistently proven his ability to deliver innovative solutions and drive impactful change through a unique blend of humanitarian expertise and executive leadership training
Eniola Olushola began his academic pursuits with a bachelor’s degree from a prestigious university in Nigeria and later earned a master’s degree in sociology from the Federal University of Oye, Ekiti, driven by a growing interest in sustainability and environmental stewardship
The accomplishment bolstered his expertise in addressing multifaceted humanitarian and environmental issues within industrial settings, firmly establishing him as a leading authority in his field of expertise
Eniola Olushola has demonstrated a consistent commitment to self-advancement, recognizing the essential function of leadership in navigating the complexities of today’s fast-paced business landscape and humanitarian issues, and has acquired the necessary expertise to effectively cater to the changing needs in Nigeria and Africa
Additionally, his outstanding leadership is unmatched and his contribution to society is significantly substantial to be overlooked
Eniola Olushola has emerged as a leader with a deep understanding of African resourcefulness needs and the ability to drive innovation, foster growth, and lead with purpose through his transformative experiences in a highly competitive global environment
Eniola Olushola’s relentless pursuit of education demonstrates his dedication to amplifying his positive influence on our society. Through ongoing upskilling, he has empowered himself to address evolving business needs with ease
His acumen in top-tier programs reflects his commitment to balancing academic rigor with practical leadership
Eniola Olushola has achieved something remarkable at the academy and really deserves big congratulations.
Oluwaseun Fabiyi a seasoned journalist writes from Lagos.
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