Following an alleged plan to change the original names of hostels in Enitonna High School, Borikiri, Port Harcourt to bear the names of some prominent Rivers indigenes like the state Governor, Nyesom Wike, the old students association has opposed the names change.
According to the association, the reasons of raising funds for Inter house sports do not justify the names change, which they say could have serious consequences for the school.
In a statement issued on Monday, the association said: “the original names of these hostels have historical antecedents and attachments with the School, adding that the Founder of the School, the Late Rev. Lionel Randall Potts Johnson’s name cannot be compromised on the alter of trying to raise funds for Inter House Sports.
The statement signed by its President, Great Eniton Arc. Ipalibo West, condemned in its entirety any attempt to take such actions without consulting and liasing with the Alumni Association, EHSOSA, which is a major stakeholder in the sustenance and development of the school.
The statement reads; “Today, being Monday, 16th January 2023, I received an information from the Secretary General of EHSOSA, Great Eniton Tammy Abraham, a very serious information on plans by the management of our dear alma mater, EHS to change the original names of the hostels, with a view to raising funds for their forthcoming Inter House Sports.
“On getting this very unsavoury information, the EHSOSA President, Great Eniton Arc. Ipalibo West in conjunction with some exco members sent emissaries to confirm the authenticity of this very worrisome information.
“As an exco, we also contacted some EHSOSA elders and very senior and eminent legal professionals on this issue.
“Consequently, based on the advise given, we have resolved as follows:
1. A letter will be written to the junior and senior sections of the school to stop forthwith any such attempts as the original names of these hostels have historical antecedents and attachments with the School. For instance, the Founder of the School, the Late Rev. Lionel Randall Potts Johnson’s name cannot be compromised on the alter of trying to raise funds for inter house sports.
2. Great Enitons have had and is still having affinities and strong emotional attachments to these houses which they belonged to as students of EHS. This was recently demonstrated when we fought for the harmonisation of the EHS school uniform and stopping of a previous government’s attempt to cede ownership of the School to missionaries.
3. Rather than changing the original names of these hostels for reasons of raising funds for Inter House Sports, the school authorities can create additional hostels to name after their expected or prospective sponsors for their inter house sports.
4. We shall investigate thoroughly and keep the school authorities on notice and take appropriate administrative and legal steps to stop these actions if proven to be true, by prevailing on the Rivers State Government and all relevant authorities to call the management of the school to order.
5. Great Enitons and especially our legal professionals are called upon to advise on further positive lines of actions on this matter.
6. We condemn in its entirety any attempt to take such actions without consulting and liasing with the Alumni Association, EHSOSA, which is a major stakeholder in the sustenance and development of Enitonna High School, Borikiri, PH, as examplified in the execution and commissioning of landmark projects during the recent EHS 90TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION.
