History of Our Alma Mater

The Story Behind the Journey

EGHOSA ANGLICAN GRAMMAR SCHOOL: Historical Background
By Prince Ekpenriebe Akenzua
In a rare show of patriotism and love for father land, Mr. Osaze Igbinokpogie sought to expand the educational frontiers of his Benin race. He therefore requested and obtained the necessary permit to set up a school to provide secondary education to the increasing number of children of Benin origin seeking post primary education. With the support and encouragement from Oba Akenzua II, CMG the Oba of Benin, Mr. Igbinokpogie acquired a large parcel of land in Uselu area of the then Benin Division. In 1958 he established an all male secondary school and named it ADOLOR COLLEGE.
From a modest beginning, and the uncommon commitment and dedication of the proprietor, the first set of students commenced studies with pleasure and diligence. However, funding soon became a challenge to Mr. Igbinokpogie. In order not to close down the school soon after its commencement, he transferred ownership to the Anglican Mission after due negotiations and payment of compensation.
With this acquisition, the name of the school promptly changed to EGHOSA ANGLICAN GRAMMAR SCHOOL, reflecting the new ownership status. The Anglican Mission invested heavily in the development of the school’s infrastructure as well as staff development. In 1963, Eghosa Anglican Grammar School presented its first set of students for the West African School Certificate (WASC) examination with strong showing. This resulted in the exponential growth in student population. From a one arm per class structure, it became a three-arm per class level to accommodate the increasing number of pupils from within and outside Benin City. Eghosa has become the education destination for parents and primary school leavers alike. Today, graduates of Eghosa Anglican Grammar School excel in various fields of endeavor, be it government, Medicine, Engineering, Management, the Academia, Administration, Military, etc.
In tandem with the Platonic maxim of balance between academic training and sports, the Anglican Mission and the administrators of the schools did not neglect sports development. While excelling gloriously in academics, the students of Eghosa also soared high in sports during the annual athletics events such as the AAA, Grier Powell Cup, Sir and Lady Manuwa Cup, etc with the likes of Godwin Obasogie (Bob Linger), Harry Osagie (Harry Bestman), Ikubo (Kabaka) Osabuese, Festus Eweka, Sunday Ogbomo, etc bearing the school’s banner.
Similarly, the performance of the school in football was superlative. It supplied players on a regular basis to the Midwest State academicals as well as Nigeria academicals. The crowning point of the school’s football prowess came in 1972 when it won the Principal’s Cup with Monday Otabor as Captain. Other members of that magnificent squad include John Obaseki, George Omokaro, Michael Odiase, Chester Enehizena, O’Rice Osadebay, , Okuoghae, Anthony Oviawe, Sylvanus Orhiakhi, Patrick Oronsaye, Solomon Etoroma (Zapata), Elvis Idahor, etc. It was ecstatic. Before this period, other football greats from the school include John Ewansiha (Joe Trigger), Napoleon Asoro, Friday Otuomoagie (Jack Brook), Edokpolor among others.
The fortune of the school was to take a dip when the administration of Prof. Ambrose Alli (1979-1983) in Bendel State compulsorily took over all schools in the state from Missionaries. Eghosa Anglican Grammar School now became Eghosa Grammar School. There was a sudden upsurge in students’ population. This stretched the school’s facilities to the limits. Government could not maintain existing facilities nor build or acquire new ones. Teaching and learning became a nightmare. The center could no longer hold and the down ward spiral became unstoppable.
The old students of Eghosa decried this ugly situation and rallied to the rescue of their cherished alma mater. Individually and collectively through the different branches of Eghosa Old Boys Association, EGHOBA they have put resources together to renovate and rehabilitate the school.
In 2004, the Government of Edo State under Governor Lucky Igbinedion endorsed the policy to return mission schools to the original owners after years of neglect and poor funding. Consequently, Eghosa Grammar School was returned to the Anglican Mission and the name reverted to Eghosa Anglican Grammar School. The process of reestablishing the old values and academic standard started with the phasing out of the students inherited from the government system. New students were then admitted into class one (JS1) to begin a new generation of students. It was déjà vu all over. A new chapter in the history of Eghosa Anglican Grammar School began in 2004. We must all continue to nurture our alma mater.