DESOPADEC Takes “School Is No Scam” Campaign To Umutu, Umuaja

By Ejememo Enoch Igho

The Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Wednesday, 30th September, 2026 took the monthly Public Enlightenment campaign themed, “School is no scam,” anchored by the Department of Community Development and Public Enlightenment, to Umutu mixed Secondary School and Umuaja Secondary School, in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State.

In her opening address, the Head of Department of Community Development and Public Enlightenment, CD&PE, Mrs. Chinenye Ezonfade, said DESOPADEC embarked on the campaign to disabuse the minds of the Students from the notion that School is a Scam; to enlighten them on the effects of drug abuse and cultism and also to urge them to pay attention and gain knowledge that will guide them, enjoining them to also pass such information to their peers in the society.

“We hope that the knowledge you shall gain here today will guide you in your journey of life in a positive direction,” she said.

She then commended the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and the Board of DESOPADEC, led by the Chairman, Chief John Obukokwho Nani and the Managing Director/ CEO, Chief Festus Ochonogor for their continued support for the laudable program that has traversed so many schools in the oil producing communities and aiming to do more.

She said the program aside the enlightenment campaign, was packaged to include debate among the participants for and against the theme, “School is no scam” with the debaters going home with various prizes.

Earlier, the visibly elated Principal, of Umutu mixed Secondary School, Mrs. All Ifeoma Angela Ogonegbu had welcomed the DESOPADEC team and noted that the program was timely and commendable, thanking the Board of DESOPADEC for choosing the schools to benefit from the informative and educative objectives of the campaign.

Urging the participating Students to use the opportunity judiciously to gain knowledge that shall be beneficial to them in life, she also reminded those who were representing their various schools in the debate not to look at the competition as a do or die affair but an exchange of knowledge, knowing that in competition, there is always a winner and a loser.

“You must not show any form of bitterness when you lose or win,” she said.

Mrs. Ogonegbu, also used the opportunity to appeal to the Commission to intervene in the provision of Chairs and Desks to Umutu mixed Secondary school, saying that the school lacks Chairs and Desks.

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The Member representing Ukwuani ethnic nationality on the Board of DESOPADEC, Surv. Azuka Enebeli, who was ably represented by his Personal Assistant, PA, Engr. Harry Nwachukwu commended the school authority for the well organized reception and necessary arrangements for the program to hold in the school

Acknowledging that the Member, Surv. Enebeli, an old Student of both Umutu mixed Secondary school and Umuaja Secondary school, was interested in making sure that he did his best to attend to the needs of the schools.

The well organized and attended Enlightenment campaign featured various speakers including Miss Honeywell Eburajolo of the Department of CD & PE who dwelt on the positive impact of school is no scam, urging the students to be positive about their education and studies.

The other speaker, Mr. James Adjevabor dramatized the effects of drug abuse and cultism, on students and youth in the society, cautioning them to avoid cultism and guide against the use of substance.

Highpoint of the ceremony was the competitive debate between the students of Umutu mixed Secondary school and Umuaja Secondary school with ,Umuaja Secondary School, carting away the 1st and 2nd prizes, while Umutu mixed Secondary School got 3rd and 4th prizes.

The well attended ceremony was witnessed by many invited guests, staff of the schools and DESOPADEC including Mr. Afe Robinson Orumohi , Divisional Head, Community Development; Mrs. Etume Okeoghene, Divisional Head, Public Enlightenment; Mr. Uche Ozue, Coordinator Obiaruku area office, DESOPADEC; Mr. Adibor .F., Principal Umuaja Secondary School; Mr. Igbe. A, English teacher, Umuaja Secondary School amongst others.