Onicha Amairi USA Inc Boosts Primary Education with N50m Investment

Tony Icheku

Despite living in the United States, thousands of kilometres away from Nigeria, members of Onicha Amairi USA Inc, a U.S.-based non-profit organisation, remain passionately tied and committed to the well-being of their kinsmen in Onicha Ezi-East, Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA of Imo.
Though they are also members of the larger, development-oriented Mbaise USA, which is a forum for all Mbaise sons and daughters in the USA, the founders of Onicha Amairi USA Inc believe they could fast-track socio-economic development efforts to the four Onicha Amairi autonomous communities through their joint efforts
So far, they have matched action to their vision. In nearly three years of its existence, they have executed projects worth over N81 million, with more in the pipeline.
Early January 2025, the executives and some members of the association were in Umueleagwa Onicha-Amairi for the inauguration and handover to the government of a N50 million project at St. Dominic’s Primary School, Umuelegwa, a primary school that is over 100 years old and whose past pupils reads like a list of who is who in Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA.
The project comprised a headmaster’s office and renovated 2,000-capacity school hall, which was given a complete turn-around and now looks as good as brand new. Portions of the hall have been partitioned into four fully fitted classrooms. Four-room water cistern toilets, the first in the school’s history, were also provided for the pupils.
Lady Theodora Ihejirika, chair of Onicha Amairi USA Inc’s Project Implementation Committee, told THISDAY that the initial vision which motivated the setting up of the association was to rehabilitate all primary school classrooms or build new ones in the four autonomous communities of Onicha-Amairi.
“From our findings, we discovered that the infrastructure at public primary schools was gradually and steadily falling into disrepair and no longer conducive to a learning environment for our young children. Secondary schools often witness interventions from their alumni associations, but not so for primary schools. Therefore, we took up the challenge of renovating these facilities and providing additional facilities like toilets, which these schools do not have.
“Barely a year after coming into existence, we mobilised funds to the tune of N29 million and rehabilitated classrooms at Onicha Combined Primary School by Ekeoha Market. The association also made a donation of N8 million on behalf of the four Onicha Amairi Autonomous Communities for the Ezi-East electrification project, and the St. Dominic’s Primary School project is our third project,” she said.
Speaking during the official handover ceremony of the project, Onicha Amairi USA Inc’s President, Hon. Chidi Ahaghotu, said they are single-minded about contributing to the development of their communities, and their commitment has made them the envy of similar associations in Mbaise and elsewhere.
“We founded Onicha-Amairi USA Inc. to enhance the development of our communities, which are not progressing in a rapidly changing world. Education is very important, and we have chosen to start from the basics, primary schools, and it is a thing of joy we are able to successfully complete this project within the stipulated time,” Ahaghotu stated.
He commended Engr Louis Ohanaga, who, though he is only an in-law to the community, shows 100 per cent support and financial commitment to the projects executed so far.
Also, Ahaghotu appealed to the parents to urge their sons and daughters in the USA to join forces with Onicha-Amairi USA Inc., noting that its membership is less than half of USA-based Onicha-Amairi sons and daughters.
In her remarks, Mrs E C Nwaguma, the Education Secretary for Ezinihitte Local Government Educational Authority, applauded the association for “remembering that education for all is the responsibility for all. The government will continue to welcome similar features from well-meaning people of this LGA and state in the future.”
The school’s headmaster, Paul Nwagwu, noted that the school’s history would not be complete without the association’s philanthropic, memorable and charitable works, which have transformed the school into a centre of excellence.
Ohanaga urged the school management and community to maintain the facility and ensure it does not fall into disrepair. He further commended the association for putting the funds mobilised for the project to the purpose it was meant for.
St. Dominic’s Primary School Umuelegwa, Onicha, popularly known as St Dom, is a primary school, worship, and sporting centre where the entire Ezi-East converge to celebrate religious festivities.

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