A Philanthropist and Entrepreneur, Dr Paul Erinne, has donated N250million towards the infrastructural development of his alma mater, the Government Secondary School (GSS) Afikpo, Ebonyi state.
Erinne, a 1967 entrant of the school made the disclosure at the institution, during the 2026 Delegates Conference of its Old Boys Association, noting that the future of the students was worth adequate investment.
The renowned Engineer said that the donation was his own contribution towards providing an enabling environment for the students and staff to achieve academic excellence.
“I am remodelling the school’s assembly hall project to encourage our children and grandchildren to succeed through this institution.
“We need to inculcate discipline into them as it remains the only way to success.”
He noted that the donation reflects a deeply personal obligation to the school which laid the foundation for his personal and professional achievements.
“GSS Afikpo gave me and countless others the tools to succeed and It is right we give back in a manner that endures for generations.
“I advise the principal and contractor handling the project to judiciously utilise the funds and ensure that the facility is protected for intended purposes in the interest of the student.”
Chief Ifeanyi Eleje, Past National Chairman of the school’s old boys association, said he conceived the school assembly hall and pavilion projects to serve as a legacy to his “endearing” two tenures in office.
Eleje said that he contacted some prominennt old boys on the need to actualise the project and they keyed into the vision.
“I contacted Dr Erinne, a fellow 1967 entrant of the institution and he decided to singularly remodel the school’s Asembly hall project.
“I advised him to visit the school to make adequate evaluation as a renowned structural engineer.
“He visited the school and made critical observations which increased the scope of the project.”
He noted that after the observataions which necessitated expansion, the project cost rose from N100milion to N250million
“Erinne in his wisdom, however decided to leave some aspect of the project for other old boys to contribute in its actualisation.”
Dr Bobbie Iwe, the incumbent National President of the association said the projects signalled the commencement of one of the most significant alumni-driven, educational infrastructural endeavours in South-East Nigeria.
“This project is about more than bricks and mortar but a statement of gratitude to an institution that shaped generations of leaders.”
Mr Ogbonnia Nwachi, the Principal of the school thanked the old boys for the intervention and pledged to ensure the effective utilisation of the project funds.”
