The Unity Chapter of the Edgerley Old Girls’ Association has launched a solar-powered lighting project at Edgerley Memorial Girls Secondary School in Calabar, aiming to improve night-time learning and create a safer environment for students.
The initiative, unveiled during the “Night of Excellence and Empowerment” in Abuja, demonstrates how alumni can complement government efforts in advancing Nigeria’s education sector.
The project addresses longstanding challenges at the school, where inadequate lighting had previously limited study hours and compromised student safety.
Alumni, some of whom graduated as far back as the 1970s, took the initiative to install solar-powered lights across the campus to enhance learning conditions and protect students.
The President of the Edgerley Old Girls’ Association – Unity Chapter, Atim Ejike said the project was inspired by the school’s motto, “Not for school, but for life.” She added, “We visited the school last December and found it in darkness. We knew something had to be done.”
Similarly, Vice President Mrs Egan Okon-Effiong stressed that while government efforts in education continue, individuals and associations must complement them with initiatives that improve discipline and overall student performance.
The school principal, Ekei Duke said the project’s impact would be immediate and profound, enhancing academic engagement and output.
“Edgerley Memorial Girls Secondary School will be lighted up with solar lights, and the entire environment will be illuminated. This will increase the learning abilities of the girls and encourage goal attainment and achievement. They will no longer reduce their prep period to one hour; we can now extend it to two or three hours because everywhere will be lit,” he said.
The alumni’s support extends beyond lighting, with past projects including library renovation, dormitory construction, sanitary towel distribution, book donations, and empowerment programmes for students and staff.
The Unity Chapter says it remains committed to fostering sustained, community-driven support to bridge gaps where government resources fall short.
Stakeholders at the event, including representatives of the Minister of Trade and Industry, senators, and security officials, praised the alumni for modelling civic engagement, noting that such initiatives are essential to creating disciplined and productive learning environments alongside ongoing government efforts.
PIAK