In year 2000, most secondary schools in Bonny lacked teachers and there was an embargo on recruitment of teachers by the Rivers State Government. Bonny National Grammar School was the worst hit, besides Government Girls Secondary School and Community Secondary School, Bonny.
Amaopusenibo Hon. Rodaford Longjohn recruited I and other young graduates as part-time teachers. I was assigned to Bonny National Grammar School to teach Biology to SS1, SS2 and SS3 students at the time. He paid us a stipend of N5,000 and later increased it to N10,000.
Before we started the programme, the students mostly studied on their own and there were many out-of school students. This was to change with the onset of this initiative, which was hatched as I heard by the principals of the public schools in Bonny and approved by him.
I prepared the year 2000 final year set for their SSCE Biology practicals and examination. Some of my students and products of that initiative are Tamunosa Wilcox, Dr. Abarasi Abbey-Hart, Iboroma Alawari, Canon Rogers Jumbo, Engr. Awoiyeala Allison, Emmanuel Hart, Timothy, and a host of others.
Recently, something happened when I went to Akiama junction to print and make copies of a document last Wednesday. At the end of the job, I paid but the owner of the computer accessories shop and business center declined to receive the payment.
When I asked him why, he said I was his Biology teacher in secondary school. He was in the 2002 set. I was grateful and happy that he was doing well in life. He is from Akwa Ibom State. I can’t recall his name now.
Amaopusenibo Hon. Rodaford Longjohn contributed immensely to the advancement of education in Bonny LGA. The programme continued for years until the embargo was lifted by the state government.
This is how I remember Amaopusenibo Hon. Rodaford Longjohn. I will go out on Saturday to honour this Beacon of education who gave me my first job post NYSC.
Opuaya Wilcox (nee Benstowe), a banker, financial services professional and leadership coach, who was part of the Rodaford Longjohn’s education intervention in Bonny LGA during his time as Chairman of the LGA, wrote in this article from Bonny Island as a tribute to the late politician.
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I don’t know who you are but certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!