MOTTO: WITH LOVE, SERVE ONE ANOTHER

THE FOUNDATION

The history of Egbu Girls’ Secondary School will not be complete without a brief mention of how Christianity came to Egbu Owerri and its influence on the founding of the school.

The Christian Missionaries from England under the auspices of the Church Missionary Society (C.M.S) arrived Onitsha in the 19th Century. By 1857, they had succeeded in establishing the C.M.S church now Anglican Communion in Onitsha and decided to move inwards to Owerri.

In 1905, Bishop Tugwell, accompanied by Archdeacon Dennis, paid a visit to Eze Njemanze Iheanacho of Owerri and disclosed to him the C. M. S plan to establish the church at Owerri, and use it for centre for translating the Bible into Igbo.

Eze Njemanze however directed the Missionaries to Eze Egbukole of Egbu, who warmly welcomed them and promised to help, and to donate the land for the implementation of their projects.

Thus in 1906, Archdeacon Dennis formally opened a new C.M.S Mission Station at Egbu after which he initiated the translation of the Bible into Union Igbo.

This translation facilitated the evangelization and civilization of Egbu Town and its environs, and brought the C. M. S Mission at Egbu into prominence, as the Headquarters of Egbu, Owerri Mission under which so many C. M. S Churches in the Old Imo State and beyond were established.

Egbu became very famous as a Centre of Christian zeal and learning and produced progressively various Training Institutions for church workers, school teachers and young married and unmarried Christian women.

The Women Training Centre also had a maternity home and a big hostel. The curriculum of their education was based on elementary subjects like Writing, Bible Knowledge, Arithmetic, Needlework and Housewifery. The pioneer head of the institution was Miss Dennis, sister to the Archdeacon Dennis. Miss Hornby whom Egbu people called “Ojiugo” took over from her. The Centre later developed to a primary school for girls and was headed by a white missionary called Miss Harris.

Some other institutions were established at the same time and ran pari-passu with each other and were being transformed as the need arose.

Between 1943 – 1955, the Preliminary Training Centre (P.T. C) was established. This was a one year program where boys who passed Standard Six and wanted to become teachers were trained. The first principal was Mr. G. Iloabachie.

By 1956, the P. T. C. was replaced with Elementary Training Centre (E. T. C.) which was a two year program for Teachers for the award of Teachers Grade Three Certificate. The E. T. C. was renamed Bishop Onyeabo College (B. O. C.). The first principal of the college was M r. Samuel Okediadi.

THE BIRTH OF EGBU GIRLS’ SECONDARY SCHOOL

By 1964, the E. T. C. was upgraded to a Grade Two Teacher Training College. The first principal of the College was then Mr. M. U. Onyeagu who later was knighted as Sir. M. U. Onyeagu. Mr. C. Osuoha was the second principal.
In 1960, a Modern School for girls was established behind the All Saints Cathedral Egbu.

This was a two year course where girls who passed standard six were prepared to enable them gain admission into Teacher Training Colleges and Midwifery Institutions.

The Modern School could not satisfy the requirements of many parents who were eager to send their daughters to Girls’ Secondary Schools which would serve as a stepping stone to higher education.

There were at the time very few secondary schools in the then Eastern region to absorb the numerous girls who wanted secondary education.

Therefore, the C. M. S. Mission phased out the Modern School and used its site and the existing infrastructures to establish Egbu Girls’ Secondary School (EGSS) in 1962. In 1964, EGSS also acquired the compound of Bishop Onyeabo College when it was phased out. The secondary school population grew astronomically that it made use of all the buildings in the compound.

EGBU GIRLS’ SECONDARY SCHOOL (1962 – 1971)

The C. M. S Mission, the entire Egbu community and parents heralded the arrival of a new born all girls’ secondary school in March 1962 during the time of the Anglican Bishop of the then Diocese of Owerri, the Rt. Rev. G. E. I. Cockin.

The main objective for establishing the school was to meet the aspirations of the Anglican Communion and parents to have a Girls’ Secondary School at its Headquarters, to cater for the numerous girls who needed Secondary School education since the existing ones were far away.

The school is situated about six miles from Owerri town, and on the right hand side of Owerri/Umuahia road. The C. M. S Mission also aimed at “training its students to develop properly in body, mind and spirit, so that they could be more fitted to serve God and humanity” according to the tenets of the Anglican Church.

The school welcomed its pioneer students in March, 1962. It was a boarding school with just a negligible few as day students.

The first principal of the school was Miss Winifred Hubbard (1962 -1967). She started the school with sixty students, on a

sound, moral, religious and academic footing. The slogan/Motto was “With love serve one another.” The school anthem was:
At the back of one Cathedral

The Cathedral in Egbu
Our dear Secondary school lies like a citadel.
Labour on E. G. S. S. girls
Labour on E. G. S. S. girls
At the back of one Cathedral,
Our dear school lies.

Thanks to Mr. Ezekwesili
Our Education Secretary
Thanks to our dear Miss Hubbard
Our Principal,
Thanks to Miss Ugwuegbu, Madam Mba and Miss Ezeji.
Thanks to all Egbu People
And thanks to God!

Some of the pioneer tutorial staff were Mrs. U. Mba, Miss E. Ezeji, Miss Edna Ibe and Miss F. Ugwuegbu and a French teacher from Cameroon popularly known as “Professor Bene Deux.” Some non-tutorial staff were Mrs. R. Osuji (the Matron) and the cooks- Mrs J. Nosiri, Mrs. R. Ibezimako, Mrs Ahaibe and Mama Chukwueke.

During this period, the usual Secondary Grammar School subjects, including Mathematics, French, Biology, General Science, Domestic Science and Needle work, were taught. Miss Winifred Hubbard strove to make a wholistic human being out of every student.

During her tenure in the first two years, the buildings in the Cathedral premises were used for dinning, students’ dormitory and staff quarters while the church hall was used as the school hall.

Through her industry, dint of hard work and co-operation from Egbu Community, the first Principal’s house and a dormitory block were built in 1964, and in 1965 respectively. The ground floor of a big two storey classroom block was built by Egbu women under the leadership of Mrs. Florence Oleru.

With unalloyed support from her staff, Miss Hubbard worked up the school to the status of getting the Approval and recognition of the Ministry of Education to present the candidates for the West African Certificate Examination in February 1965.

The first batch of the students sat for the West African School Certificate Examination (W. A.S. C) in 1966. Most of the students came out in flying colours bagging Grades 1 and 11.

Miss Winifred Hubbard remained the Principal until the outbreak of the Nigerian/Biafran civil war in July 1967 when she hurriedly left the country for safety. She lost most of her belongings in the process.

Under Miss Hubbard, students were highly disciplined. Despite the fact that there were two or three unfenced compounds of the school, no student dared leave the compound, receive any visitor or even purchase anything from any hawker.

There were ‘fruit days’, Tuesdays and Saturdays, when only accredited fruit sellers would bring fruits to sell to desiring students. Of course parents were asked not to give more than fifteen shillings to their wards.

This money must be surrendered to the Form Teacher who was instructed not to give more than one shilling a week.

Every aspect of the students’ life was scheduled. There was time for everything.

The rising up bell would go by 5:30 am. early in the morning.

Immediately, every student would rush to the bathroom. The quiet time for devotion was at 6:30 am while 7.00 am was time for breakfast. Classes started at 8:00 am and by 2:00 pm, the school was over and students would return to the dormitory for lunch.

After lunch, students had the opportunity to rush to fetch water from the Otamiri River for bath the following day. One must come back before it was time for rest which was also compulsory.

The evening prep or sports or any other extra-curricular activity like debating society, was scheduled for 4:00 pm.

This would go on for about two hours. By 6:00 pm, the prep was over and students would go back to the dormitories for dinner.

After dinner, the students would go back to the classrooms for night prep. This was the time for individual reading, and working on any assignments given. Night prep was over by 10:00 pm, when students were expected to sleep till the next morning.

At every interval, the bell ringer will ring the bell which must be obeyed with utmost dispatch otherwise it would attract some punishment by either the prefect or teacher on duty depending on who caught the defaulter.

It is worthy to mention that Miss Hubbard was always on duty. She would sometimes run after the students in her tiny white car.

Punishment for defaulters ranged from fetching water for the kitchen or the prefect, to washing the toilet, cutting grass, kneeling down or writing a sentence as many times as possible. How or what was done depended on the disposition of the Authority.

As time went on, the School engaged a good number of formidable teachers.

They included Miss Edna Ibe (later Lady Edna Emezi), Mrs. Esther I. Azuike, (who later was knighted as Dame Esther I. Azuike), Miss Patience Nosiri (later Dr. Patience Nosiri), Miss Chukwueke( senior), the Home Economics/Needlework teacher, Miss Chukwueke( junior), the French teacher, Miss Ahumibe, Miss Machie, Miss Helene Okeke, Miss Okeke (Senior).

The University Degree teachers called Graduate teachers were very scarce and hard to come by and were celebrated when employed. They included our first Graduate Mathematics teacher, Miss Adline Uwalaka, Monsieur E. C. Ekeanyanwu, Mr. Timothy Nwanjo, Mr B. I. N. Osuagwu (later Dr. Sir B. I. N. Osuagwu), Mrs. Joyce Uboegbulam , Miss Joyce Mbata, (later Mrs Joyce Ononuju), and Mr. Bernard Oguzie. Almost all of them became knighted to change their titles to Sir, Dame, and Lady.

These were the Teachers before the Civil war. They worked very hard and were very proud of their products. That made them recommend the students to their relatives for marriage or even married from amongst them. Even some students found wives for their prospecting relatives.

The Egbu Community showed so much love and gave everyone good sense of belonging. Though the school was operating in large open compounds, there was no molestation of any kind as they saw it as their own. Before the outbreak of the war, the school had become an icon. Every girl wanted to go to Egbu Girls’ Secondary School.

The then Bishop of Diocese of Owerri, Rt Rev G. E. I. Cockin also left because of the civil war and was replaced by the then Rt. Rev. B. C. Nwankiti.

Rt. Rev. B. C. Nwankiti went on to become the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, (Anglican Communion) and later, the Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, and was addressed as His Grace, The Most Rev. Benjamin C. Nwankiti.

The school was managed by two Acting Principals, Miss Kumbo Ibeta and later by Mr. E. U. Amadi. Miss Ibeta did not come back to School after the war. The mantle of leadership fell on Mr. E. U. Amadi. He saw to the registration and settling down of students during the time of uncertainties after the civil war. At the end of the civil war the East Central State Government took over the management of all missions Primary and Secondary Schools in the State.

The first substantive principal after the war was Mrs. M. E. Okoronkwo. She came to the school with great enthusiasm to rebuild the battered school buildings caused by the war, but her administration was short lived.

THE MERGER (1971 – 1973)

In 1971, the school was merged with Egbu Community Comprehensive Secondary School, a co-educational school.

The school was renamed Egbu High School and the principal was Mr. E. Nwaokonko (1971-1973). This forced merger was disapproved by the majority of the people including the students of Egbu Girls’ Secondary School who wrote petitions against the merger.

At the end of civil war, Pa Nathan Ejiogu, an indigene of Egbu, was the Chairman, Public Service Commission in the then East Central State. It was during his tenure that his school, Egbu Comprehensive School, was merged with Egbu Girls’ Secondary School. The Egbu Comprehensive School was given a block opposite the Principal’s office.

This situation was one which the then EGSS Girls could not accept or manage- boys sharing their school compound with them. One day, there was confusion and pandemonium as two comprehensive senior girls fought and tore their clothes, almost stripping themselves naked while their male classmates booed and jeered. The opportunity so much sought for had come.

A student, Esther Madu, (now Ada Ikeduru), 1972 set, alongside Eunice Madu and Angelina Nwaokoro, wrote the petition to the then Bishop of Owerri Diocese, The Rt. Rev B. C. Nwankiti, who successfully intervened through the Ministry of Education.

RETURN OF EGBU GIRLS’ SECONDARY SCHOOL (1973)

The school was demerged in 1973 and it reverted to its old name, Egbu Girls’ Secondary School. A new principal, Mrs C. Uche was posted to the school. She was there from May 1973 – September 1977.

The school had a tremendous face lift during her tenure. She saw to it that the bore hole in the school compound dug during Miss Hubbard’s era was reactivated and electricity provided. She built a block of water closet toilets and brought in a giant Generator from the State Schools Management Board to provide power, completed the first floor of the Storey building which was started before the war and built a modern dormitory.

A dining hall with dwarf walls was constructed by the Parents Teachers Association (P. T. A.). The school participated actively in sports that the then Anglican Bishop of Diocese of Owerri , the former Proprietor, donated a Trophy for Inter-house Hockey competition.

Mrs. Caroline N. Osondu was the principal of the school from September 1977–September 1980. She restored discipline in the school to a large extent by imposition of suspension and expulsion from both the boarding house and the school. She also worked hard to provide amenities in the school. The school was connected to the National Electric Power Authority, the Imo State Water Board provided a powerful water pump and the P. T. A., under the chairmanship of Chief Magistrate George Egejuru, started a perimeter fencing to provide security to the Boarding House.

In September 1980, the mantle fell on Mrs. A. U. A. Ugoji. There had been growing moral decadence in the school taken over by the government. Most of the students had become day students and controlling them was difficult. The new principal, herself a product of Elelenwa Girls‘Secondary school, owned by the Anglican Communion, fought to regain sanctity in the school.

Also through savings from the boarding fees, she was able to equip the dining hall with twenty tables and forty forms to enable the boarders sit and learn table manners. The Ministry of Education provided some science equipment.

The building of the two low cost houses were started in the school compound, the Home Economics block reactivated and Hall for exhibition was also completed. The progress was cut short after one year as Mrs. Ugoji was elevated to the position of Deputy Director of schools, Owerri zone by September 1981.

Mrs. Ugoji was replaced by Mrs. P. E. Eme. Through her initiative, a dormitory that was burnt down was rebuilt by the Natural Disaster Relief Committee under the chairmanship of Chief Ugochukwu, (Eshi of Nkwerre). The P. T. A. continued with the perimeter fencing. The students were active in sports. This attracted Trophies – the Victor Ludorum Trophy by Prince Lemmy Akakem, and the Discuss Trophy by Lady Eudorah N. O. Iwuanyanwu.

Mrs. F. O. Ekpe took over the mantle on 18th September 1984. During her tenure a lot was achieved. The classroom compound got a 274 metre perimeter concrete wall fence with Iron Gate by October 1984. This was achieved with the co-operation of the then Chairman, Board of Governors, and then Eze – elect, Prince Mitchell Egbukole, and the P. T. A. under the chairmanship of Mr. D. C. Okoro. This provided the much needed security and also helped in checking and controlling the students’ movements during school hours. She reconstructed a classroom to serve as the File room and Guidance and Counseling Office, and had a house constructed for the Generator.

INTRODUCTION OF THE 6-3-3-4 SCHOOL SYSTEM (1984)

In the 1984/86 school year, the 6-3-3-4 system of Education was introduced by the Nigerian Government. With the assistance from the P. T. A., Mrs. Ekpe reconstructed and converted a classroom block to a Technical Workshop by 15th March, 1986 and had it equipped by the Ministry of Education; erected infrastructure for Livestock unit – poultry and Goat keeping; procured Home Economic Equipment and supply of water.

The Fine Arts Department became famous for its ‘Adire’ fabrics due to her patronage. During her era, the school attained the status of self-supervision in West African School Certificate Examination/ G. C. E. (O/L).

The Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination was taken for the first time between 28th September – 8th October 1987.

She also ensured that only food vendors trained by the Ministry of Health sold snacks in the school premises. She was also the principal when the Old Girls of the college celebrated their Silver Jubilee Anniversary, 6th – 8th November 1987.

The school population had increased to 1,060 (One thousand and sixty) students in 1987 with about fifty eight teachers, twenty five being degree holders while twenty four were holders of National Certificate in Education (N. C. E.). The school was blessed with some benefactors like Mr. Theophilus Ajoku who instituted an Annual prize of N100.00 (One hundred Naira) for the best Mathematics students from Form 1 – V and maintained the Approach Road to the school. Dr. Chinyere P. Nosiri donated a giant Trophy for Inter-house Sports Competition, Barr. & Mrs. E. C. Ajoku donated a modern Table Tennis while Architect G. C. Okoro and Mrs. Eunice Osuji redeemed the Trophies they had already donated.

Some principals were posted at short intervals. Mrs. Caroline Nwosu was in charge from September 1989 to August 1992 and Mrs. Monique Nwachukwu, from September 1992 to August 1994.

Mrs. Henrietta A. Anukam was in charge from October 1994 to December 2000. She worked with the P.T.A. to erect a new six classroom building for Junior Secondary (J. S), JS 1 students, staff room with toilet facilities and repaired the broken perimeter fencing.

High level of discipline was maintained which made the then Board of Governors to write a commendation letter pointing out that loitering had stopped.

Teachers became more committed to their work and boarders’ feeding improved in quality and quantity and WAEC results analysis showed a much higher percentage of passes.

Other principals that came were Dame F. C. Onyiriuka (December 2000 – October 2004) and Lady I. C. Madubuike (November 2004 – August 2011).

It is important to note that in the year 2005, Imo State Government classified Secondary schools into Junior and Senior Secondary Schools sharing the same compound but each having its autonomous principal. Thus Lolo F. C. Nwoko was there from September 2005 – August 2006, Elder Franca Nwachukwu, September, 2006 – August 2008, Lady Sabina Ejiogu, September 2008 – August 2011.

It is also important to note that the school anthem was changed during the time the school was taken over by the government. The new school anthem is:
a. The brooding nest of efficient students, the solid foundation of future leaders,
The fountain of education thou shall live long, thou shall prosper.
Hail Egbu Girls’ my darling school,
Thou shall uphold ‘With Love Serve One Another’

b. I salute those who initiated thy birth, the excellence will ever grow I pray,
I honour the noble ideals the hopes of generations yet unborn
Hail Egbu Girls’ my darling school,
Thou shall uphold ‘With Love Serve One Another’

SCHOOL RETURNED TO THE ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF EGBU

In the year 2010, the Imo State Government returned the Mission Schools to their original owners. Therefore, the Anglican Diocese of Egbu, under the Rt. Revd. Prof E. U. Iheagwam, took over the administration of the school by September 2011.

It should be noted that the wives of the Bishops who were teachers, continued to work for the development of the school. Mrs. Jane Nwankiti taught for about six years while Mrs. Ada. I. G. Iheagwam taught for about eleven years in this school under the government. The Rt. Revd. Geoffrey Okorafor took over from the Rt. Revd. Iheagwam following his retirement.

His wife, Mrs. Chioma Okoroafor presently shows a lot of interest and concern in the school. The Junior and Senior secondary schools were joined into one school.

Lady Onyekachi Basil-Nwachuku became the Principal in 2011 until her retirement in 2021. The mantle of leadership fell on Mrs.

Evelyn Ogechi Ndukwu, who became the Principal, in acting capacity, from September 2021 to date.

The school now has zero tolerance for Indiscipline as it blends Academic Excellence and High Moral standards.

The students perform very well in academics. They write the West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE), West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), NECO Senior School Certificate Examination (NECO SSCE), and Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and pass in flying colours, getting qualifying results into higher Institutions.

The students also participate in National and International Competitions.

They represented Nigeria for three consecutive years in an International Neuroscience Competition known as International Brain Bee in Australia, Denmark and Washington DC, USA in 2015, 2016 and 2017 respectively.

Unfortunately lack of sponsorship prevented their participation in 2018.

SPORTS AND EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Since the inception of the school, emphasis has always been laid on all-round development of the girl child. Apart from excellent academic performance, the students also made some remarkable strides in the field of Sports/Games.

In the 1960s, Vidah Atumonyeogo, Patience Chukwueke led by their Sports mistress, Emilia Okoli brought laurels to the school in Inter Regional Sports Competition and at Regional Festival of Arts. Miss Rufina Uba was the Africa’s Fastest Woman Sprinter.

Miss Fanny Opara also won laurels for the school. Other Sprinters who made their mark in sports during the early years of the School include, but not limited to, Nora Atumonyogo, Evelyn Odum, Christiana Ugwuegbu and Keziah Uzoho.

Also, the school has been participating actively in the Local Government Area (L.G.A.), Zonal and State’s Sports/Games competitions. The two sisters that made the school proud this period were Miss Nnenna Okoronkwo and Miss Chinwe Okoronkwo as they represented the state in many occasions at the National level.

Miss Nnenna took the 3rd position in 800m and in 4 x 100m at the All Nigeria Senior Open Athletics Championship held in Kaduna between 16th – 18th May 1985.

The Okoronkwos also participated in 1,500m and 800m races in the Under 18 years 6th National Sports Festival held at Ilorin.

The school had always created time for extra- curricular activities to enable the students invent or express their talents.

There were the literary and debating society, science club, quiz club, Scripture Union, EFAC, and later BRECAN which is a pet project of an Egbu Girls Secondary School product, Her Excellency Chief Mrs. Betty Anyanwu- Akeredolu,( Ada Emeabiam II and Ada Owerri,) the first Lady of Ondo State.

THE BIRTH OF EGBU GIRLS OLD GIRLS ASSOCIATION (EGOGA)

The last time the old Girls had a reunion was when the school celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 1987. Not many Old Students knew about it and attendance was scanty. Everybody dispersed after the Reunion. The chapter meetings almost became moribund. When the Mission School was given back to the Diocese of Egbu, Bishop Iheagwam appointed Barr. Lady Stella Amamasi, an old girl, into the Board of Governors of the School. The Chairman of the Board was Dr. Patience C. Nosiri, one of the foundation teachers of the school. The level of the dilapidation in the school was overwhelming. Obviously, help was needed from everywhere and the idea of reorganizing the Old Girls Association started burning.

The Original Administrators of Our Platforms were:
Barr. Lady Stella Amamasi, nee Agu
Mrs. Ijeoma Enekwa, nee Egbunine (Coordinator)
Mrs. Daisy Sams-Uchegbu Eke
Mrs. Chiaka Mogaha, nee Obichere
Mrs. Ugonma Cokey, nee Okoronkwo
Chioma Amadi
Mrs. Ndidi Albert-Oguara, nee Njoku
Mrs. Chika Ibe, nee Abengowe
These members handled the affairs of the Association until the Global Reunion of 2019 during which election of officers was held.

THE 2019 GLOBAL REUNION

As the membership of the new Association began to grow, there were calls from members to organize a Global Reunion. Consequently, the Maiden Global Reunion of EGOGA became a reality and was held from December 19th – 22nd 2019. The Reunion was a huge success and afforded sisters the opportunity of reuniting with friends after a very long time.

CONCLUSION

Thank God for the vision of the founders of the school. Since inception, the school has produced great women – degree holders, medical doctors, Ph.D. holders, lawyers, Judges, engineers, journalists of high repute, all professionals, successful business women both at home and in diaspora. The school has positively surpassed the wishes of her founders and is still waxing strong to the glory of God.

MEMBERS OF THE HISTORY WRITING COMMITTEE

Vidah Atumonyego Egbudiwe – Chairman
Eunice Azuike Nwelue – Vice Chairman
Comfort Ihenacho Nwamuo– 2nd Vice Chairman
Lilian Ekeonugha Nkwoada – Secretary
Chidinma Ngwaba Okeogu – Assistant Secretary
Edith Ihemedu Chikwere
Stella Agu Amamasi
Rhoda Nwigwe Osigwe
Nmaku Nnawuchi Odu Obi
Edna Nwimo
Ngozi Ibezim
Ekeoma Njiribeako Ekeoma
Augusta Iwunze Ohiri
Vida Nworie Diogu
Irene Iwuagwu Duru
Mabel Ugwuoke Chukwu