Backpacks, Big Dreams & Bright Futures: How Hon. Igwe Aforji Obey is Lighting Up Education in Eleme

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Nwafor Oji Awala 


At Comprehensive High School, Alesa Eleme, the school bells rang with more than the usual rhythm yesterday. It wasn’t just another day of lessons—it was a day of hope, gifts, and promises of a brighter tomorrow. Students trooped in with wide eyes and wider smiles for the “Empowering Eleme’s Future” event, hosted by none other than Chief Hon. Igwe Aforji Obey PhD, the man who has steadily become a familiar face of support in Eleme’s educational journey.


In partnership with the Eleme Apex Academic Council—a proud association of PhD holders—Hon. Aforji didn’t just hand out back-to-school supplies, scholarships, and cash gifts; he handed out confidence. For many families grappling with the soaring costs of education, these gestures meant more than material relief—they meant opportunity.


As bundles of exercise books, backpacks, and writing materials changed hands, so did something intangible: the belief among students that their community leaders see them, value them, and are invested in their success.


But the day wasn’t all about gifts. It carried a deeper heartbeat: mentorship. Students listened to thought-provoking lectures, engaged in spirited debates, and shook hands with scholars who had walked the academic path they now dream of.


And here lies the gold. For a young child in Eleme, seeing someone from their soil—armed with a doctorate, guiding them with wisdom—is more than inspiration. It’s proof that their own dreams aren’t castles in the air; they are attainable. Mentorship, as the event reminded everyone, isn’t just advice. It’s a mirror of possibility.

Hon. Aforji didn’t stop at Alesa Ward 1. With a spark of determination, he pledged to take the initiative across all ten political wards of Eleme. Imagine that: a ripple effect of scholarships, mentorship, and support spreading across the entire constituency—seeding a generation of young minds that will grow into innovators, professionals, and leaders.

In his speech, Hon. Aforji reminded his people of his broader mission: ensuring that the dividends of democracy are felt in Eleme. He gave nods of gratitude to leaders like President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike CON, Minister of the FCT, for their roles in securing peace in Rivers State—a peace he believes is the foundation on which education and development can truly flourish.

The “Empowering Eleme’s Future” event wasn’t just about today’s students—it was about Eleme’s tomorrow. By blending practical support with mentorship and vision, Hon. Aforji has turned what could have been a mere donation drive into a movement for educational transformation.

And as the last bell rang at Comprehensive High School that day, one thing was certain: Eleme’s children went home not just with schoolbags, but with bigger dreams strapped on their shoulders.

Nwafor Oji Awala 

(c) Prime Heritage Magazine 

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