The former Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, has called on Nigerians in the elite class to develop a culture of philanthropy, giving back to the society once they have secured their own prosperity.
Ex-Governor Duke made the call while delivering a keynote address as the Guest Speaker at the 5th Amaka Ndoma-Egba Memorial Lecture, held in Abuja and organised by Start-Rite Schools in collaboration with the Victor & Amaka Ndoma-Egba Foundation (VANEF) with the theme, “Beyond Boundaries – Building Resilient Communities For Tomorrow”.
He noted that no one would leave this world with whatever they may have earned or acquired, hence the need to give back and make positive impact on the lives of others.
“Most societies in the world have been built not necessarily by government. But by those private individuals who have made it and are giving back. And this is what Amaka Ndoma-Egba has done.
“If each and every one of us in the elite class in Nigeria can give back something to those outside our immediate family, we will be a great nation,” Duke said.
The former governor who extolled the virtues of the late Amaka Ndoma-Egba, founder of Start-Rite Schools, admonished the students to remain focussed and make the best use of their time, while asking them to see life in three stages.
“There are three stages in life. The first stage is the first 25 years. That is the stage of learning. You learn and absorb all you can, get all the information and knowledge. The next 25 is when you earn as much as you can. That takes you to 50 years. And from 50 years you give as much as you can more than you expect. That is giving back.”
The Chairman of the occasion, Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, represented by Dr. Clifford Ogbede, the Executive Director, Natural Resources, Agricultural and Rural Development in the South East Development Commission (SEDC), in his opening remark, charged leaders, educators, policymakers and parents, to strive to create systems and build communities that are inclusive, innovative and future-ready, stating that “Resilience is not accidental, it is built through values, vision and intentional investment in people.”
Noting that the late Start-Rite Founder embodied a rare blend of discipline, compassion, and unwavering belief in the transformative power of education, the Deputy Speaker, said: “Mrs Ndoma-Egba’s work reminds us that transformative progress happens when we dare to reimagine what is possible and then take bold action to make it real. Similarly, building resilient communities requires more than infrastructure or policy frameworks. It demands character, empathy, unity and a shared commitment to the common good. In a world of rapid technological, economic and social shifts, resilience is the currency of survival. She understood this and she built a school that not only teaches but shapes citizens who can navigate uncertainty and live with purpose. That is the kind of community that ensures tomorrow is stronger than today.”
Speaking at the event, the Advisory Board Chairman of Start-Rite Schools, Senator Ndoma-Egba who is also the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman Governing Council of Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), remarked: “For the records, the Amaka Ndoma-Egba Memorial Lecture is more than a commemoration. It is a hub for ideas, a marketplace of knowledge, and a platform where the experience of today’s leaders meets the aspirations of tomorrow’s generation. Start-Rite Schools, with its motto, Securing the Future, provides young minds with the opportunity to engage with visionaries, learn from exemplary leaders, and cultivate the mindset needed to lead with integrity, creativity, and impact.”
While welcoming guests to the occasion, the Principal of Start-Rite Schools, Mr. Femi Akinlade, averred that five years after the death of the Founder, the school has continued to grow stronger with the guidance of the Board led by her husband, Senator Ndoma-Egba.
“After her untimely passing on 19th of November, 2020, the formation of an Advisory Board, Chaired by her husband, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, OFR, SAN, CON, LLD brought seasoned guidance and strategic direction, giving us stability as we charted the next chapter without our founder.
“In just five years, we have recorded a 77 % increase in students. Our classrooms are fuller, our corridors buzz with fresh ideas, and the diversity of talent we now nurture is a testament to the inclusive spirit our founder championed,” Akinlade declared.
Chairman of VANEF, Mr. Joseph Oru, in his speech said the Foundation was established five years ago with the support of Senator Ndoma-Egba, to sustain the values his late wife stood for in the promotion of education and community development.
Other distinguished personalities and eminent Nigerians at the memorial lecture were former Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyeken, Auxiliary Bishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Dr. Anselm Umoren, erstwhile Governor of Edo State, Senator Oserheimen Osunbor, former Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi, Senators Nicholas Ugbane, Mathew Mbu and Musa Adede, Hon Victor Abang, ex-Ministers of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo, and his wife, Justice Folashade Ojo of the Court of Appeal, Vice Chancellor (VC) of Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, FUOYE outgoing VC, Professor Abayomi Sunday, FUOYE VC-designate, Professor Joshua Ogunwole, and some members of FUOYE Governing Council.
The event featured arts and photography exhibition displaying the creativity, talent and artistic skills of the Start-Rite students.