The 5th Amaka Ndoma-Egba Memorial Lecture organised by Start-Rite Schools, one of the leading citadels of learning in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, in collaboration with the Victor & Amaka Ndoma-Egba Foundation (VANEF), was held on Saturday, November 22, 2025, with the theme, “Beyond Boundaries – Building Resilient Communities For Tomorrow”.
The memorial lecture meant to celebrate and honour the memory and legacy of the late Founder of Start-Rite Schools, Mrs. Amaka Lauretta Ndoma-Egba, was hosted by her husband and Chairman Advisory Board of the educational institution, Distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, and chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Reps, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu ably represented by Dr. Clifford Ogbede, the Executive Director, Natural Resources, Agricultural and Rural Development in the South East Development Commission (SEDC).
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, House of Reps Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Kalu, through Dr. Ogbede, said “The late Mrs Amaka Ndoma-Egba was more than the Founder of Start-Rite Schools, she was someone who embodied a rare blend of discipline, compassion, and unwavering belief in the transformative power of education. She believed that excellence should not be constrained by circumstance and that every child deserves the opportunity to rise beyond the limitations of the environment.”
The Deputy Speaker charged leaders, educators, policymakers and parents, to strive to create systems and build communities that are inclusive, innovative and future-ready, noting that “Resilience is not accidental, it is built through values, vision and intentional investment in people.”
According to him, “The idea of going beyond boundaries is a call to stretch our imagination about what education, leadership and community development should be. It urges us to dismantle the invisible walls created by access gaps and inequality.
“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 (Late Amaka Ndoma-Egba) 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.”
The Keynote Speaker, former Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, emphasized the importance of giving back to the society.
In the words of the ex-Cross River helmsman, “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.”
Encouraging the Start-Rite students to be focussed and make the best use of their time, Duke said: “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 earn as much as you can. That takes you to 50 years. And from 50 yea4s you give as much as you can more than you expect. That is giving back.”
The Advisory Board Chairman, Ndoma-Egba who incidentally is also the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman Governing Council of Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), stated in his remarks at the event that “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. Tonight, we see that dream alive, vibrant, and growing stronger every day; it is indeed a legacy that keeps blossoming, stretching into new horizons,” Akinlade stated.
He added that “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.
“This year, just like the last, we recorded a 100% pass at distinction and credit levels in West Africa Senior School Certificate (WASSCE). What makes this result an improvement on last year is not the 100% credit pass, as that was recorded last year too, but the almost 90% distinctions recorded across all subjects.”
Chairman of VANEF, Mr. Joseph Oru, in his speech said the Foundation was established to sustain the values the late Amaka stood for.
According to Oru, “Five years ago, Mrs. Amaka Lauretta Ndoma-Egba completed her time here and left a mark that continues to speak. Through her work in education and community support, many children received opportunities they may never have imagined. Start-Rite Schools stands as one of those expressions, but so did the scholarships she quietly funded and the social initiatives she championed.
“To sustain the values she stood for, the Distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, OFR, CON, LL.D., SAN committed to creating a structure that ensures this impact does not fade with time. That commitment gave birth to the Victor and Amaka Ndoma-Egba Foundation (VANEF).”
Other dignitaries present at the occasion were former Governor of Edo State, Senator Oserheimen Osunbor, former Ministers of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo, and his wife Justice Folashade Ojo of the Court of Appeal, Cardinal John Onayekan, Bishop Anselm Umoren, ex-minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi, Senator Nicholas Ugbane, Senator Musa Adede, Senator Mathew Mbu, Hon. Victor Abang, members of FUOYE Governing Council including the outgoing VC, Professor Abayomi Fasina and VC-designate, Professor Joshua Ogunwole.
The memorial lecture featured arts and photography exhibition where the creativity, talent and artistic skills of the students were showcased.