The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Delta State Chapter, has constituted an interim executive council with Mr. Ekene Sampson emerging as Acting State Chairman.
The development followed a Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting held at Total Mega School, DSC, in Udu Local Government Area, where representatives from several local government areas participated in the process.
Among the areas represented were Warri South, Warri North, Ughelli South, Ughelli North, Oshimili South, Oshimili North, Udu and Uvwie.
Sampson, who emerged through a voting process, pledged to rebuild the association, strengthen its advocacy role and ensure that the interests of private school proprietors are adequately represented before government and other stakeholders.
Speaking after his emergence, the new acting chairman said the leadership would work to restore NAPPS to what he described as its fundamental mandate of protecting the legitimate interests of private school operators.
He expressed concern over what he described as the association’s deviation from its core responsibilities under previous leadership, alleging that some private school proprietors had faced undue pressure from government agencies and other interest groups.
“What we are actually doing is to liberate NAPPS. The liberation has come,” Sampson said.
He said the interim administration would deploy dialogue, public enlightenment, media engagement and administrative interventions in addressing members’ concerns, while peaceful protests and legal action would be considered where necessary and within the law.
“We are going to stand out for our people. If it requires us going online to protest, we do. Going physical to protest, we do. Going into any office, we do. If it comes to dialogue, we follow dialogue,” he said.
Sampson, however, assured that the new leadership would operate strictly within the provisions of state and federal laws.
He also disclosed plans to organise a major NAPPS Day in Asaba in October, saying the event would provide an opportunity to showcase the association and strengthen its relationship with key stakeholders in the education sector.
The acting chairman further assured members that schools and proprietors operating within the law would receive the attention and protection of the association.
“I’m telling our schools that they should go back to their schools and everything will be handled. Every school and member will be carried along,” he said.
South-South NAPPS President Backs Interim Executive
The South-South President of NAPPS, Dr. Ochuko Akpeme, described the constitution of the interim executive as a significant step towards repositioning the association in Delta State.
Akpeme said the CWC meeting was peaceful and that members overwhelmingly supported the emergence of the new leadership.
“The outcome of the meeting was a very successful one. We elected our interim state executive council, the chairman, secretary, vice chairman and other members. That was one major highlight of our CWC meeting,” he said.
He said the decision enjoyed what he described as 100 per cent support from members present.
“Everybody was jubilating. It was a welcome development for private schools in Delta State. Everybody was in a celebration mood and happy. It was a common decision we took, with 100 per cent support,” Akpeme added.
The South-South leader urged private school proprietors across the state to support the interim executive, expressing confidence in its ability to constructively engage the Delta State Government on policies affecting the sector.
He also reminded proprietors that operating private schools should not be driven solely by profit, urging them to place quality education and value delivery at the centre of their operations.
“We should try as much as possible to ensure quality and value in our various schools,” he said.
According to him, the ultimate objective of establishing schools should be to positively impact the lives and future of Nigerian children.
“It should not just be a money-making venture. We should give value. It is about the life of the Nigerian child, and that should also be considered,” he added.
NAPPS Must Strengthen Advocacy, Says PRO
The newly appointed Public Relations Officer of the NAPPS Delta interim executive, Mr. James Okhiria, said the new leadership would strengthen the association’s voice and improve its engagement with government.
Okhiria, a former state PRO and member of the previous executive, said Sampson’s leadership experience in Oshimili South contributed to his emergence.
“Ekene has been a leader. He is the chairman of Oshimili South and he has been doing well. He has been holding Oshimili strong with good followership and he is a born leader. That was why the house said we want such a person,” he said.
He explained that the interim executive would provide leadership and stability pending the election of a substantive executive council expected next year.
Okhiria called on members to put past disagreements behind them and concentrate on issues affecting private school proprietors across the state.
He said NAPPS must operate as an effective advocacy organisation capable of engaging government whenever policies or decisions have direct implications for private schools.
He cited the Delta State Government’s suspension of graduation ceremonies in private schools as one of the issues he believed required stronger consultation between government and stakeholders.
According to him, relevant stakeholders, including NAPPS, should be consulted before policies affecting the operations of private schools are introduced.
“We believe Ekene will take us to check any excesses from the state government to scatter our business,” Okhiria said.
With the constitution of the interim executive, the association is expected to focus on advocacy, constructive engagement with government, capacity building and the protection of members’ interests ahead of the next substantive election.
Interim Executive Members
Other members of the interim executive council are Pastor Paul Esene, Vice Chairman; Dr. Onajite Okoh, Secretary; Rev. Nena, Welfare and Treasurer; and Pastor Dickson Sam, Assistant Secretary.
