By Nna Anulumadu , Angela Chiokwe
Nnobi community recently witnessed yet another landmark development as her sons and daughters living in the three states USA (New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut), under the dynamic leadership of Fr. (MAJ) Cosmas Chidozie Nzeabalu (USAR), donated, installed, and commissioned 46 solar-powered street lights at Our Lady’s Secondary School, Nnobi.
The initiative, which cost several thousands of dollars, reflects the enduring love and commitment of Nnobians abroad to the progress of their hometown. The project began on Saturday, 16th August 2025, with the arrival of solar lighting materials at the school compound, and the work was concluded within a week, on Monday, 24th August 2025. The commissioning took place on Wednesday, 27th August 2025, and was attended by dignitaries, community leaders, school staff, and students.
The colorful commissioning ceremony drew notable personalities from across Nnobi. Among them were Chief Dan Ajaghaku, Palace Secretary, representing His Royal Highness, Igwe Engr. Muodum Nick Obi (Igwe Omenyili of Nnobi); Chief Basil Eruchalu, representing the Igwe-in-Council; and Chief Ibenegbu, Vice President, who stood in for the Nnobi Welfare Organisation (NWO).
Also present were respected figures including Dr. Clement Emeka Okpala, Sir Tony Oraka, and Chief Azubuike Nwabugwu. Members of the school’s teaching staff and SS3 students, who were on intensive holiday extension classes, witnessed the historic moment firsthand.
Their presence symbolized the direct beneficiaries of the project—students whose learning environment has now been transformed.
Delivering his speech at the event, Fr. (MAJ) Cosmas Chidozie Nzeabalu, Chairman of the Tri-State group, spoke passionately about the group’s unwavering determination to give back to Nnobi. He highlighted not only the importance of the solar street lights but also recalled other projects already undertaken by Nnobians in the diaspora. He stressed that the lights would serve to enhance security, improve the school’s night-time visibility, and create a more conducive learning atmosphere for students.
According to him, the project was not a one-off intervention but part of a larger, ongoing mission to uplift Nnobi. “Our aim is to continue working for the growth and transformation of our homeland,” he declared, promising that more initiatives are already in the pipeline.
Chief Dan Ajaghaku, who spoke on behalf of Igwe of Nnobi, praised the foresight of the diaspora community and described the gesture as both timely and impactful. He called on the school management to ensure that the solar lights are properly maintained for the benefit of future generations.
Similarly, Chief Basil Eruchalu, on behalf of the Igwe-in-Council, lauded the donors’ vision and appealed to other well-meaning Nnobians to emulate such acts of selflessness. Chief Ibenegbu, representing the Nnobi Welfare Organisation, reinforced the message of unity, stressing that development is a collective responsibility that requires synergy between residents at home and those abroad.
In appreciation , the school manager Rev Fr. Vincent Nwanosike, who was represented by Mr. Fabian Akulue a seminarian attached to the school delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks. He described the installation as “a token of affection that will leave a lasting legacy in the school and the wider community.” He prayed for God’s blessings on all the donors and encouraged them to sustain their noble efforts. A student of the school Ms. Okafor Chiemerie expressed joy at how the school environment had been transformed almost overnight. “The lights have brightened our hostels, classrooms, and pathways, making us feel safer and more motivated to study, even at night,” he said. Miss Okeke Somtochukwu added that the installation had given the school a new look of modernity, comparable to institutions in larger cities.
“A lasting impact beyond illumination, beyond the immediate benefits of security and visibility, the street lights symbolize something deeper—the strengthening of ties between Nnobians at home and those in the diaspora.
By contributing their resources and time, the Tri-State group has not only improved infrastructure but also inspired a culture of giving back. Community members noted that this initiative will likely serve as a catalyst for further development projects. It underscores the role of diaspora communities as vital stakeholders in local progress, particularly in the areas of education, security, and youth empowerment.
In his closing remarks, Fr. (MAJ) Cosmas Nzeabalu reassured the school and community that this was only the beginning. He pledged that Nnobians in the Tri-State would remain actively engaged in projects that improve lives and foster unity back home. His words were met with applause, as the gathering looked forward to a future of continued collaboration between the diaspora and the local community.
The 46 solar-powered street lights now stand tall across the grounds of Our Lady’s Secondary School, Nnobi—a beacon not just of illumination but of love, unity, and progress. This landmark project has written a new chapter in the school’s history and set a shining example of how collective effort can light up both places and lives.
