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, amid renewed calls for unity, stronger advocacy and improved engagement with government on issues affecting private school operators.
Sampson emerged through a voting process at a Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting attended by representatives from several local government areas, including Warri South, Warri North, Ughelli South, Ughelli North, Oshimili South and Oshimili North, Udu, Uvwie, among others. The meeting was held at Total Mega School DSC in Udu local government area.
Speaking shortly after his emergence, Sampson pledged to reposition NAPPS Delta and restore what he described as the association’s core responsibility of protecting the legitimate interests of private school proprietors.
He alleged that the association had deviated from its original purpose under its previous leadership, resulting in situations where private school operators were allegedly intimidated by government agencies and other interest groups.
“What we are actually doing is to liberate NAPPS. The liberation has come,” Sampson said, stressing that the association must be prepared to negotiate, apply pressure and defend its members within the provisions of the law.
Sampson said his administration would adopt public enlightenment, media engagement, dialogue, administrative intervention and, where necessary, peaceful protests or legal action to address issues affecting members.
“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.
He, however, emphasised that the interim administration would operate within the law and would not engage in actions that conflict with state or federal legislation.
The acting chairman also announced plans for a major NAPPS Day in Asaba in October, describing it as an opportunity to showcase the association and attract key stakeholders in the education sector.
Sampson assured members that the new leadership would prioritise the protection of schools operating within the law.
“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 President Seeks Support for New Leadership
Backing the new leadership, the South-South President of NAPPS, Dr. Ochuko Akpeme, described the CWC meeting as successful and the emergence of the interim executive as a welcome development for private schools in Delta State.
Akpeme said the decision to constitute the interim executive was unanimously supported by members, describing Sampson as a choice leader capable of providing a new approach to challenges confronting private school operators.
“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.
According to him, the atmosphere at the meeting was peaceful and celebratory, with members expressing confidence in the new leadership.
“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,” Dr. Akpeme added.
The South-South NAPPS president urged private school proprietors across Delta to give the interim executive the necessary support, saying the new leadership had the passion to ensure that private schools operate successfully.
He expressed confidence that the council would engage the Delta State Government constructively and advocate policies and measures that would benefit the private education sector.
Dr. Akpeme, however, reminded proprietors that the responsibility of running private schools goes beyond profit-making, urging them to prioritise quality education and value delivery.
“We should try as much as possible to ensure quality and value in our various schools. Very important. We should make sure that the main determination and aim of establishing the school is achieved,” he said.
“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.”
PRO: New Leadership Will Strengthen NAPPS’ Voice
Also speaking on the development, the newly appointed Public Relations Officer of the NAPPS Delta interim executive, Mr. James Okhiria, said Sampson’s emergence would strengthen the association’s ability to protect private school proprietors and engage government more effectively.
Okhiria, who previously served as the state PRO and was also a member of the former executive, said Sampson’s leadership experience in Oshimili South was a major factor behind 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,” Okhiria said.
He explained that the interim executive would provide leadership pending the conduct of a substantive election scheduled for next year.
He said the emergence of the interim leadership was intended to provide direction and stability for members pending the next substantive election, while urging members to avoid further confrontation and remain focused on the interests of private school proprietors.
The PRO stressed that NAPPS must function as a strong pressure group capable of engaging government whenever policies affect the operations of private schools.
He cited the Delta State Government’s suspension of graduation ceremonies by private schools as an example of an issue where he believed stronger stakeholder engagement could have made a difference.
Okhiria said government should consult NAPPS and other relevant stakeholders before implementing policies that directly affect private school operators.
“We believe Ekene will take us to check any excesses from the state government to scatter our business,” he said.
With the emergence of the interim executive council, the new leadership has pledged to combine advocacy, constructive engagement, capacity building and lawful pressure to address challenges confronting private schools, while the South-South leadership has urged proprietors across Delta to rally behind the council.
Other members elected with chairman as interim Exco members include Pastor Paul Esene as vice chairman; Dr. Onajite Okoh as secretary; Reverend Nena as welfare and treasurer and Pastor Dickson Sam as Assistant secretary.