- As new LEA Secretary, Anyia visits Agbor monarch
In a heartfelt encounter that blended tradition, wisdom, and education, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Benjamin Ikenchukwu Keagborekuzi I, CON, the revered Dein of Agbor Kingdom, has called on educators in Ika South to revive the spirit of communal education and rebuild the social fabric of the community through the school system.
The royal appeal came on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, during a courtesy visit by the newly appointed Secretary to the Local Education Authority (LEA), Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, Comrade Mathew Anyia, fondly known as MC Chimex.
Comr. Anyia was accompanied by a delegation of stakeholders—including officials of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), head teachers, and education officers.
Addressing the monarch and the press, Comr. Anyia expressed profound gratitude for the Dein’s continuous support for education, teachers, and youth development. He described the monarch as a fountain of wisdom and promised to implement the advice and insights shared during the royal engagement.
Comr. Anyia visited the revered Agbor monarch to formally introduce his administration and seek the monarch’s fatherly blessings.
“We are here to thank His Majesty for his unwavering love for education, and to humbly receive his blessings as we begin this journey of service,” Anyia said. “While implementation may not happen overnight, we are fully committed to applying the wisdom shared today, and we will carry all our teachers along every step of the way”, he assured.
He also thanked the monarch for his warm reception, prayers, and tireless advocacy for teacher welfare and educational progress in the region, praying for continued divine blessings upon the king.
In his address to the visiting delegation, the Dein of Agbor Kingdom passionately emphasized the need to revive Africa’s traditional communal education system, where every child belonged not only to their parents but to the entire community. “Please, bring back communal responsibilities and values. There was a time when every child belonged to all of us—where teachers, elders, and neighbors played a role in shaping a child’s future. That spirit must return. This is Africa. We must repair it”, the monarch urged.
He commended the teachers for their dedication, especially in the face of low remuneration, and urged them to remain steadfast in their noble role as nation builders. He particularly emphasized the importance of tackling truancy, suggesting that schools hold parents accountable when children repeatedly miss classes.
“Keep proper attendance records. Follow up. And hold parents responsible for their children’s absence. That’s how we’ll end truancy,” he said.
The monarch didn’t stop at educational structures, he dove deep into the emotional and moral core of teaching. He stressed the need for open communication, mutual respect between teachers and leaders, and a departure from the culture of fear and authoritarianism in African leadership.
“Authority should not be feared—it should serve. Encourage your students to ask questions. Intelligent people ask questions. Don’t stifle curiosity. Teaching is an act of love, not control,” he said.
Decrying the rising rate of drug abuse and societal breakdown, the Dein linked these challenges to unemployment and a lack of constructive engagement for the youth. He called for more meaningful interaction between schools and communities to address these systemic issues.
“In the past, everyone had something doing. Today, idleness and fear dominate. Bigmanism has destroyed open dialogue. Let’s return to openness and truth. Value those who speak truth to power”, he said.
He encouraged teachers not to be afraid of making mistakes, affirming that failure is a part of learning and growth. “Don’t embarrass anyone for failing. Mistakes are part of the process. You have to fail before you succeed”, he noted.
As the meeting drew to a close, the monarch again emphasized that the future of the community lies in the hands of its educators. He urged them to teach with purpose, lead with compassion, and always strive to leave a positive impact wherever they go.
The session ended on a warm and memorable note with an interactive questions & answers, followed by a symbolic group photograph, marking the beginning of what many hope will be a renewed era of communal-focused education in Ika South.
