Merchants of Light School, Oba

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Merchants of Light School, Oba, (MOLS) is an independent secondary school for boys located along the Onitsha-Nnewi Road in Oba, Anambra State, Nigeria. Merchants of Light School, Oba, was founded in 1946 by Dr. Enoch Ifediora Oli, an indigene of Oba . The school opened its doors to its first students on 18 February 1946 with a pioneer set of 15 students and Dr. Oli as the first Principal. The student population increased to 29 by the end of that school year. The first entry in the school's visitors' book, which also doubled as the log book, reads: "Feb. 18th 1946 Monday. The Merchants of Light School was opened today with fifteen pupils. There were two teachers: E. I. Obi Reg. Number A/2548 and M. U. Ibeachum C/9/3196." "The nucleus of the Boarding Department, under the Management of Mrs. D. A. Oli, was started with four Boys." Dr. Oli’s original intention was to establish the school in Oba but difficulty in securing the land almost forced him to locate the school in Oguta or Aba. The owners of the piece of land at the old PWD Camp at Mile 7 on the old Onitsha-Owerri Road, which he had started clearing for the school, decided against allowing the building of the school on their land. That forced Dr. Oli to decide to move the school to Oguta or Aba. Some members of his age grade in Oba, however, intervened by arranging for him to be offered a piece of communal land near the Afor Uzor Market. Dr. Oli accepted the offer and subsequently went on to establish the school on the piece of land which used to house the old Oba Court Hall, near the CMS Cemetery. Dr. Oli, a holder of a B. A. (Hons), M. A., Dip. Ed. (Oxon) and D. Lit, and a recipient of an M.B.E and an M.F.R, as well as the title of Ide Oba, established Merchants of Light School, Oba, after serving the Anglican Mission for over 30 years. He had served as Vice Principal of two mission schools, Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha, and Okrika Grammar School, and modelled Merchants of Light School after those two mission schools. He resigned his appointment with the Niger Anglican Mission in order to set up the school. Additionally, E.J. Ibeagha describes Merchants of Light, Oba, as a shining example of private schools started by people who had close association with DMGS, as tutors, for example, who tried to pattern such schools after the DMGS tradition.. In choosing the name "Merchants of Light School", Dr. Oli had a vision of a great school that would produce "Merchants" whose "Merchandise" would be "Light" that would illuminate the whole of the old Eastern Nigeria.

For the school motto, he chose the Latin words "Omnes Unum Sumus" which means "We are all one" in order to restate the strong belief in the equality of all humans, thereby creating the confidence needed for adventure, industry and invention in the products of the school. The motto was also expected to present students with a consistent object for abiding friendship and teamwork. The school logo, an open book atop the rising sun with the two separated by a paddle, a hoe and a shepherd's crook laid across each other, all within a heart shaped indigo mat with gold trimming, depicts the Republic of Nigeria. The paddle stands for working the land; the shepherd's crook illustrates divine guidance; the book proclaims learning and knowledge; the rising sun is the symbol of the school’s merchandise (Light); the indigo is the colour of royalty among the Igbo; and the gold signifies dignity. Explaining his motivation for founding the school, Dr. Oli said, "It was difficult to prove to the public that, after my experiences in England, it was not for mere money that I was founding the school....... If money comes my way as a Merchant, I take it but not in darkness, for where there is light, there can be no darkness."

Merchants of Light School started off as a boarding school although some students attended as day students. When the first two dormitories were built, they were named Lagos and Enugu houses. The next two were named Kaduna and Port Harcourt houses. They would later be joined by Sokoto and Calabar Houses. The Proprietor preferred names of towns to names of prominent people because he reasoned that people will die and the names would fade away but towns will continue to grow. The school’s second intake of 60 boys included Chief Emeka Anyaoku who would later become the first African Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. When they sat for the Cambridge School Certificate examination, Chief Anyaoku took 10 subjects and earned the school's first grade one pass, the highest level.

Academics

Merchants of Light School, Oba, has traditionally attracted high-performing students from the old Eastern Region of Nigeria but its graduands have included students from as far away as Southern Cameroons and Gold Coast (now Ghana). It boasted of some of the best equipped classrooms and laboratories in the Eastern Region and its students consistently achieved high scores in SSCE, O-Level and A-Level examinations. All students are required to complete core courses in the Arts and Sciences. The school trained students up to the ordinary level until 1965 when the Higher School Certificate programme was introduced. In 1997, the school was split into two: the regular school and a Special Science School. In 2001, the regular school was further split into Merchants of Light School, Oba (Senior Secondary Section), and Merchants of Light School, Oba (Junior Secondary section), which, together with the Merchants of Light Special Science Secondary, Oba, meant that there were now three schools housed in the compound. These arrangements were subsequently phased out in 2008 and 2011, bringing back the school to its original state as Merchants of Light School, Oba. Students of Merchants of Light School participate in a variety of sports, including football, hockey and track and field. There is a standard sized sports field that serves the school. The school was a regular contender for state championships in many sports, in particular hockey and football. With the high emphasis on academics, it is not surprising that Merchants of Light School has produced a very high number of professional leaders in various sectors across Nigeria. These include Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who became the first and only African Secretary-General of the Commonwealth; Dr. Benedict Oramah, President of the African-Export-Import Bank; Prof. Peter Onwualu, former Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council; Mr. Onochie Anyaoku, former Group Executive Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, to name a few. The school also attracted the best teachers. For instance, after his graduation from University in 1954, Chinua Achebe, famed author of the bestselling book Things Fall Apart, became a teacher at Merchants of Light School, Oba.. Similarly, Prof. J.O.C. Ezeilo, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Prof. Gaius Ezejiofor, Mr. L.O. Ndu; Mr. Onwuka Efobi; and Mr. Ugwuegede, were teachers in the school.

Decline

The advent of the Nigerian Civil War led to an overall decline in education across the country and Merchants of Light was not spared. Prior to the war, the school had first class facilities, the best teachers and the feel of a quality environment for learning. The war led to a suspension of all academic activities for about three years. When the war ended and academic activities resumed, not all students were able to return. Besides, there had been extensive damage to the school facilities and structures. Moreover, a decision by the new military government to take over all private secondary schools meant that all school management was transferred to a government which lacked the resources to maintain the schools. Consequently, quality standards declined substantially, with things getting progressively worse as the years went by. The dilapidation affected everything from the library to laboratories, classrooms, dormitories, sports pitches, lawns and roads. The effect is that, today, Merchants of Light is nothing but a shadow of the great institution it once was.

Restoration

Concerned about the general decline in the school, many former students of the school have, over the years, engaged in voluntary efforts to execute various development projects in the school. Working individually or in groups, they have executed projects like restoration of hostel blocks, replacement of damaged roofs, improvement of certain structures, and construction of water supply systems, among others. At the same time, the Merchants of Light Old Boys’ Association has initiated consultations to see how to find a permanent solution that will address the challenges confronting the school in order to restore it as a conducive environment for highest quality learning.

Principals

• 1. Dr. Enoch Ifediora Oli (1946-1952)
• 2. Rev. Can. A. E. D. Mgbemena (1953-1954)
• 3. Dr. Enoch Ifediora Oli (1955-1970)
• 4. Prof. Basil A. Oli (1971-1972)
• 5. Mr. D. I. S. Anyachebelu (1973)
• 6. Mr. E. A. Ifezulike (1974-1977)
• 7. Mr. N. O. I. Okwuosa (1977-1983)
• 8. Mr. H. U. Obi (1983-1990)
• 9. Mr. Alex N. Iyiegbu (1990-2001)
• 10. Mr. Vincent C. Ejiofor (Senior Secondary section) (2001-2008)
• 11. Mr. Emmanuel A. Adogu (Junior Secondary section) (2001-2003)
• 12. Mr. A. U. Obi (Junior Secondary section) (2004-2005)
• 13. Dr. Chukwujekwu Ibe (Junior Secondary section) (2006-2008)
• 14. Dr. Chukwujekwu Ibe (when it was reverted to the original state) (2008-2011)
• 15. Mr. Bertram Chibueze (2011-2012)
• 16. Mr. Hammond Dunu (2012-2014)

Notable Alumni

SN Alumnus Position Held Graduation Year

• 1 Chief Emeka Anyaoku First African Secretary-General of the Commonwealth 1952
• 2 Dr. Benedict Oramah President, African-Export-Import Bank 1978
• 3 Prof. Peter Onwualu Director-General, Raw Materials Research and Development Council 1977
• 4 Mr. Onochie Anyaoku Group Executive Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation 1973
• 5 Prof. Uche Elinwa Dean, Faculty of Engineering ATBU
• 6 Prof. Ephraim Ifesie
• 7 Prof. Michael Onyekonwu Professor of oil and gas engineering and Dean, Faculty of Engineering University of Port Harcourt
• 8 Prof. Chukwuanugo Okeke
• 9 Mr. Obi Emekekwue United Nations Diplomat and Director of Communications, African Export-Import Bank 1977
• 10 Mr. Mbanefo Nnoka District Governor, Rotary Club 1976
• 11 Chief Chimezie Ikeazor Legal Luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria
• 12 Prof. Edwin Nwogwugwu Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria
• 13 Mr. Iwuba Ifediora (Late) President, Nigeria Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers
• 14 Dr. D. C. Okonkwo (Late) Medical Director, Royal Hospital, Enugu
• 15 Prof. M. Olisa Political Science Department, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
• 16 Engr F. N. Ugwu (Late) General Manager, Nigeria Coal Corporation
• 17 Prof. Godfrey Okafor College of Medicine, University of Nigeria
• 18 Arch. Eric Chukwuka (Late) President, Nigeria Institute of Architects
• 19 Col. Augustine Aniebo (Late) Governor, Kogi State
• 20 Mr. J. C. Okafor (Late) Commissioner of Police
• 21 Engr. Josiah Nwakoby (Late) Igwe Obosi
• 22 Mr. Mike Ejeagha Renowned musician and producer of Igbo folk songs
• 23 Mr. Azubike Okeke Director of Public Prosecution, Anambra State 1977
• 24 Mr. Pius Udoh Clerk of the House, Anambra State House of Assembly 1977
• 25 Mr. Emeka Anyanetu Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly

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