The perception mostly held by the larger society in Nigeria is the misconception that schools in the riverine areas are second class when compared to their counterparts in the urban areas. However, those who harbour such mentality will be shocked to discover that they are the “uninformed in society” as demonstrated by Okpeleama Primary School whose pupils shocked audience by their performance as it hosted its maiden edition of Six Lessons & Carols programme on Thursday, December 4, 2025.

Okpele Primary School is situated in Okpele-ama / Tebujor community in the ancient riverine Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Among dignitaries at the programme are Chief Tare Ogah (the Amadiwei), Capt. Aboh Ebifagha Kaduna (Chairman of the occasion) and Mr. Lucky Bebenimibo (Chairman of the community) among others.

According to the host, the head teacher of Okpele Primary School, Mr. Ezemede D.D, the programme is aimed at celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and also a stimulus to engage

"It is a programme that was organized by the staff, the pupils, and the management of the school to promote academic excellence among the pupils of the school and other pupils from other schools within Gbaramatu Kingdom.

"The programme is a combination of Christmas Carol, which is meant to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Several melodious songs were sang by the pupils.

"At the same time, it was a bomber package that was mixed with academic activities ranging from rhymes, recitation of poems, reading of Bible verses to promote logical reasoning and to promote academic excellence among the pupils," he added.

Mr. Ezemede further stressed that one of the purpose of the programme is to put to rest the wrong notion often ascribed to riverine schools as he expressed confidence that riverine schools in Delta State can compete well with other schools in other areas due to the favourable learning conditions.

"All we are intending to showcase is just to inform people within and in Diaspora that the children in these riverine areas can also compete favourably with children from other places like Warri because the environment is so peaceful for learning.

"So, those who are still doubting that nothing good can come out of Nazareth, the majority of them today were convinced that something good has started coming out of Nazareth.

"So above all, this programme is organized to promote academic excellence in Okpeleama Primary School. This is what the program is all about," he reemphasizes.

He thanked stakeholders of the community for standing by the school management to put together such a programme to boost awareness and lay to rest wrong perceptions in the society.

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