The Nigerian Ambassador to the Gambia, Madam Esther John Audu, inaugurated  the new board of the Nigeria International School (NIS) located at Fajara, on Sunday 19 July at the Kairaba Beach Hotel. The 18 member board, headed by Dr Prince Mike Ikupolati, will steer the affairs of the school for the next three years.

In her inaugural statement, Ambassador Esther John Audu commended the former board members for their tremendous achievements in sustaining and securing a permanent site for the school. She noted that the latest inaugural ceremony is a testimony of collective aspiration of Nigerians to build an institution of excellence.

The Nigeria Ambassador said that when the dream of the Nigeria International School was first conceived by the Nigerian Welfare Association, the then Nigeria High Commissioner, Jacob Ayuba Ngbako, made commitments both financially and morally to the school. This was upheld by his successor, Mariam Mohammed.

She assured everyone that those appointed to the school board members are men and women of goodwill with ability and competency to pilot the affairs of the school. She therefore urged them  to work closely togehter to uplift the status of the school. In conclusion, she challenged the board members to work assiduously towards developing the school new site in order to prevent students from transferring.

Nancy Umoh, Head of the Nigeria International School, applauded the Nigerian Embassy and the former board for their supports and achievements. She added that the school started operations in September 2003 with the aim of providing basic quality education. Dr Prince Mike Ikupolati expressed his gratitude and that of the other appointed board members to the High Commission and the school. The new chairman of NIS noted that though other sectors of the economy might be vital to the overall development of a nation, the education sector controls the change agents that will bring about the rapid socio-economic transformation needed at any point in time.