Cherryfield College: The best school in Abuja owned by Idoma man (Photos)

Many years ago, Commander Emmanuel Ekoja Ajenu had a dream. He dreamt of establishing an institution where children would be prepared for greatness. An academic centre where champions would be raised.

A platform that provides students with world-class educational facilities that enable them to have a sound and solid educational foundation and at the same time prepares them for university education. This might seem a tall dream.

But this Idoma son was bent on realising his dream. In September 2004, he threw open the gate of a citadel of learning to ninety-six (96) students drawn from different parts of the country.  The Cherryfield College, situated on Plot 19, Jikwoyi, behind Phase 1 Primary School, along Nyanya-Karshi road, Jikwoyi Abuja,  has since grown in leaps and bounds, attaining in just a few years, heights and feats some schools before her could not attain in many years.

The college, which started in 2004 with a student population of 96 and 76 academic and non-academic staff, has witnessed an astronomical growth.

Presently, the college has a population of over 504 students. The growth in students’ population is commensurate with growth in staff population which today stand at over 300 experienced and qualified staff, 71 of whom are teaching staff.

The pioneer British principal, Mr. Robert Parkin, was succeeded by another British Mr Barry Tipton  in 2006. The current principal is Mrs. Olga Igbo—(BA in Linguistics (1977), MA in Linguistics (1979) and Ph D in Teaching of Second Languages (2000)—assisted by vice principals, Mrs. R. O. Idibia (Vice Principal, Administration) and Mrs. O. E. Onyekwelu, (Vice Principal, Academics).

Cherryfield College is indeed manned by competent hands and minds who are committed to the vision and mission of imparting quality education to all, nationally and internationally.

Of Cherryfield College, the founder once said: “We endorse enthusiasm for life and learning environment in a manner that allows every student to excel and be valued in their sphere of influence. Our aim is to make future leaders of these students such as to have self-confidence to meet the challenge of the future, the humility to knowledge, the success of others, the compassion to support others who encounter difficulties and the maturity to take responsibility for their own action.”

The school is known for its amazing academic feats. This was further confirmed with its performance at the 2018 National Spelling Bee Competition where she won the overall best prize. Cherryfield’s student came top out of the 5,000 participants in the competition sponsored by Indomie Noodles.

The school had also won the competition twice in three years, a record that is yet to be broken. Also, recently, Cherryfield College won the Platinum Award at the 2018 Africa Top School Award.

Since its inception, Cherryfield has been outstanding in the yearly West African Secondary School Certificate Examination, WASSCE, with her students coming out in flying colours. This is hardly surprising.  The school parades an e-library that is well equipped with up-to-date materials.  The library is a study centre which offers assistance to students for the preparation of assignments, independent study research and for their reading.

Cherryfield also has five (5) science laboratories – Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Agriculture and Basic Science and five (5) Vocational workshops for vocational subjects. They are fully equipped and students work both under supervision and also on their own.

Cherryfield College is a full boarding institution with a healthy and secure environment which provides 24-hour care for its students who are 100 percent resident on the school premises. Two two matrons live in the female hostel and three house parents in the male hostel. These personnel, caring but firm on school rules, provide parental care to the students in the hostel.

The male hostel comprises five blocks of buildings with eighty-four (84) rooms while the female hostel has four blocks of buildings with seventy-seven (77)  rooms. Each room is occupied by four to six students and each block has thirty-four (34) toilets and bathrooms. Overall, the hostel accommodation has an atmosphere of a “home away from home.”

The institution also boasts of two general Information Technology rooms which are equipped with twenty five (25) desktop computers each.  These provide students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field of technology.

The college also has a sporting arena that provides a variety of sports including basketball, handball, table tennis, badminton and football. They are ever-popular relaxation venues for staff and students alike.

Welcome to Cherryfield College, a place where God Grants Grace.