History Of SAHARCO
History of SaharcoSOBA
The school was established in 1957, three years before Nigerian independence in 1960, by the then Catholic Bishop of Owerri, the Most Rev. Bishop Joseph B. Whelan, (C.S.Sp), with Rev. Fr. Raymond Kennedy as the school’s first principal and the Most Rev. Dr. Gregory Ochiagha, the Bishop Emeritus of Orlu, as the first indigenous Principal.
This school was one of the most admired High Schools in Eastern Nigeria because of its reputation for both scholastic excellence and athletic prowess. However, with the advent of the Nigerian Civil War which began on July 6, 1967 and ended on January 12, 1970, the then Military Government took over Missionary Schools in Eastern Nigeria in 1973, and Sacred Heart College, Aba was one of the high schools taken over by the Military Government. The takeover of Missionary Schools by the Military Government inflicted devastating blows on these schools, which depleted their academic curricular and eroded their morale and moral fabric. However, during the administration of Governor Theodore Orji, the Government of Abia State returned many Missionary Schools to their original owners, thereby returning Sacred Heart College (aka SAHARCO) to the Catholic Diocese of Aba.
Since then, concerted efforts have been made by the Catholic Diocese of Aba and some other concerned organizations to return Sacred Heart College to its past glory as a citadel of learning and a cherished institution committed to grooming young boys into respectable and productive members of society. One of such organizations committed to returning Sacred Heart College to its past glory is Saharco Old Boys
Before Renovations
SOBAUSA is a fraternal alumni organization of former students of Sacred Heart College, Aba, resident in the United States of America, Canada and Europe. The organization was inaugurated in 2001 in Atlanta Georgia, with her membership participation and contribution towards the improvement of their alma mater enshrined in the organization’s Charter. During SOBAUSA’s inaugural meeting in 2001, the membership appraised the depth of decay and neglect of their alma mater’s erstwhile beautiful landscape and infrastructures, and collectively resolved that they had a moral obligation to contribute their quota to ensure that the great institution, Sacred Heart College, Aba, which groomed and equipped them with necessary survival skills, was rescued from further dilapidation and possible extinction. Some of SOBAUSA’s contributions towards Sacred Heart College’s rescue mission since its inauguration in
2001 include:
1. Renovation of the School’s Assembly Hall/Auditorium
2. Fencing and securing the parameters of the school from trespassers/intruders
3. Financial contributions towards the rebuilding/renovation of some of the dormitories
4. Endowment of scholarship and athletic funds for students by SOBAUSA members.
5. Provided media equipment and Laptops
6. Provided trophy to encourage athletic competition.
In fact, following cash donations and other educational resources from SOBAUSA to the school in 2013, the population of the school grew tremendously. That encouraged SOBAUSA to do more for the school.
Considering the depth of decay that the school endured over the previous forty (40) years under successive Military Governments, lots of work needed to be done. While some buildings have been renovated, the school is still a long way from being restored to its past glory. The alumni association will continue on their mission to make their alma mater a better institution by giving and soliciting from various sources to accomplish their goal of making Saharco a quality institution for learning.
Some of SOBAUSA’s contributions towards Sacred Heart College’s rescue mission since its inauguration in 2001 include:
