School History

St Charles College Abavo was founded in 1962 due to the efforts of the people of Abavo, working with the Catholic dioceses of Benin/Delta, then Midwest state. Abavo people levied themselves the sum of four thousand pounds (£4,000.00), and the people of Ekuma donated the land that made it possible.  

St Charles College started its journey with main players:

  • His Royal Highness Obi Ekhator Jegbefume II at that time was a special member of the House of Chiefs in the Western Region.

  • Abavo Town Union; when Abavo had dedicated, forward looking and patriotic citizen.

  • Chief Salubi - Minister of education western region; A close friend of His Royal Highness Obi Ekhator Jegbefume II.

  • Reverend Father Charles Lyon, parish priest at St John’s Parish. A close friend of His Royal Highness Obi Ekhator Jegbefume II.

Even after Rev Fr Charles Lyon was transferred to Ubiaja, he still continued to work with the people of Abavo. He tragically died in a car accident when he was returning back to Ubiaja after meeting with the Obi to brief him on the progress and the commitment of the Bishop.

He ran into a fallen tree across the road between Uromi and Ubiaja. St Charles College was posthumously named after him and a requiem mass was celebrated in his honor.

That is why St. Charles’ Day is November 4th of every year in honor of St. Charles Borromeo.

Therefore, on November 4, 1962 when Chief Salubi came to Abavo to give his approval of the school, St Charles was founded. He almost did not approve the school because there wasn’t a single building on the campus but Abavo people had cleared several acres of land which impressed him greatly.

The Royal Highness convinced him that the building will commence immediately and in time for the school year of January of 1963.

In January of 1963 classes began at the Holy Rosary Primary School in a new block of three classrooms adjacent to Prince Iguma Jegbefume’s home.

Students were housed in the modified formal District Officers rest house by the maternity. By the second term two blocks of classrooms, the principal’s house, and two blocks of dormitories, plus a dining hall, and a huge kitchen were ready.  So, when the students came back for the second term in April of 1963, they reported on St. Charles campus.

The school was run by the government for several years and handed over to the mission on 27th October 2011. Rev Fr. Jude Awonor became the principal from 2011 to 2016.

This short history of St Charles College by Prince Emmanuel Ekhartor (Jegbefume) - USA and Mr. Ben Ozour - UK and Rev Fr. Victor Ofili principal St Charles College.

See Present and Past Principals for details.