Celebration As Tonlagha Donates Coaster Bus To Alma Mater

It was an endless celebration for students, teachers and community leaders as businessman and philanthropist, Mr Mathew Tonlagha, donated a Coaster bus to Ugborikoko Secondary School in Delta State.

The donation was announced as part of events marking the 50th birthday of Tonlagha, the chairman of Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited.

High-profile dignitaries and Nigerians from all walks of life, on the occasion, showered encomiums on the celebrant, Tonlagha, an indigene of Gbaramatu in Delta state. during the event in Abuja.

It also featured the public presentation of the book: “Forged in the Creeks”, written by Olaokun Soyinka.

The Esther Matthew Tonlagha Foundation (EMTF) again agreed with the Senate President when it donated a Coaster bus to Ugborikoko Secondary School in Delta State, the celebrant’s alma mater, as part of the celebration.

The foundation’s donation to the school premises, which further reflects its vision of building sustainable impact through purposeful giving, has remained a commitment to supporting education, health and empowerment initiatives across Delta State.

The students welcomed the bus with excitement, while teachers and community leaders praised the foundation for turning a personal celebration into a shared blessing.

At the event, his wife, Deaconess Esther Tonlagha, founder of EMTF, said education remains a powerful tool for shaping the future, adding that investing in young people is the surest way to build strong communities.

According to her: “The foundation chose to mark not with fanfare alone, but with a meaningful gift that would directly support students and teachers.”

The school’s principal, Mr Irhirhi Masson Ufuoma, described the donation as timely and transformative, noting that it would improve school operations and student engagement beyond the classroom.

For the school, Ufuoma said the bus represents a solution to long-standing transportation challenges that have limited participation in academic trips, inter-school competitions and extracurricular activities.