Obi condemns govt take-over of schools

By VINCENT UJUMADU

GOVERNOR Peter Obi has condemned government take-over of schools in the old East Central State after the Nigerian civil war, saying the present administration in the state felt scandalized at the condition of the schools which were left in dilapidation for many years.

Obi, who virtually wept at Oraukwu Grammar School, in Idemili South local government area as part of his routine visit to schools in Anambra State, regretted a situation where most of the buildings in the institutions were overgrown with weeds.

Apologizing to the missionaries for the take-over of their schools by government and for what he called the reckless running of those schools aground, the governor said the state government would not relent in assisting the missionaries to restore the schools to what they used to be.

He also expressed surprise that Oraukwu, with many wealthy people and known for impressive community development, allowed the school to degenerate, even when it is Oraukwu children that mainly attend the school.

He presented a cheque of N10 million to the school authority to begin immediate renovation, adding that the amount is part of the N20 million budgeted for the rehabilitation of the school for 2012.

Receiving the cheque, Venerable John Nkwoemezie of BCM Anglican Church, Onitsha, observed that the empowerment would help to reverse the high level of dilapidation in schools, adding that the governor has restored hope to the children and assured him that the money will be put to good use.

Other schools visited and presented with cheques of N10 million each were: Girls, Secondary School, Alor; Girls’ High School, Umueri; Fr Joseph Memorial High School, Umueri; St Joseph Special Science School, Awka-Etiti; and Our Lady Secondary School, Nnobi..