By Steve Oko

The Alumni of the famous Eziama High School Aba, have decried the infrastructural decay and the current condition of their alma mater, and called on Abia State Government to quickly intervene by taking over the school to save it from total collapse.

This was contained in a communique issued after the end of the Old Boys Association, 1988 Class Re-union Annual General Meeting.

Recall that the school was among the schools handed over to missions by the State Government about 12 years ago.

According to the communique jointly signed by the newly-elected President,

Comrade James Chikwendu;  Secretary, Chidozie Edede; and the Public Relations Officer, PRO, Chief Cosmas Ibeabuchi, the once-renowned school has become a shadow of its former self.

The Old Boys who visited their alma meta for on- the- spot assessment of the situation, were  “dismayed by the dilapidated structures in the school making the environment not conducive for learning”, the communique said.

They equally noted with grave concern that “members of staff of the school are poorly remunerated and demotivated”.

The Alumni, therefore, appealed to Abia State Government “to take over the school and ensure adequate remuneration to teachers in line with the Gov. Alex Otti’s vision on education.”

Noting that “Eziama High School is renowned for producing academic excellence and outstanding graduates”, the Old Boys expressed their readiness to collaborate with the State Government and other stakeholders to restore the glory of the school.

The Alumni also noted with sadness the encroachment of the school by land grabbers, and sought Government’s intervention in that regard.

“We call on Abia State Government to investigate the encroachment of the school land with a view to restoring the master plan and providing conducive environment for learning”, the communique read.

The Old Boys called on the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi,  “to pay a visit to the school and have a firsthand assessment of the situation.”

They however, commended the staff of the school  “who despite poor remuneration try to give their best to the students.”

Similarly, they applauded Gov. Otti for his special attention to the critical education sector particularly the free and compulsory education policy, renovation of schools, as well as mass recruitment of teachers, urging him to sustain the feat.

The Old Boys also noted with appreciation “the massive infrastructural developments in Aba under the current administration”.

Highlight of the AGM included the emergence of new executive to lead the Old Boys for the next two years; and the institution of award ceremony to recognize members with outstanding contributions to the Alumni Association.

The maiden awardees included Mazi Pius Okeke, and Chief Ijoma James who were honoured with Distinguished Service Awards; Maraizu Tony Aluka, and Osita Onumonu, who bagged Pillar of Support Awards; and Mazi Chibueze Iroh, and Chinasa Njibe who got Founder’s Legacy Awards.

A member of the Alumni and the immediate -past Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Abia State, Dr Orji Abali a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, delivered a lecture on ‘Healthy Lifestyle For People Above 50 Years’.

Similarly, Dr Dennis Ubani, a Senior Lecturer with the Abia State University Uturu, gave a keynote speech at the re-union titled:”Reunion of Minds: Empowering Legacy, Shaping Future”.

The re -union was attended by some diaspora Alumni members.