Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Old Boys of Eziama High School Aba, have called on Abia State Government to quickly take over the school and save it from total collapse following continued infrastructural dilapidation.
They made the call in a communique issued after the end of the Old Boys Association, 1988 Class Re-union Annual General Meeting.
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 Association decried the sorry state of the school which, according to them, is now a shadow of its former glory.
Eziama High School Aba, was among the schools Abia State Government handed over to churches that originally owned them some years ago.
The Old Boys who visited their alma mater for on-the-spot assessment of the situation, expressed dismay over the rate of deterioration in the once famous school, which according to them, is no longer conducive for learning.
“We also noted with grave concern that members of staff of the school are poorly remunerated and demotivated,” the communique read.
Stressing the need for urgent action, the Old Boys, 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.”
The Old Boys further expressed their readiness to make their own contribution towards rebuilding the school, vowing not to allow their alma mater which they said, “is renowned for producing academic excellence and outstanding graduates,” to collapse.
They 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 first-hand assessment of the situation.”
Meanwhile, the Old Boys 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.”
Highlights of the AGM include 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 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 Old Boys 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.’
In the same vein, 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 the Future.”
