Idu Comprehensive High School, Idu-Obosiukwu which suffered heavy vandalization of all its valuables following the orgy of cult-related violence that engulfed Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) three years ago, is now back to its feet having received attention from both government and the multinational oil companies working in the area.
This revelation from Eze (Prince) Uche Umejuru, the Eze Okwu-Onu-Ka-Oha of Idu Ogba came amidst concerns expressed by a Non-Governmental Organization, International Associations of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA) that the college was in a deplorable condition and needed urged attention from government and multinational companies in the area.
The royal father who spoke to our reporter at his palace in Idu Obosiukwu on Monday, stated that while it is true that the college was heavily vandalized during the crisis period, most of the equipments lost to the vandals have since been replaced by Nigerian Agip Oil Company, one of the multinational oil companies doing business in the community.
IAWPA through the National Director of Protocols, Amb Jeff C. Moses Iyieke in a recent interview with journalists had expressed regret that the college which used to be the pride of Idu Ogba community, has become a shadow of itself due to neglect, citing forest of weeds and unkempt environment in the college.
“Idu Obosiukwu is the host community to LNG, Total E& P, & Agip. It is disheartening that the entire school are covered with grasses, reptiles etc. There is no enabling environment for learning. Staff, teachers and the Principal has no office, neither is there a Staff Room, the water system, electricity cables & school chairs are all vandalized”, Iyieke cried out.
But the Eze Okwu Onu Ka Oha insisted that there was no cause for alarm as all hands are now on deck to keep the college on track, adding that he recently had a group photograph with all the teachers and Principal to cement the resolve to move ahead.
“I can also tell you on good authority that the government, through the State Post Primary Schools Board has visited the college twice and the situation has been restored”, he explained.
He also revealed that contracts for the renovation of the college was awarded by the oil companies as enshrined in the MUO, but that the indigenous contractors who were given the job collected the money and vanished.
Eze Umejuru also disclosed that contrary to insinuations that the school was deserted, normal academic activity is in full swing, even as he said the WAEC examination was ongoing in the school.
On the recent rift between the Idu-Obosiukwu Community Development Committee (CDC) and Principal of the college, Mrs. Victoria Ugorji over allegations of frequent abstinence from school, Eze Umejuru explained that the Idu Obosiukwu Chief-in-Council had since understood that the Principal cited insecurity as reason for not being regular at her duty post, stating however that the matter has been resolved with the Principal reporting to school as at when due.
While commending Nigeria Agip Oil Company and other sister oil companies in the area for their support, the royal father urged them to do more considering the negative environmental impact of their activities on the community.
He also praised the government for rescinding the decision to close down the school, urging them to increase their presence through regular inspection and provision of necessary facilities to enhance learning.
Eze (Prince) Uche Umejuru also took a swipe on indigenous contractors who allegedly abandoned the contract to renovate Idu Comprehensive High School after receiving the contract sum, disclosing that he had raised a strong petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the accused contractors but for the timely intervention of some elders and opinion leaders of the community.
