By Gabriella Ogbu
The Abia State Government has launched a special committee to address the issue of embezzled public school lands. This initiative, spearheaded by Pastor Caleb Ajagba, the Governor’s Chief of Staff, is designed to reclaim land illegally taken from approximately 180 public schools during the previous administration. The committee comprises key officials including the Commissioner for Justice, Lands and Housing, the General Manager of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority, the General Manager of the Greater Aba Development Authority, and the Chief Security Officer to the Governor.
In a briefing following this week’s State Executive Council meeting, Prince Okey Kanu, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, detailed the committee’s mandate. He underscored that the government will not tolerate the greed and impunity of individuals who have seized land meant for educational institutions. Kanu also condemned the misuse of schools handed over to various organizations, emphasizing that these schools should solely be used for educational purposes.
The state government has called for the return of schools mismanaged by other entities. Kanu stressed that schools must be dedicated to their instructional roles and advised those struggling to manage them to return the facilities to the government.
In addition to addressing land recovery, Kanu announced a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation of the state’s educational system. He revealed that a summer capacity-building program will engage 12,000 public school teachers in preparation for the government’s upcoming reforms, set to be implemented in September.
The Federal College of Education, Ofeme, located in Umuahia North LGA, has commenced operations with substantial support from the Abia State Government. The college has been provided with an office at Okpara Roundabout to facilitate a smooth operational start.
On security and infrastructure developments, Kanu warned that vehicles without license plates or those with obscured plates will face stricter enforcement from security personnel. He also highlighted ongoing and upcoming projects, including the continuation of the “Light Up Abia” initiative and the expansion of rural electrification across the state’s three senatorial zones. More than 2,500 solar-powered light panels have been installed, connecting remote areas such as Abia State University in Uturu with key cities.
The government plans to distribute 50 transformers to various communities and revitalize water projects in Ariaria and Ubakala. Ikechukwu Monday, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, announced that two water schemes funded by USAID will be redesigned to serve 320 homes each, totaling 640 homes.
In response to rumors regarding the removal of staff from Dr. Eberechukwu Oji, the recently crowned Eze Aro, Ferdinand Ekeoma, the governor’s special adviser on media and publicity, confirmed that these rumors are unfounded. He affirmed that the government follows a strict procedure for recognizing and appointing officials.
Mr. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, also provided updates on the documentation of the government’s achievements.
