Abia State Commissioner for Education, Professor Uche Eme Uche, has brought attention to a concerning issue before the Panel on the recovery of government properties and funds. Prof. Uche disclosed that approximately 300 government schools in the state have allegedly been seized by individuals and faith-based organizations, with some subsequently repurposed as relief markets and social event centers. Speaking at the Abia State Judiciary Panel of Inquiry in Umuahia, Prof. Uche emphasized that she made this discovery upon assuming office, signaling a systemic challenge that requires urgent attention.

Among the instances cited by Prof. Uche is the alleged takeover of Comprehensive Secondary School, Okpu-Umuobo in Osisioma Ngwa LGA, reportedly claimed by an individual under the guise of approval from the immediate past governor for a National Agricultural Land Development Agency (NALDA) project. Efforts to trace the documents related to such handovers were futile, she added, recounting an alarming incident where armed security personnel at the school purportedly fired a gunshot at her and her team during a visit. Prof. Uche highlighted the need for immediate intervention to safeguard the affected schools and ensure the continuity of education for the students, underscoring the severity of the situation.

In response to the crisis, Prof. Uche revealed that she had relocated the affected students to Obuwa Community School while also lodging a formal complaint with Governor Alex Otti. Additionally, she urged the Panel to investigate the operations of the Examination Development Center in Umuahia, signaling a broader call for accountability and transparency within the education sector. The revelations made by Prof. Uche underscore the urgency of addressing issues of governance and property rights to safeguard the future of education in Abia State.