The Abia State government has taken action to seal off a property on Azikiwe Road, Aba, which was allegedly built on land belonging to Azikiwe Road Primary School in the commercial city.
The sealing exercise was carried out on Wednesday by personnel from the Aba South Town Planning Authority, who warned that anyone who attempts to unseal the property could face imprisonment or fine.
The statement on the banner used to seal the property read:
“Abia State Government. Aba South Local Government Town Planning Authority Pursuant to Section 70 of Abia State Urban and Regional Planning Board/Planning Authorities Law of Abia State 2005 as amended by Laws No.4 of 2015.
“This property is hereby sealed.”
The message also warned the unidentified builder of the project on the former school compound to stay away from the property.
However, Professor Ikechi Mgbeoji, a former Commissioner for Education under the administration of former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, has vehemently denied that the Azikiwe Road Primary School was sold during his tenure.
Reacting to the development, Mgbeoji described the information as wicked, malicious, and a false statement.
According to the former Commissioner, the property in question was a private school owned by the late Rev. Ogudoro, but it was acquired during a period when the government was taking over mission and private schools.
Mgbeoji further explained that the Azikiwe Road Primary School was subsequently returned to the estate of Rev. Ogudoro during his time as the Commissioner for Education.
“I served as the Commissioner for Education in Abia State from 2015 to 2019. It is completely false and malicious for anyone to claim that Azikiwe Road Primary School was ‘sold’ by the government during my tenure. This is a baseless statement. Azikiwe Road Primary School in Aba was originally a private school owned by the late Rev. Ogudoro.”
“When the government was taking over mission and private schools, the school was acquired by the government.
“During the tenure of Chief T.A. Orji, the government initiated a program to return mission and private schools to their original owners.
“While I served as Commissioner, the Azikiwe Road Primary School was returned to the estate of Rev. Ogudoro,” the former Commissioner explained.
Mgbeoji also mentioned that Clifford Road Primary School in Aba was similarly returned to the Assemblies of God Church, along with several other schools.
