… As 100 Students Faces Expulsion If Found Wanting
By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye,
For the prompt intervention of the Ughelli Monarch, the Local Government Chairman and Community Leaders, Ekiugbo Grammar School Ughelli, in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State would have been closed down by the Delta State Government over an attack on the School Principal and damaging of school properties, principals vehicle and other staff vehicle by students.
It could be recalled that students of Ekuigbo Grammar School in Ughelli recently staged a violent attack against the school authority for trying to correct one of the students who was alleged to be a comedian but adorned in secret cult like attires.
In a fact finding mission and possible closure of the school today, December 1, 2021, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs. Rose Ezewu, in company of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry and some Board Members, said government will no longer tolerate excesses of student’s destroying government properties at will and attacking teachers who are out to shape their life and guide them through to their future.
Mrs. Ezewu who was visibly bittered over the manner at which the rampaging students attacked and damage properties including personal vehicles, called on parents to work on their children in other not to incur the wrath of the government for their children inordinate behaviours.
The meeting which was held at the Conference Hall of the Ughelli North Local Government Secretariat, had the Executive Chairman of the Local Government, Chief Godwin Adode, representative of the Ovie of Ughelli and President General of Ughelli Descendant Union, Chief Pius Omobaye, JP, President of Ekiugbo Community, Ekiugbo Grammar School Principal and the PTA Chairman.
Narrating his order, the Principal of the School, revealed that trouble started when one of his students who claimed to be a comedian was adorned in a secret cult like manner and flagging a beret to school at about 9:05am on the particular day, and not being in conformity with the school uniform, the Principal invited the student, but he was said to have ignored the invitation which infuriated the principal to invite the men of the local vigilante group.
He said; the student was apprehended by the group and taken away to their office, but other students who were not comfortable with the decision of the principal began a protest which escalated to throwing of stones at the principal. Sensing danger, the Principal ran to his office and locked himself, but that couldn’t stop the enraged students as they match straight to the principal office throwing stones at the window glasses, pulling down doors and frames while others smashes windscreen of the principal vehicle and that of other staff.
Continuing he said, he immediately called the vigilante group to bring back the students for peace to reign. He further disclosed that the student was brought to the school and carried shoulder high by his colleagues while teachers scampered for safety. He said for not being lynched by the students, teachers posted to the school are now scared and afraid of going to school.
Reacting, both the Ughelli North Local Government Chairman, the Ekiugbo Community President and the Ovie of Ughelli through the President General of Ughelli Kingdom, Chief Pius Omobaye, appealed to the Commissioner not to close down the school but promise to work with the school authority and Chief Inspector of Education in the area to ensure that any student involved in the dastardly act is duly punished while strong measures will be put in place to guide against future occurrence.
While condemning the act, in their different speeches, since about 100 students who took part in the protest has been identified, there are plans on ground to ensure that anyone involved is brought to book.
Responding, the permanent Secretary in the ministry on behalf of the Commissioner appreciated all, noting that their plea will be looked into but gave a week grace for them give a feed back before the ministry will submit their report to the governor for further action.
On her part, the Commissioner warned that government properties must not be tampered as the economy is not balanced and as such, government infrastructures must be protected at all level especially in any learning institution.