Following a protest by students of the Okezie School of Midwifery Abiriba, Abia State, the state government has relieved the embattled former acting principal of the institution, Mrs. Ogbonna Chituru Adiele, of her duties.
Recall that the students had protested against what they described as the embezzlement of funds intended for the smooth operation of the school, the misappropriation of the SUG ECG machine for personal gain, as well as the employment of ghost workers to embezzle money.
The protesting students had all come out in the open, inside the school premises, questioning the rationale behind some of her attitude towards her duties as the principal.
In a protest letter sighted by South-East PUNCH correspondent, the Students Union Government of the school, titled, ‘Petition for the Removal of the Head of our School, Acting Principal, Mrs. Ogbonna Chituru Adiele,’ the leadership of the union had urged the Abia State Commissioner for Health to investigate these allegations and take prompt action to ensure a fair and just educational environment.
Other grievances against the acting principal included prolonged absence from duty, neglecting responsibilities, poor academic management that is detrimental to students’ education, as well as usurping duties properly delegated to the Vice Principal, Administration; Examination Committee, and School Accounting Services.
The protest letter, which was signed by the President, Comrade Uche Maximus Chibuikem, and General Secretary, Immaculata Anyanwu respectively, said it was due to the grave concerns raised regarding her leadership and management of the school that compelled them to seek her removal, even as the union requested a response regarding the actions government takes to address the students’ concerns.
When contacted, the embattled acting principal, who said she was on her way to Umuahia and would be available at 11 am at the state secretariat at Ogurube Layout, Umuahia, refused to take calls from our reporter on her cell phone contact.
But acting swiftly on the protest as well as protest letter from the students, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo, suspended the former head of the school and replaced her with Mrs. Okorie Comfort James, for the smooth running of the school.
