Otti Orders Rehabilitation of Ironsi’s Alma Mater

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has directed the immediate rehabilitation of Ibeama Primary School in Ndume Otuka, the school attended by Nigeria’s first military Head of State, the late General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi.

The governor also approved plans for the rehabilitation of the road leading to the late military leader’s ancestral home following requests from members of the community.

Otti gave the directives during a civic reception organised in honour of the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Austin Nmeregini. The event took place at the premises of Ibeama Primary School in Umuahia North Local Government Area.

Responding to appeals made by community leaders, the governor instructed the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Otumchere Oti, to visit the road leading to General Aguiyi-Ironsi’s residence, assess its condition and submit a report that would guide its rehabilitation.

He also directed the Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) to begin the process of restoring the primary school without delay.

According to the governor, the rehabilitation of the school forms part of his administration’s wider programme to improve public schools across all 17 local government areas of Abia State. He assured the community that the historic school would be included in the ongoing projects.

Otti thanked the people of Ndume Otuka for their continued support and assured them that his administration would continue to provide infrastructure and other development projects in different parts of the state.

Earlier at the event, the President-General of the Ndume Otuka Development Union, Okezie Onyemauwa, alongside Chimezie Ndukwe, praised the governor for the development projects already carried out in the state. They appealed to him to rehabilitate both the road leading to General Aguiyi-Ironsi’s home and the primary school where the former military leader received his early education.

In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Austin Nmeregini, appreciated Governor Otti for attending the event despite his official engagements. He said the governor’s presence reflected his commitment to the welfare of the people and the development of the state.

The civic reception was attended by senior government officials, members of the Abia State House of Assembly, political leaders and other stakeholders. Among those present were former senatorial candidate, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, and the member representing Isiala Ngwa North and Isiala Ngwa South Federal Constituency, Ginger Onwusibe.