Monarch Calls on Abia Government to Rehabilitate Community School and Health Centre

The traditional ruler of Oriendu Autonomous Community in Ohuhu clan, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, Eze Phillip Ajomiwe, has urged the Abia State Government to prioritise the rehabilitation of Oriendu Community Primary School, Ubaha, warning that its current condition undermines quality education in the rural area.

Speaking at his palace in Ubaha during the annual Iri Egwu/Igba Ekpe festival, the monarch said the school, established in the 1940s, has fallen into disrepair, with crumbling classrooms and a lack of basic facilities, including sanitation.

He noted that the school’s poor state has persisted for decades, despite its critical role in the educational development of the community. Eze Ajomiwe recalled that the last major intervention occurred during the administration of former Governor Theodore Orji and expressed disappointment that a planned junior secondary school for the community was never realised, leaving many pupils without access to local secondary education.

“I recognise the ongoing reforms under Governor Alex Otti’s administration, and I am confident the government will include the rehabilitation of the primary school and the revival of the long-delayed junior secondary school project in its development agenda,” he said. “Such intervention would improve learning conditions, reduce school dropouts, and support human capital development in the area.”

The monarch also called attention to other infrastructural needs, including the community’s main market, a key commercial hub for neighbouring areas. He urged government support to upgrade the market and improve sanitation and safety for traders and visitors.

In the health sector, Eze Ajomiwe appealed for the equipping of the community health centre, stressing that accessible and functional healthcare is vital for rural populations, particularly women, children, and the elderly.

Describing Oriendu as an agrarian community that serves as a gateway between Abia and Imo states, he further called for enhanced security patrols and surveillance around border areas to protect farmers, traders, and residents.

Beyond infrastructure, the monarch highlighted the cultural significance of the Ekpe festival in Igbo land, noting its role in promoting discipline, unity, and shared values. He emphasised the importance of preserving cultural practices and connecting younger generations with their heritage.

Eze Ajomiwe added that Abia State could generate revenue through properly developed cultural and recreational activities.