Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has directed the immediate rehabilitation of Ibeama Primary School, Ndume Otuka, the alma mater of Nigeria’s first military Head of State, the late General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, alongside the reconstruction of the road leading to his ancestral home.
The governor issued the directive at the weekend during a civic reception organised in honour of the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Austin Nmeregini, at the premises of the historic primary school in Umuahia North Local Government Area.
Responding to requests presented by community leaders during the event, Otti instructed the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Otumchere Oti, to immediately inspect the road linking the community to the late military leader’s residence and submit a comprehensive report to facilitate its rehabilitation.
The governor also directed the Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) to commence arrangements for the speedy renovation of Ibeama Primary School.
“The first request is the road that leads to General Ironsi’s house. I will direct the Commissioner for Works to go and inspect it and report back to me.
“The second is the school. We are rehabilitating schools across the state, and this one will not be left out. The ASUBEB Chairman should return here on Monday and begin the process of fast-tracking the rehabilitation of the school,” Otti said.
The governor explained that the planned intervention forms part of his administration’s broader programme of renovating and upgrading public primary schools across the 17 local government areas of Abia State.
He reiterated his government’s commitment to expanding access to quality education while improving critical infrastructure in communities across the state.
Otti also expressed appreciation to the people of Ndume Otuka for their continued support and confidence in his administration.
He assured residents that more developmental projects would be executed across various communities as part of efforts to improve living standards and promote inclusive development.
Earlier in the event, the President-General of the Ndume Otuka Development Union, Okezie Onyemauwa, alongside community leader Chimezie Ndukwe, commended Governor Otti for his developmental initiatives across the state.
They appealed to the governor to prioritise the rehabilitation of the road leading to the ancestral home of the late General Aguiyi-Ironsi and to restore the primary school where the former Head of State received his early education.
According to them, both facilities hold significant historical value and deserve urgent government attention.
In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Austin Nmeregini, expressed gratitude to Governor Otti for honouring the invitation despite what he described as the governor’s demanding official schedule.
He said the governor’s attendance demonstrated his commitment to grassroots development and his willingness to identify directly with the people.
The civic reception attracted several prominent personalities, including senior government officials, members of the state legislature and political stakeholders.
Among those in attendance were former senatorial candidate, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, and the member representing Isiala Ngwa North/Isiala Ngwa South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ginger Onwusibe.
