HISTORY MADE AS MBAISE NATION CELEBRATED A NON FEE PAYING SPECIAL VOCATIONAL COLLEGE, ESTABLISHED BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AT AMUZI MBAISE.
Amuzi-Ahiazu Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria, March 2, 2022: A special non-fee-paying Vocational College, located at Umuokisi Amuzi in Ahiazu-Mbaise Local Government Area, which was completed by the Federal Government and handed over to the State Government in late 2019, got no formal reception by the host community, due to COVID-19 pandemic, until now.
The usually serene school in a rural community of Umuokisi Amuzi Ahiazu Mbaise, suddenly transformed into a beehive of activities with the influx of guests from a cross-section of the community, including academics, politicians, school administrators, traditional rulers, community leaders, religious, students, various organizations and others.
The dignitaries present to herald the historic event were, Nigeria’s two-times Minister of State for Education, and Foreign Affairs Her Excellency Professor Viola Onwuliri, Chairman Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area Council of Traditional rulers, HRH Eze MM Nwaturuocha, HRH Eze Barr Ekeocha, HRH Eze Dr James Okoronkwo. President General Ezuruezu Mbaise Barr Cy Anyanwu, Deputy Director Zonal Education Board Mr Isiguzo, The Principal of the School Mrs Ngozi Nwagbaraocha, High Chief Athan Obinna, Sir Amby Unaeze, the event Chairman Chief Victor Echeibe who also represented HRH Eze Innocent Ugochukwu, Chief Jude Agoh, Mr Joachim Iheanacho, Mr Elvis Nwachukwu, Mr Eugene Osuji, Hon Uche Chris Agomuo, Special Advisers ( Mr Uwandu Olelewe and Mr Charles Adjaero) to member representing Ahiazu LGA at the Imo State House of Assembly Hon Sam Otuibe, PDP Amuzi Chapter Chairman Mr Chibuike Echeibe, Chief Joe Kemdirim, Very Rev Fr Dr Teddy Uwakwe, Very Rev Fr.Leonard Ugbor, Very Rev Dr Chris Akuchie, Rev Fr Paschal Njoku, Rev Fr. Chinomso Okonko, Mr Ugochi Ogbonna, Mr and Mrs Dozie Onwuliri, Secretary Amuzi Widows Association Mrs Grace Opara, Mrs Patty Ihetuge, Presidents and Secretaries of some of the Village and Kindred meeting of Amuzi-Ahiazu and Ogwu-Aboh Mbaise,. Also in attendance were representatives of various organizations including the Patriotic Citizens of Amuzi (PCA), Mbaise Policy Roundtable (MPR) among others.
It must be recalled that shortly after assuming her role as Nigeria’s Minister of State for Education, Her Excellency. Noble Lady, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, an ex-minister for Foreign Affairs, as well as a daughter of Amuzi, facilitated the allocation of the unique Federal Government Special Vocational College to Mbaise. In her welcome address the school Principal Mrs Ngozi Nwagbaraocha read that, “The school was established by the Federal Government under the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Special Vocational school project in 2014/2015. The project was attracted by our amiable Mother, an educationist with a heart of gold, in the person of Professor Mrs Viola Onwuliri, former Minister of Education.” She however lamented that “some of the school’s facilities have been vandalized by hoodlums whom I referred as enemies of progress. If one should take his/her time to go inside the classroom and offices, you will weep based on the level of destruction done by hoodlums. It is painful, and I wish to state here that security men are needed to secure the property”
Continuing, she declared, “distinguished guests, I wish to inform you all that Vocational College has come to stay, here in Umuokisi, Amuzi Ahiazu Mbaise. The school is a Vocational College owned and managed by Imo State Government, not a private school as people speculate, it is hence free tuition like other schools.”
“Therefore, I wish to inform parents /guardians to bring their children/wards here for effective teaching and learning. It should be noted that the school is not only for boys, rather a co-education. We equally admit girls.”
Other highlights of the day were gifts of bags, exercise books, and pens to the students, food and drinks sponsored by Her Excellency Professor Onwuliri, Prince Professor Eddie Oparaoji, Hon Uche Agomuo (Hon member representing Amuzi/ Ihenweorie ward in the Ahiazu LG Council, Mr Chibuike Echibe, Hon Sam Otuibe (member representing Ahiazu Mbaise in the Imo State of Assembly). Mr and Mrs Dozie Onwuliri, Controller Ali Achilonu, Mrs Angela Nwachukwu, Engr Ali Adjaero and Barr Maxwell Opara.
The event concluded on a solemn note, with the St Jude’s Amuzi Parish Priest, Very Rev. Leo Ugbor and his team of priests celebrated the Ash Wednesday service and ceremony, and distributed ashes to those requesting.
MPR 