Delta Uncovers 36 Public Schools Vandalized In One Month, Raises The Alarm Of Frequent Act
No fewer than thirty-six public schools’ facilities were reportedly vandalized in the last one month across the state by suspected hoodlums who are currently operating in the nooks and cranny of the state.
Though no arrest has been made, but the state Commissioner for Education, Mr. Chiedu Ebie who confirmed the activities of yet unidentified hoodlums to journalists yesterday, called on communities where educational facilities are located in the state to ensure the protection of the facilities against vandalism.
Noting with palpable fear of the unknown, the Commissioner said: “the frequent vandalization of public schools’ facilities is alarming, government is afraid of such activities by yet unidentified hoodlums.”
He said it was disheartening to spend lots of money in the renovation of schools, only for the schools to be vandalized after a couple of weeks/months later adding that “the perpetrators of the crimes were within various communities where the schools are renovated.”
The Commissioner called for the support of communities to intensify the level of co-operation that given to the state government educational facilities in their respective communities, disclosing that government was not going to renovate vandalized facilities that was not protected from vandals.
He said: “if communities don’t protect schools’ facilities in their respective areas, don’t blame us if we don’t come to do any renovation or intervention in such a school because it has gone beyond the breaking point now” and urged various communities to step up their game in the protection of educational facilities in their areas.
Meanwhile, former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Head of Service in the defunct Bendel State, Chief Patrick Onyeobi, has identified poverty, unemployment and frustration as factors responsible for the hate speeches across the country in recent times.
Onyeobi said that the entanglement has become increasingly delicate hence, if not appropriately managed; it could degenerate into unimaginable scenarios.
According to him, the hate speeches became even more unnecessary, considering the fact that the current generation of Nigerian are better formally educated and this should understand the implications of their actions.
He stressed the need for the Federal Government to give special attention to the unemployment question, which he said is threatening the nation’s corporate existence.
“It is a delicate situation because it can develop into situations we do not expect. If people are fully employed and engaged, they cannot make hate speeches.
Most of the youths are not happy, hence, they engage in acts that are destabilizing across the country. There is serious problems confronting us,” he said.
“Agriculture, which was initially viable was neglected because of the oil, hence; the country was subjected to the whims and caprices of international market forces. Some countries who don’t have oil, have other natural resources which they depend on and help them to maintain social stability. The purpose of government is service to the people. If the governed is not happy, you have a very serious problem in your hands.”
Nosa Akenzua, Asaba
