Pupils of primary schools ravaged by flooded communities in Ogbaru local Government Area in Anambra State have abandoned them.
The pupils’ action followed the recent death of four of their
colleagues in the flood which swept across the communities after
torrential rains.
Parents and other residents, who spoke with The AUTHORITY during a
visit to the affected communities, said since the incidents occurred,
their children and wards no longer attend classes for fear of being
carried away or drowned in their flooded schools.
They appealed to Governor Willie Obiano to come to their rescue.
The affected communities are in Akili-Ogidi, Ogwu-Ikpele, Obeagwe and Ossomala in Ogbaru council.
The AUTHORITY noticed that several houses, primary and secondary school blocks in the areas were submerged.
The affected schools are Holy Trinity Primary and Secondary School,
Akili-Ogidi; St. Paul’s Comprehensive Secondary School, Ogwu-Ikpele;
King’s Primary School, Ogwu-Ikpele and Obeagwe Community School.
A student of St. Paul’s Comprehensive Secondary School, Ogwu-Ikpele,
Master Ezeobi Chidera, told The AUTHORITY that he was forced to stop
going to school by the flood, adding that the school alone has lost
three students to the flood.
“I stopped going to school because my parents advised me to stop. Three
of my friends are missing, and we believe that the flood killed them.
So many parents stopped their children from going to school”, he said,
adding that their church, Christ the King Catholic Church, Ogwu-Ikpele,
no longer records high attendance of worshippers because the flood is
almost covering the church building.
A teacher at the Holy Trinity Secondary School, Akili-Ogidi, Mr.
John-Bosco Okwughalu, who was heading to his school on boat with some of
his students, said that going to the area under the present condition
was for the strong-hearted.
“Though we have enough reasons not to go to school, the strong-hearted
would dare. Shunning school for fear of flood is not the best thing to
do. Some of us dare the flood and go to school. Though our schools are
submerged, we study at any available space where flood does not touch
terribly,” he said.
The Oduah of Obeagwe community, Chief John Nnabuife, told The
AUTHORITY that his area and the adjoining towns in Ogbaru were cheated
by nature and by the state government, stating that it was only God
that could save the situation.
Meanwhile, Governor Willie Obiano has created camps to accommodate the affected residents.
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