By Ngwuoke Ngwuoke

The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Diocese of Enugu North has debunked allegations that it is neglecting and mismanaging Affairs at Colliery Comprehensive Technical College, Ngwo.

Last week, Donald Agu, who introduced himself to newsmen as Founder and Chairman of Old Students Association of Colliery Comprehensive Technical College Ngwo, alleged that the management of the school, formally known as Colliery Comprehensive Secondary School Ngwo, has been characterised by neglect, dilapidation and mismanagement since the Church took it over in 2009.

In a swift reaction, the Church described the allegations as false, baseless and misleading.

Speaking on behalf of the Church, Venerable Professor Madubuko Cyril Ubesie, Chairman, State School Based Management Committee said the allegations are coming from persons pursuing personal and selfish agenda and should therefore be disregarded.

“To start with, I want to state that the Church is in close and regular contact with the authentic Chairman and other members of the Old Students Association of the school and they have been commending our intervention efforts in the school management. It is therefore doubtful if the persons that spoke with you are members of the Association.

“To put the records straight, Colliery Comprehensive Technical College was among the schools taken over by the government after the Nigerian civil war in 1970. It was not until 2010 that the school came under joint management of Enugu State Government and the Church. The Church was granted full management of the school just 2 years ago, in 2023.”

Ven. Prof Ubesie said since it took full responsibility of managing the school, the Mission has initiated and executed a lot of wonderful and worthwhile projects to reposition the institution.

“For example, with a school fee of only N9,800.00 per term for junior students and N10,500.00 per term for senior students, the school charges the least among Mission schools in this area.

“From this meagre resources, the Mission has done some interventions which include addressing the manpower deficit in the school by employing 17 additional teachers to supplement those employed and being paid by the government.

“We have renovated the Administration and examination halls as well as the Principal’s house while other works are on going.

“In terms of school population, it is laughable that someone can say we have only one hundred students. This is not true as we have more than 400 students in Colliery Comprehensive Technical College as at today.”

The Chairman also addressed allegations that the Church is running a non – existent College of Education, using part of the school compound.

“This is another lie from the pit of hell. The College of Education we are running was approved by the appropriate authorities both at the Federal and State levels. The records are there.

“We are temporarily using a section of the school premises pending when work is completed at the Permanent site. The College of Education operates on a part-time basis with students having physical contacts only on weekends.

“It is ridiculous that someone can say we are running a non-existent College of Education. We have verifiable members of Council comprising prominent indigenes of Ngwo and former students of the school.

“They include Prof Agu Gab Agu (Chairman), Minister of State for External Affairs, Chief Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Chief Nnia Nwodo – a former President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Prof Chijioke Agbo, Prof Okey Orji of Enugu State University of science and Technology (ESUT), Arc Sir Okechukwu Chukwuogor, Rt Rev Dr Onyeka Onyia, Rt Rev Dr Emma Ugwu – Bishop Emeritus of Awgu Aninri, Dr Sir Dickson Ani – Managing Director Unity Hospital and Maternity Ngwo and representatives of the Federal and State Ministries of Education.

“Can these calibre of people be on the Council of a non – existent school? These people are mischief makers who have proved to be enemies of the Church,” he said.

Prof Ubesie has some words of advice for the people.

“I advise the people of Ngwo to disregard the people spreading this blasphemy. Their aim is to drag the name of the Church in the mud. Their mission is to sow a seed of discord between the Church and the people and attempt to discredit the Church before the Government. They shall not succeed because the facts are there for all to see,” Ubesie said.

Also speaking, the Arch Bishop’s Administrative Secretary, Rev. Canon Lemuel Onu dismissed claims that the Old Boys Association were denied access to the Arch Bishop.

“Nobody has ever come with the name to see the Arch Bishop.

“I have been in this office for a couple of years now. Even before His Lordship became the Archbishop, I have been his Admin Assistant, I
have never received any such letter. I have also not ignored any call or text message from anybody or group seeking to see the Arch Bishop, not to talk of turning them down.

“So whoever that stopped them we don’t know about that,” Rev Canon Onu said.

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