Community head embarks on hunger strike over dilapidated school

By Feyi Afisunlu  Terseer Aadamu ( Review)on June 18, 2013

Chief Peter Nduche, village head of Ikot Ubo, Nsit Ibium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has embarked on a three-month hunger strike over the dilapidated state of the only secondary school in the area;Community Secondary School, Ikot Ubo.
DailyPost gathered that the village head commenced the hunger strike on June 15, noting that he is risking his life because of the love he has for his community.
Chief Nduche explained that the school serves over 2,000 students from Ikot Ubo and other neighbouring communities.
In his words, “We are not happy that the only secondary school in our domain has been neglected by successive governments, including the present government in the state, which claimed to have spent much money on school renovation.

“I can’t endure this type of abnormality any longer. If I die during the hunger strike, it will be alright, but if I survive it, it will also be alright; but all we are asking for is equity and fairplay. This
government cannot tell us that this school which was built in 1982 is not old enough for rehabilitation.
“Our children and teachers give daily report of snakes chasing them out of classes. If you look inside, you will know that grasses have taken over the school. You can see the fallen roofs everywhere. Yet, if you go to most parts of the state, you can’t see something like this.”
Nduche, who also doubles as the Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Conference of Village Heads in Nsit Ubium, emphasized that the village voted massively for Governor Godswill Akpabio and the Peoples Democratic Party, but wondered why the administration had abandoned the community.
Describing the bad state of the school, a native of the community, Theresa Okon said, “The buildings in the school are leaking; walls have cracked and fallen. There are no seats for students and staff. There are no toilets and no assembly hall.”