King Larry Ogbonnaya Agwu, the traditional ruler of Ajata-na-Igu Autonomous Community in Ikwuano Local Government Area (LGA), has strongly opposed plans to demolish a newly built four-classroom block at Umuigu Central School to make way for a proposed model classroom block by the Abia State Government. The announcement has sparked outrage among community leaders and residents, who view the move as unnecessary and potentially malicious.

The controversy arose following reports of ongoing demolitions of dilapidated classrooms at the school, prompting King Larry to intervene. “If you demolish the whole classrooms in the school, including the newly built one, will our children learn under the rains?” he questioned, urging the contractor on site to spare the modern classroom block, which was constructed in 2021. The traditional ruler confirmed he had personally engaged with the contractor to ensure the new structure remains untouched.

The four-classroom block was singlehandedly funded and built by Hon. Obinna Agaodi, a former councillor in the Ikwuano LGA Legislative Council, using personal resources. Commissioned in November 2021, the modern facility replaced a dilapidated structure, providing a conducive learning environment for students. Agaodi expressed dismay over what he described as a politically motivated plan by the Abia State Government, through the Commissioner for Works, to demolish the structure. “This action is not driven by public interest but by malicious intentions to erase the legacies of someone who served selflessly,” Agaodi stated, alleging that certain individuals within the community are complicit in the scheme.

Community leaders echoed these concerns. Retired Army Officer and community leader Amb. Col. D.E. Ugwuzor called the proposed demolition “an act of wickedness and sabotage” aimed at undermining the development of Umuigu Central School. He emphasized that the school premises have ample undeveloped land for new projects, making the demolition of a functional, recently built structure unnecessary. “Whatever motivated them to contemplate pulling down the classrooms—whether political, jealousy, pull-down syndrome, malice, or any other force—must not stand,” Ugwuzor declared.

The Education Secretary for Ikwuano LGA, Dr. Paul Udensi, clarified that while the government is demolishing dilapidated classrooms across the LGA to build new ones, he was unaware of any directive to demolish the new classroom block at Umuigu Central School. “I know the classrooms you are talking about; they are beautiful and in good condition. I don’t think anyone would demolish them,” Udensi said, noting that he had only seen unverified reports on social media.

A member of the School-based Management Committee, speaking anonymously, expressed confusion over the situation, stating that contractors had been shown empty plots for new constructions but insisted on demolishing existing classrooms. The member could not confirm whether the new block was targeted.

Agaodi has taken steps to escalate the issue, notifying the community’s two traditional rulers, the Chairman of Umuezeukwu, and submitting a formal letter to the Nigerian Senate to draw attention to the matter. He stressed that targeting a functional classroom block, built at no cost to the state, is “irrational, unjust, and unacceptable,” given the availability of undeveloped land for new projects.

he controversy highlights tensions over development priorities in Ikwuano, with community leaders and residents calling for the preservation of the new classroom block and urging the government to reconsider its plans to ensure continued access to quality education for local students.