Abia Gov’t fires embattled acting principal of school of midwifery

Abia State government has taken decisive action by officially terminating the appointment of Mrs. Ogbonna Chituru Adiele, the embattled acting principal, and relieving her of her responsibilities.

Recall, the students of Okezie School of Midwifery in Abiriba, Abia State, had staged a protest, levying serious allegations against the acting principal, Mrs. Ogbonna Chituru Adiele, including the mismanagement of funds meant for the school’s operation, the unauthorized use of the Student Union Government’s (SUG) ECG machine for personal benefit, and the recruitment of fictitious employees to siphon funds.

The protesting students had all come out in the open, inside the school premises, questioning the rationale behind some of her attitude towards her duties as the principal.

In a protest letter sighted to correspondent, the Students Union Government of the school, titled, ‘Petition for the Removal of the Head of our School, Acting Principal, Mrs. Ogbonna Chituru Adiele,’ the leadership of the union had urged the Abia State Commissioner for Health to investigate these allegations and take prompt action to ensure a fair and just educational environment.

Other grievances against the acting principal included prolonged absence from duty, neglecting responsibilities, poor academic management that is detrimental to students’ education, as well as usurping duties properly delegated to the Vice Principal, Administration; Examination Committee, and School Accounting Services.

The protest letter, which was signed by the President, Comrade Uche Maximus Chibuikem, and General Secretary, Immaculata Anyanwu respectively, said it was due to the grave concerns raised regarding her leadership and management of the school that compelled them to seek her removal, even as the union requested a response regarding the actions government takes to address the students’ concerns.

When reached for comment, the embattled former acting principal, Mrs. Ogbonna Chituru Adiele, who was en route to Umuahia at the time, indicated that she would be available to speak at 11 am at the state secretariat located at Ogurube Layout, Umuahia.

In a prompt response to the students’ protest and their written complaint, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo, took decisive action by immediately suspending the embattled acting principal, Mrs. Ogbonna Chituru Adiele, and appointing Mrs. Okorie Comfort James as her replacement.