Despite strong efforts by the current management to reposition the 45-year-old Federal College of Education, Eha Amufu, Enugu State, activities of vandals, arsonists, and naysayers continue to undermine progress at the school, reports Lawrence Njoku.
Background of the College
The Federal College of Education, Eha Amufu, was established in 1981 by the then Anambra State government to promote teacher education and ensure efficient management. The federal government took over the college in 1993, leading to infrastructural improvements, proper staffing, enhanced training, and increased funding. Recently, the government granted dual approval for the college to award diplomas and degrees in education.
Challenges from Arson and Vandalism
However, a series of arson attacks, vandalism, theft, and land encroachment are seriously challenging the academic vision and ideals of the school. The college, located in the heart of Eha Amufu with a three-campus structure, has become a target for hoodlums. For instance, the school currently operates without public power supply, its water plant has been vandalized, and a recent fire outbreak destroyed a multi-million-naira building housing several offices, resulting in the loss of important documents.
Details of the Fire Incident
Investigation into the fire incident, which occurred in the first week of March, revealed a pattern of operation by those behind the untoward practices. While the facility was burning and attention focused on quenching the fire, the perpetrators carted away valuables from other sections of the school. Deputy Provost Dr. Samuel Odo told The Guardian that the fire consumed an entire one-storey building housing the NCE exam unit, records unit, PDE unit, and Council Chamber, among other offices. The Procurement Unit was saved only because it had been relocated months earlier.
Odo added that the school was preparing to host a council meeting the day after the incident. He narrated further losses: the arsonists removed all wires in the ICT unit of the School of Arts and Social Sciences and took everything from the Music Department office, including wires. This incident followed a previous pattern where arsonists set fire near the college council area, and while security men battled the fire, others came to the admin block and stole three air conditioners, which were later recovered from nearby bushes.
Previous Incidents
Another previous incident occurred at the new building housing the e-library, but security men were able to contain the spread using water tankers. Before the latest incident, the arsonists had disconnected the school from public power supply three months earlier by uprooting the armored cable supplying power to the school transformer, which cost millions of naira. This left the school in darkness, aiding their nefarious activities.
To address the power shortage, the college purchased a generator and placed it in the students' common room to allow them to charge their phones and other gadgets during the day. However, the college spends heavily on fuel for generators both for the school and the common room.
Water Crisis
The college has been without water since 2023 after the newly installed water treatment plant was vandalized. Although two vandals were arrested, their trial has not been concluded. The vandalized facility was worth over N50 million. Students now line up with water cans behind Geepee tanks, waiting to be filled from school water tankers that draw water from Ebonyi River, which is unsafe for drinking.
Security Concerns
Odo attributed the scale of atrocities to the porous nature of the college, which has remained unfenced since its inception. Everywhere is a thoroughfare, making it hard to demarcate the school from the neighboring community. However, no attacks on students have occurred within the college. Odo stressed the need to fence the college.
Management's Achievements
Despite these challenges, Odo noted that the school has witnessed massive transformation since Provost Prof. Pauline Ikwuegbu assumed office. She has attracted TETFund projects worth several millions of naira, both completed and ongoing, which have changed the face of the college. No fewer than 80 staff have benefited from TETFund workshop or conference interventions. The school has also boosted revenue through agricultural opportunities in poultry and piggery.
Last year, the federal government elevated the college to a degree-awarding institution in education, enabling it to award diplomas and degrees in education.
Response to Allegations
Reacting to recent reports about corruption and mismanagement, Odo dismissed them as false. He addressed allegations that the provost diverted three buses worth N300 million to her personal school, stating that these were constituency projects brought through the college as an advisory agent. One bus was for the college, and the other two were given to schools in Ibagwa, Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area, in 2023. The college published its investigation findings.
Regarding TETFund allegations, Odo stated that the provost has given TETFund interventions to over 70 staff between 2018 and 2024, and documents are available to prove this. He said the falsehoods began as her tenure nears its end, aimed at tarnishing her hard-earned image.
Odo, a graduate of the college from about 30 years ago, noted that previous provosts also faced fabricated stories from those who wanted to succeed them or had other interests. He emphasized that the college will not forget Ikwuegbu's legacies, as she is the first female provost and has achieved what male provosts could not: improved hostels, classrooms, and tarred internal roads. He concluded that those who vandalize and set property ablaze are trying to undermine her efforts but have failed.
