By: Ike Philip Abiagom

The once-vibrant Ibusa Mixed Secondary School in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State is now in urgent need of help. The school, which has served as a foundation for countless students across Igbuzo and neighbouring communities, is facing serious infrastructural and academic challenges that threaten its continued existence.

According to Newsbreeze findings, the school has been unable to secure WAEC accreditation due to poor facilities, particularly the absence of well-equipped science laboratories and inadequate fencing separating the primary and secondary sections.

Newsbreeze, described the situation as “deeply worrying,” stressing that teachers and students are doing their best under very difficult conditions.

“The School laboratories are empty, and this has prevented WAEC from granting the School accreditation for many years now.

“The classrooms need furniture,some students are sitting on bare floor(Blocks), though they were given 100 sets of chairs last month by Isunambogu Social Club, an Indigenous Igbuzo social Club does not still solve the furniture problem as most students are still sitting on blocks, the school perimeter fence has collapsed, and there is no solid school gate to secure the compound. We are appealing to the government, well-meaning individuals, and Igbuzo indigenes to come to their aid as Education is suffering in Igbuzo.”

The major needs of the school include:

Fencing off the primary section from the secondary school.

Equipping the science laboratories with necessary materials for WAEC accreditation.

Repairing the dilapidated perimeter fence.

Installing a solid school gate for proper security.

Providing furniture for students and staff.

Mr Emma Amatokwu aka Kwasa echoed the same concerns, noting that the poor state of infrastructure has discouraged learning and lowered enrollment.

“This school once produced some of the best students in the local government, but today, our children learn under leaking roofs and broken chairs,” Mr. Amatokwu lamented. “If urgent attention is not given, the future of many bright children will be at risk. We are appealing to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and our local leaders to intervene quickly.”

Parents and community stakeholders have joined the call, urging the Delta State Government, Oshimili North Local Government Council, and philanthropic individuals to take immediate action.

Restoring Ibusa Mixed Secondary School, they said, is not just about fixing buildings — it is about preserving the dreams of young students who depend on education as their pathway to a better future.

Okpanam community in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State has appealed to the state government to end what they described as a “campaign of distraction” against their monarch by a some individuals within the community undermining the authority of the Ugoani.

They decried the incessant litigations and petitions filed against their traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Michael Mbanefo Ogbolu. Their worries stemmed from the activities of individuals who are bent in converting de-acquired parts of community land to themselves.

Some of the community leaders and youths carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Stop the False Petitions,” “Let Our King Reign in Peace,” and “Okpanam Stands with the Ugoani,” sang songs of peace and solidarity while calling on the Delta State Government to intervene and end what they described as a “campaign of distraction” against their monarch.

Addressing the crowd, the Ugoani of Okpanam, His Royal Majesty Dr. Michael Mbanefo Ogbolu, voiced deep concern over the continuous litigations and false allegations aimed at undermining his leadership. He explained that the crisis began after the state government de-acquired part of Okpanam’s land earlier taken for the expansion of the Asaba International Airport.

According to him, although the acquisition was handled in good faith by the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who after interventions, the state government de-acquired parts of the land and return to the community and was gazetteed in Pointer newspaper. However, some individuals within the community who are driven by greed, forged documents and signatures in an attempt to resell the de-acquired land.

“These are people from within Okpanam who have allowed greed to drive them into the illegal sale of our communal land,” the monarch said. “They falsified documents and even the signatures of our elders to mislead the public. I have gone to court to prove my innocence and expose the truth. The government and elders know that this land rightfully belongs to Okpanam.”

He lamented that internal efforts to settle the dispute had failed due to the involvement of external influences but maintained his desire for peace and reconciliation. “As a father, I still pray for them to return home, seek forgiveness, and be reintegrated into the community. But until then, the law must take its course,” he added.

The President-General of the Okpanam Community, Dr. Paul Nwayilani, recounted that the issue had persisted for years due to the actions of a few land speculators colluding with outsiders. He noted that while the community once sued the state government over compensation for the airport land, the case was withdrawn after assurances that part of the land would be returned which the government did.

“Sadly, some individuals secretly went behind the community to re-acquire the same land for personal gain,” Nwayilani said. “They forged documents, filed false petitions, and even dragged our monarch to court. I was arrested simply for exposing their deceit. But the truth will always prevail.”

He expressed faith that the government was aware of the real situation and urged it to protect the traditional institution. “We are not against development,” he said. “All we ask for is fairness and peace. Our monarch has always worked for the progress of Okpanam. These false litigations must stop.”

Also speaking, the Youth Chairman of Obodogba Quarters, Mr. Chukwuma Agbamujor, voiced the frustration of the younger generation over the continued attempts to discredit the Ugoani.

“Our king is a peaceful and caring leader who has always had the interest of the people at heart,” he said. “It is painful to see him constantly dragged into petitions and court cases. We call on both the Federal and State Governments to intervene and stop these malicious acts by selfish individuals.”

Describing the perpetrators as “rebellious elements and land grabbers,” Agbamujor reaffirmed the youths’ support for the monarch. “We will not allow anyone to destroy our heritage. Let peace reign in Okpanam,” he declared.

The peaceful demonstration ended with chants for peace, unity, and divine justice. Community leaders reaffirmed their loyalty to the Ugoani and urged the Delta State Government to act swiftly to protect the traditional institution from further harassment through frivolous petitions and litigations over land matters.