Success Adegor’s Video: CASER Carpets Delta Govt
- Demands recall of suspended Headmistress
BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – The Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights (CASER) has carpeted Delta State government for what it described as ‘shameless scapegoatism’ in suspending the Head Teacher of Okotie-Eboh Primary School in Sapele Local Government Area, Mrs Vero Igbigwe, over the viral video where little Success Adegor was sent home for failing to pay her examination levies.
The embarrassing video captured and relayed on social media the state of dilapidation and decadence in the public primary school.
Consequently, the Rights group has given the Delta State Government 48 hours to rescind the suspension order or have its officials dragged before anti-corruption agencies for corruption and acts of criminality against the Nigerian child.
“We state in emphatic terms that if by the end of 48 hours from today, the suspension of Mrs. Igbigwe is not rescinded by the Delta State Government, CASER shall make haste to compel the EFCC to arrest, investigate and prosecute the officials of the Delta State Government, beginning with the Commissioner for Education and many others”, the body warned.
CASER insisted that officials of the Delta State Government should be in prison for corruption and criminal neglect of the primary school rather than assigning blame for their failure to the poor Headmistress.
The organization also said the State government cannot shamelessly deflect public attention away from their incompetence that made Mrs Igbigwe to adopt unauthorized means to source for school maintenance funds in such an undignified manner.
It stated that the Delta state government’s action in suspending the Head Teacher can be “likened to the unforgiving servant in the parable of the Lord Jesus Christ who was forgiven of a big debt only to go and send another fellow servant to prison for failing to pay a very small and insignificant debt.”
According to CASER Executive Director, Frank Tietie; “Can we attempt to compare the offence of the teacher to that of the political leaders and administrators of the state who have presumably stolen billions of Naira yet they are walking free and enjoying their ill gotten wealth? They are the ones to face the prosecutorial music first before the Head Teacher.”
“Whereas, the EFCC being overburdened with political matters is yet to investigate, prosecute and imprison many official thieves in Delta State who have stolen billions meant for the maintenance of public schools, it is these same officials who now want to use poor Mrs Ibigwe as a scapegoat. This is unacceptable and must be resisted”, Tietie said.
The statement further disclosed that “CASER is presently joining forces with other civil society organisations and NGOs within and outside Nigeria to expose the corruption and neglect in the management of public schools in Nigeria and, to ensure that any officials found wanting will be prosecuted particularly in Delta State.”
Mr. Tietie said: “CASER shall also begin and sustain a campaign to ensure an international travel ban against all officials of the Delta State Government for what we describe as a wicked and criminal violation of children’s right to education in contrast with the huge financial resources available to the state.”
The CASER Executive Director said the organization is of serious resolve to address obvious criminality and injustice associated with the matter.