Edith CHUKU
The move by Nigerian social media influencer and activist, Mr Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, to demolish the Odiokwu Community Secondary School in Ahoada West Local Government Area, Rivers State, has faced criticism.
A coalition of civil society groups in the state described VDM’s attempted demolition of the school during the weekend as lawless, irresponsible, reckless and insulting.
Their grievance is that VeryDarkMan did not seek the approval of the state government before carrying out his actions in the school which has been in comatose.
VDM had arrived the school last weekend with a bulldozer, following the request of the musical artiste, Burna Boy, a native of Odiokwu community where the school is located.
Burna had urged the social media personality to make necessary arrangements for the immediate renovation of the school which came to limelight following the alleged assault by the Ahoada West Local Government Chairman, Eugene Cheta Epelle, on Minnie Ogadinma, who recorded a video of the dilapidated school building.
Spokesperson of the coalition group, Mr. Nasigba Peterside, insisted that despite his intentions, VeryDarkMan should not have invaded the school, rather, go to appropriate authorities for directives.
The statement read “we strongly condemn the actions and activities carried out by VeryDarkMan in Ahoada West Local Government Area over the weekend. The incident is highly inappropriate and unacceptable.
“It is deeply concerning that VERYDARKMAN would invade a community with a bulldozer and begin demolishing property belonging to the government, specifically, a secondary school building under the Ministry of Education, without any relevant permit or approval from the Rivers State Government.
“The demolition of a functional school facility without prior authorization or an alternative arrangement for the schl students is reckless and irresponsible, If not for the timely interventions of the house of Reps member representing Ahouda West constituency Hon Victor Obuzu, the entire school would have been brought down over the weekend.
“Rivers State is governed by constituted authorities responsible for administering the affairs of the state. It is therefore unacceptable and insulting for VDM, regardless of his intentions, to enter the state and take advantage of the situation on ground to carry out actions that are unlawful and in clear violation of established regulations.”
The group insisted that “if there was a genuine intention to carry out an intervention project, the appropriate procedure would have been to consult the Rivers State Government through the Ministry of Education. Such an intervention should have been formally declared to the relevant authorities, including presenting any proposed design or development plan for the school. Instead, VERYDARKMAN chose to visit the site, reportedly after a courtesy call to the traditional ruler and proceeded to demolish government property without authorization. This action is unacceptable.
“We are therefore calling on the Commissioner of Police to immediately intervene and put a stop to this act of irresponsibility and lawlessness directed at the people and government of Rivers State.
“Rivers State is not a state that is begging for charity. We very sure that the government already has a comprehensive plan to rehabilitate both secondary and primary schools across the state. In fact, the Rivers State House of Assembly had previously declared a state of emergency in the education sector to address these concerns.
“As such, any intervention program must align and work in synergy with the development plans of the Rivers State Government.
“This act is completely condemnable. We strongly condemn the actions of those involved, including any collaborators. All responsible parties must be held accountable in order to prevent future occurrences of such unlawful actions.”
