– As staff, Students, Parents Lament New Principal Onyeguiri’s Alleged Harassment, Intimidation, High-Handedness
– Call For Her Immediate Redeployment
“Federal Government Girls College (FGGC) Owerri that, was known as a beacon of academic, moral and administrative excellence has suddenly lost its glory barely four months after the new Principal Mrs Onyeguiri Ozoemena Gladys assumed office with intimidation, harassment, high handedness and insensitivity to the plight of parents and guardians whom she has compelled to pay outrageous fees and provide all kinds of materials despite the enormous funds the federal government provides through the Ministry of Education”.
A cross section of aggrieved parents, staff and students who spoke to Nigeria Watchdog Newspaper on the condition of anonymity stated this in separate interviews.
According to them, “the new Principal became combative and confrontational from the first day she assumed office by saying that she would not work with all those who worked harmoniously with her predecessor whom they described as a seasoned administrator, compassionate team player and mother figure”.
They accused Onyeguiri, of allegedly “using the divide and rule strategy to infiltrate the Parent Teacher Association by inciting some members of the executive particularly the Public Relations Officer (PRO) King David against the PTA Chairman Dr Jerry Woko, with the promise that she will soon remove Woko and replace him with the PRO as the Interim Chairman, simply because she allegedly intends to control the PTA executive as part of her schedule contrary to laid down guidelines and procedure.”
They also described the publication the new Principal allegedly sponsored in the White Paper Newspaper edition of Friday September 4 2026, “as a diversionary measure aimed at covering her track and hoodwinking the public instead of responding to the weighty allegations levelled against her as contained in a letter earlier written by aggrieved parents who obviously captured and articulated the prevailing scenario in the school.
According to them, “some of the things the new Principal falsely claims to be the reforms she initiated since she assumed office four months ago, were already in place before she came on board. From all indications, her greatest achievement since assuming office is destroying the peace, unity, harmony, and mutual co-existence that existed in the school before she assumed office by encouraging gossip, back biting, disregard for hierarchy, and unfavourable negative media publicity arising from her politicization of the system. All these have not only affected the morale of staff, led to decline in the quality of teaching and learning but also projected the school in a very bad light. To this end, we urge her to answer the following questions instead of tarnishing and conspiring with her stooges to dent the image and reputation of hard working people who had contributed and still contribute enormously to the growth, development and sustenance of the school.
These and other issues raised in the letter written by aggrieved, distraught and financially burdened parents and addressed to relevant authorities and security agents for investigation are what she is expected to address rather than seeking validation through a non- existent vote of confidence purportedly passed on her by obviously compromised and faceless individuals whose identity as genuinely Concerned Parents is profoundly questionable.”
The letter which allegedly expresses the reservation, deep concern and disappointment of staff and other stakeholders in the FGGC Owerri and addressed to the Honorable Minister For Education, the Executive Governor of Imo State, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, Parent Teacher Association, Federal Government Girls College, Owerri including relevant supervising authorities of Federal Government Colleges otherwise called Unity Schools, which is said to aptly capture the ill-wind that is currently blowing at the FGGC Owerri,” reads, “A CALL FOR URGENT INVESTIGATION AND INTERVENTION INTO DEVELOPMENTS AT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GIRLS’ COLLEGE, OWERRI
“Dear Sir/Madam,
We write as parents of the Federal Government Girls’ College, Owerri, to draw the attention of the public and, more importantly, the appropriate authorities to developments in the school which, if left unchecked, may adversely affect the reputation, discipline, welfare and smooth administration of the institution.
We are bringing these matters forward in good faith and in the interest of the school, its students, parents and staff. I respectfully request that the relevant authorities investigate the allegations independently and establish the facts.
1: Change of Administration and Circumstances Surrounding the Handover.
Mrs Ozoemena Gladys Onyeguiri assumed office as Director Principal of FGGC Owerri and was formally handed over the school by the outgoing Director Principal, Mrs Fransisca Chinwe Obiagwu, on 17 April 2026.
However, I understand that the new Principal reported to the school on 17 April 2026, same day of the formal handover, and was taken around the school by the Director Vice Principal, Mr Francis Edebe, and the School Bursar, Mrs Obianuju Ezeoke, without the knowledge of the outgoing Principal and before the formal handover process.
We respectfully ask the appropriate authorities to clarify whether this procedure was in accordance with the applicable administrative rules and whether it contributed to the subsequent strained relationship between the incoming and outgoing administrations.
2: Alleged Victimisation and Transfers of Senior Staff
There are concerns among parents and members of the school community that some staff members who were perceived to have been close to or associated with the former administration have allegedly been subjected to intimidation, bullying and threats of transfer.
Within approximately four months of the new Principal’s assumption of duty, the following members of staff were reportedly transferred: Mrs Ogueri: VP, Student Affairs 1, Mrs Ejelonu: VP, Student Affairs II, Chief Stella Orji: VP, Academics 1, Mrs Okoro Ebere – Head of Subject, Social Studies.
These transfers were reportedly effected on August 2, 2026.
In addition, Dr Mrs Okanne, Assistant Director, was reportedly transferred on August 20, 2026.
The concern that requires urgent investigation is whether these transfers were mere administrative postings made in accordance with the Federal Ministry of Education’s guideline and procedure, or whether any of them was punitive, vindictive or retaliatory and for what reason.
A key question is: What objective administrative reasons justified the rapid transfer of several senior members of staff within such a short period of a new administration?
We am not asking the authorities to reverse legitimate transfers. Rather, I am asking that the circumstances, procedures and reasons for these transfers be independently examined. There is also need to know why out of the five staff that were hurriedly transferred, only three people have come to replace them, thereby creating a regrettable vacuum.
3:Alleged Termination of the Services of a Part-Time Mathematics Teacher.
There is also concern regarding the reported termination of the services of Engr. Mich, described by members of the school community as a competent Mathematics teacher who also served on a part-time basis.
It is understood that he considered his removal unjust and subsequently instituted legal proceedings.
The relevant authorities may wish to examine the circumstances surrounding the termination of his appointment and determine whether due process was followed.
4: Alleged Influence peddling and Boasts of Connections Within the Ministry.
It was also alleged that the Principal and Mrs Morah have been boastfully telling persons within the school community that they have influential Directors within the Ministry whom they can use to facilitate more transfers if and when they want .
We hereby unequivocally state that this allegation should be independently verified rather than treated as an established fact or swept under the carpet..
If such statements were actually made, they are capable of creating fear among the staff and at the same time erode confidence in the impartiality of administrative processes.
We therefore respectfully call on the Federal Ministry of Education to investigate and find out whether any official has improperly influenced or facilitated personnel decisions at the FGGC Owerri.
5: Charges In Respect Of SS3 Clearance Forms.
Another issue of concern relates to charges reportedly imposed on outgoing SS3 students for clearance forms.
According to information available to concerned parents, clearance forms which were previously provided to outgoing students without such charges are now reportedly attracting payments of ₦1,000 or ₦2,000, with the collection allegedly being handled through Mrs Morah, while students also provide A4 sheets. It is also alleged that parents are currently being compelled to pay money for the admission of their children and wards into FGGC, Owerri.
Parents deserve transparency concerning any approved fees or charges imposed on students.We therefore request that the PTA and relevant authorities verify:
Whether these charges were officially approved;
The purpose of the charges;
Who authorised them?
How much has been collected; and
Whether proper receipts and financial records exist for the collections.
6: Charges Imposed on Students Involving Burn Fire After 2026 Exams. Some SS 3 students after their final exams did burn fire outside their hostel but were stopped by the Matron. No destruction of property was recorded. In order to surcharge the students, Mrs Morah raised a false alarm that made the Principal to invite the Police. On sighting the police two students out of fear jumped through the window. All the students in that apartment were charged 10,000 each. When some of the parents asked to be shown the damages or things destroyed by their children that warrant the surcharge, they were ignored.
The Ministry should look into the academic and hostel requirements of both old and new students in FGGC Owerri because Parents are crying and lamenting.
7:Alleged Excessive Financial Penalties for Students Who Broke Bounds.
There are further concerns regarding some outgoing students, about six of them who allegedly broke bounds and were reportedly charged ₦100,000 and ₦120,000 respectively.
Parents are dismayed that such amounts are disproportionate on the ground that disciplinary measures such as supervised manual labour, counselling or other approved corrective measures should under normal circumstances be considered where appropriate.
Again, the point is not that students who violate school rules should go unpunished. Rather, the authorities should establish whether the sanctions imposed are authorised, proportionate and consistent with the approved disciplinary framework for Federal Government Colleges.
8: Alleged Threat of More Transfers
There are also reports within the school community that more staff transfers are being planned.
This has reportedly created anxiety among staff and parents, particularly because of the perception that some transfers may be connected to personal disagreements or perceived loyalty to the previous administration.
We, therefore with utmost respect and humility urge the Federal Ministry of Education to ensure that any further personnel decisions concerning FGGC Owerri are based strictly on established administrative procedure, documented professional reasons and the overall interest of the institution.
OUR REQUESTS
In view of the above, We respectfully call on the Federal Ministry of Education, the Imo State Government, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, and the PTA of FGGC Owerri to urgently:
Institute an independent investigation into the allegations raised above.
Review the circumstances surrounding the recent transfers of senior staff members.
Establish whether any transfer was punitive, vindictive, retaliatory or otherwise inconsistent with established Ministry procedure, rules and guidelines.
Examine the circumstances surrounding the termination of Engr. Mich and ascertain whether due process was followed.
Investigate all fees, charges and other financial collections imposed on students, including the SS3 clearance charges.
Request proper records, approvals, receipts and accountability for all such collections.
Examine the disciplinary procedure used in dealing with students involved in the reported incidents.
Ensure that students are not subjected to arbitrary or disproportionate financial penalties.
Investigate allegations of improper influence or claims of using officials within the Ministry to effect personnel decisions.
Provide an avenue through which staff, students and parents can confidentially report concerns without fear of victimisation.
Ensure that the administration of FGGC Owerri remains transparent, fair, professional and focused primarily on the education and welfare of the students.
CONCLUSION
Federal Government Girls’ College, Owerri is an important institution whose reputation has been built over many years by successive administrations, dedicated teachers, parents, students and other stakeholders.
As parents whose children are still connected to the school, we have no personal interest in discrediting any individual or administration. Our concern is that unresolved disputes, alleged cases of victimisation, questionable financial practices and disciplinary measures could gradually damage the reputation of the school and erode the confidence of parents and the general public.”
We therefore appeal to the relevant authorities to look into these matters urgently, impartially and transparently.
Where the allegations are found to be untrue, the investigation will clear those concerned. Where wrongdoing is established, appropriate corrective actions should be taken to serve as a deterrent.
The ultimate objective should be to restore confidence, protect the welfare of the students, ensure justice, fairness to staff and preserve the good name that Federal Government Girls’ College, Owerri has built over the years.”
