From TCNEWS
In a landmark move to restore the faded glory of Government College Umuahia (GCU), the Abia State Government has inaugurated a newly reconstituted Fisher Educational Development Trust Board (FEDT).
The board, comprising members of the Government College Umuahia Old Boys Association (GCUOBA), has been tasked with repositioning the institution as a beacon of academic excellence and historical significance.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held in Umuahia, Governor Alex Otti, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Kenneth Kalu said the initiative aligns with the administration’s broader vision to transform the education sector. He praised the commitment of the GCUOBA and the school’s principal for their dedication in preserving the college’s legacy.
Governor Otti urged the new board members to discharge their duties with “honesty and sincere effort,” emphasizing that the goal is to equip students of Government College Umuahia to compete globally with their peers.
While commending the leadership of the Association for laying the groundwork that has brought the school back to operational status, the Governor stated that the reconstituted FEDT would now serve as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to drive the school’s redevelopment.
In his remarks, Dr. Chinedu Ahaiwe, National President of GCUOBA, described the inauguration as “a historic and epoch-making occasion.” He traced the school’s origin to the mid-1920s, when Rev. Robert Fisher, a Scottish missionary and educationist, helped establish Government College Umuahia as part of a broader British initiative to create elite academic institutions in colonial Nigeria.
“Government College Umuahia emerged as a centre of excellence, earning the title ‘Eton of the East,’” Dr. Ahaiwe recalled. “It was not just a school; it was a crucible for Nigeria’s political, literary, and cultural leaders.”
However, as administrative control shifted from the Eastern Region to East Central State, and eventually to Abia State, the school experienced a gradual decline. Alarmed by the deterioration, the Old Boys Association proposed assuming responsibility for its revival.
Dr. Ahaiwe acknowledged that, despite the noble efforts made so far, the project faced challenges. “Some feared that the foundational values of GCU were being compromised,” he said. “This new board represents a course correction, an opportunity to realign with the school’s founding ideals.”
He expressed gratitude to Governor Otti for endorsing key recommendations from a joint committee of the Abia State House of Assembly in May 2025. These included: the revocation of the previous Certificate of Occupancy issued to the former board in 2014 due to procedural lapses; the redrafting of the Deed of Trust and the constitution to enhance transparency and prevent unauthorized dealings in school property; joint oversight of the new Trust by the State Government and GCUOBA; and the reinstatement of the school’s mission to provide quality education to intelligent children from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
A critical next step in the restoration project is the school fencing initiative, aimed at reclaiming and securing the original 120 hectares of land acquired by Rev. Fisher. Dr. Ahaiwe revealed that large portions of the school’s land had been encroached upon by illegal developers and land speculators.
“Our famed sports fields and agricultural learning areas have been recklessly parceled out,” he lamented. “This fencing project is both symbolic and strategic, we are drawing the line to defend our heritage.”
He added that plans are underway to redevelop the sports infrastructure and revive the school’s farms to support student feeding and enhance practical agricultural education.
In a heartfelt tribute to Rev. Fisher, Dr. Ahaiwe said, “He taught us that greatness lies in service, not in possession. Though he had no biological children, his legacy lives on in generations of GCU alumni.”
The rejuvenation of Government College Umuahia signifies more than just an educational facelift, it is a reclamation of history and heritage. Once a launchpad for Nigeria’s brightest minds, the institution’s revival reflects a broader national aspiration: that no legacy worth preserving should be left to decay.
Through a strategic public-private partnership, the Abia State Government, in synergy with the Old Boys Association, is setting a precedent for educational reform rooted in accountability, pride, and vision.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by prominent government officials, including the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Chief Austin Meregini; the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the SSG, Dr. Godwin Okezue; as well as representatives from the Ministries of Justice and Education, and members of the State House of Assembly.
