The umbrella body of all Ozara people in the United States of America, Ozara Union USA (OUUSA), have petitioned the governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah over plans to site the proposed Smart Green School on the parcel of land known as Ofia Nneche in Ozalla, a town in the Nkanu West local government area of Enugu State, citing concerns spanning from environmental degradation to wildlife conservation and the preservation of traditional religious antiques.
In the letter made available to PACESETTER, dated July 1, 2024, signed by the President and Legal Adviser of OUUSA, Emeka Nwanze Nnaji Sr. and Obi Agada Kamanu, respectively, and copied to the President General, Ozalla Development Union (ODU) and the Chairman, Ndijinze, Anu Ozalla, the diaspora group noted that although “some Ozalla leaders in good faith suggested Ofia Nneche”, going ahead with the “decision will result in gaining one thing – Smart School, but losing much more”.
Lauding the Smart Green Schools initiative by the Mbah-led administration, the group, consisting of all Ozallans regardless of their present autonomous community, political or religious preferences, argued that alternative sites should be considered, stressing their acceptance of “any premises of any of our existing primary schools deemed most centrally located to fulfil one of the requirements of the Smart School”.
Recall that Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State had proposed the construction of 260 Smart Green Schools in the 260 political wards of the Southeastern state, with the pioneer school already up and fully running in Owo ward, Nkanu East local government area of the state.
The letter titled “Re: Petition against the choice of proposed site for Smart School in Ozalla Ward” reads in full:
We are members of Ozara Union USA (OUUSA), an umbrella body of all Ozara people in the United States of America (USA) regardless of their present autonomous community, political or religious, etc. preferences.
OUUSA is a staunch supporter and promoter of quality education for all children in Ozalla, whether indigenes or residents. For many years, we have raised funds among ourselves and received support from our friends and associates to achieve these goals. OUUSA is well-known within Ozalla for distributing educational materials to Ozalla students and for our work in constructing and or rehabilitating buildings, including an examination hall, and a science laboratory, as well as award of scholarships.
We were excited when we heard of Your Excellency’s Smart School initiative (one of its kind in Nigeria). OUUSA supports this excellent idea, because we believe that good education is a strong foundation upon which better citizens and societies are built.
It is based on our shared goals of providing quality education that we are now writing this petition to bring to your attention the irreparable damage that Ozalla will suffer if the Smart School is built on the currently proposed site (Ofia Nneche). This decision will result in gaining one thing – Smart School, but losing much more. Below, we detail what Ozalla stands to lose if this location is not changed.
Given the size of a centralized virgin parcel of land required by the Enugu State government for the Smart School program, some Ozalla leaders in good faith suggested Ofia Nneche. The site Ofia Nsuh, where ancient trees that have existed for several centuries are being cut down and carted (deforestation), is part of the greater Ofia Nneche. In this petition we will refer to both Ofia Nsuh and Ofia Nneche as Ofia Nneche
As temperatures rise worldwide due to global warming and climate change, communities are experiencing rapid rates of barren and arid lands, contributing to the persistent farmers and herders crisis in our dear nation, Nigeria. We will attach a Google Satellite view of Ozalla showing how dry and lacking in green vegetation Ozalla is, which is causing very hot conditions.
We strongly oppose siting of the Smart School at Ofia Nneche for the following reasons, among others:
- Ofia Nneche has been a major vegetation trove preserved from time immemorial by the founding fathers of our dear town.
- It produces oxygen that we need to breathe and stay alive, while absorbing carbon dioxide we exhale.
- Cutting down these trees will release Carbon dioxide (CO₂) that they have stored, contributing to our already rising temperatures.
- Ozalla is undergoing massive urbanization, resulting in more greenhouse gas production, and the trees that could have absorbed these gases would be cut down.
- Uprooting age-old trees with deep roots increases the risk of erosion and other environmental degradations.
- Clearing Nneche forest will destroy the natural habitat of our wildlife, adversely affecting agricultural outputs. Displaced animals will be forced closer to our people’s living quarters, spreading infectious diseases,
- For centuries, Ofia Nneche has served our community as a windbreaker against hurricane-like conditions, preventing damages such as blown off roofs.
- Cutting down Nneche forest will pollute our Ufam stream causing long term damage to the only stream our beloved town relies on for domestic and commercial activities.
- The disruption and displacement of the most sacred shrine of our traditional worshippers, and other countless and intangible losses.
In conclusion, while it is possible to relocate Ozalla Smart School, it is almost impossible to recreate Ofia Nneche.
OUUSA is non-partisan, non-religious, non-affiliated with any autonomous community, comprising of all Ozallans from all the pre-autonomous communities. Like the majority of Ozalla people, we strongly oppose the proposed Smart School location in Ofia Nneche for the reasons stated above. We are open to any other site approved by Ozalla people, whether at any premises of any of our existing primary schools deemed most centrally located to fulfil one of the requirements of the Smart School.
We support using one of our existing primary schools, churches or open grounds outside of Ofia Nneche.
Please feel free, Your Excellency, to contact us if you have any questions or need further clarification.