By IJENDU IHEAKA

Abia State Government, on Thursday, inaugurated the management of the Board of Fisher Educational Trust Foundation (FEDT) with the charge to make the college better than they met it.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FEDT is a body set up by the Government College Umuahia Old Boys Association (GCUOBA) to manage the affairs of the institution.

The Secretary to Abia State Government, Prof. Kenneth Kalu, who inaugurated the board on behalf of the governor, said the government was taking the step in line with its broad general vision and action.

“The government of Dr. Alex Otti is taking initiatives, any form of initiative, in different corners, that will make our society better,” he said.

He stressed that Otti’s government was intentionally driving actions that would create the kind of society Abia people wanted to live in.

Kalu thanked the GCUOBA and the Fisher Educational Trust Fund members for their efforts and commitment to making the institution greater.

Dr. Chinedum Ahaiwe, the National President of the Government College Umuahia Old Boys Association, in his speech, said that the institution produced many bright students in its glorious years.

He mentioned Chinua Achebe, Elechi Amadi, Chukwuemeka Ike, Christopher Okigbo and others, as literary giants who passed through the college.

Ahaiwe regretted that the college which earned “Eton of the East” following its students’ great performances had dwindled in its performance and glory.

He said the Government College Umuahia Old Boys Association (GCUOBA) established the FEDT as a Special Purpose Vehicle to drive the college’s restoration.

He said the Foundation had resolved to take over the management of the college to restore its past glory.

Ahaiwe welcomed the inauguration of a new board as one that would be “accountable to GCUOBA, make course corrections, restore benefactors confidence and uphold the college’s founding ideals”.

He also used the opportunity to thank Gov Otti for his efforts at rebuilding Abia and pledged the college management’s support to his government. (NAN)