Mrs Bello Dorcas
* Fingers PTA Vice chair as mastermind
By Kingsley Abavo, Benin
Benin City- irked by the brewing crisis in the Federal Government Girls College FGGC, Benin, some concerned parents and members of the PTA have expressed disappointment and condemned the allegations, advising that such issues are not treated on social media if the case is genuine.
The concerned parents who prefer anonymity said they have been embarrassed by the avoidable crisis which has dragged the name of the prestigious School to the mud and wondered what gains those fanning the embers stand to benefit.
Two of the parents while reacting to the N70M fresh allegation against the PTA Chairman which followed allegation of attempt by the husband to illegally take their sick child away from the school hostels; said there is enough indication of serious tension and wondered why the college management, particularly the principal Mrs Aghedo Osamudiamen is silent and seemingly comfortable with the issues?
They appealed for the urgent intervention of the School’s management, the entire body of the PTA and all other relevant authorities to save the situation from degenerating further.
“This is what leadership is all about. Sincerely speaking; my worry is why the principal of the school is silent on the matter. PTA is designed to be partner in progress with the school, and if there are issues such as the one at hand, it is expected that the school management steps in and nip it,” one of them said.
The FGGC, Benin-City, has been in the news since past 48 hours for the wrong reasons due to the in-fighting within the Parents Teachers Association (PTA); allegedly fueled by the School Headship following the allegation of attempted kidnap levelled against the PTA Chairman’s husband.
After the publication of alleged kidnap attempt of the PTA chairman’s daughter from the school by the husband Bello Monday Osayomwanbor on the Trojannews online, some faceless members of the Association have again raised the allegation of missing N70m against the Chairman, Dorcas Bello Monday.
The allegation published on the same online news platform: trojannews said the Chairman is on suspension, that some parents have called on EFCC and ICPC to probe her for the misappropriation of over N70 million funds of the body between 2019 and 2022.
The Chairman, Dorcas Bello in her reaction, said all the allegations are deliberate attempt by some disgruntled elements of the Association to blackmail her and husband, saying they were all mere tissues of lies.
She accused the vice chairman of the PTA Jim Osaigbovo Asubaja as the architect of all the erupting issues and attacks due to her refusal to grant them access to the funds of the Association.
Rather, she insisted that funds which are scarce, must only be spent on viable and impactful projects.
“I have gone through the said report and found that my antagonists are faceless; they were not bold enough to mention their names knowing that they were out to deliberately damage my hard earned reputation and good image.
“For the purpose of setting the records straight, there was no time I was suspended and no N70M is misappropriated.
” I do not have the authority to withdraw money and spend without approval from the PTA Exco; and withdrawal must be duly signed by myself and two other members of the Exco. Even, the Hostel building project we have at hand is not an exception.
“Also, projects are suggested to the PTA by the school management and must be approved by the Executive before they are executed. Strict adherence to due process is the watchword of my Exco.
“That I refused to convene meetings of the PTA for over two years now, is another lie from the pit of hell to achieve their failed mission.
I never refused to call for meetings, the PTA can’t call for meeting without the approval of the school management” she said.
Mrs. Bello therefore urged members of the public to ignore all the misleading evil stories they are cooking up against her and husband, insisting that if she embezzled the PTA funds it means all the principal officers of the Association, including those behind the mischief making are involved in the embezzlement because the decision to spend money is collectively taken.
However, calls put across to the cell phone of the Principal were not answered, as text messages requesting her response did not get any reply as at the time of filing this story on Friday evening.
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