*Office of the Commissioner*
*Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Imo State*
*NEW OUTBREAK OF DIPHTHERIA IN A FEW TOWNS IN ORLU LGA*
To:.All Principals and Primary Schools HMs (Public and Private)
1. Please notenand be aware that there are reported cases of the deaths of a few school-aged children who obviously are pupils and students (schools yet unknown because they took ill and died subsequently, this, allegedly, is as result of reported cases of outbreak of Diphtheria in some parts of Orlu LGA.
2. The report, as it is trickling in so far, says that thie very new outbreak of Diphtheria is for now concentrated around *Amihie Ward, Obibi Ochasi, Okwuabala and Ogberuru toens -all in Orlu LGA of Imo State*
3. There are 3 confirmed fatalities so far; in respect of the privacy of the parents of the decease; unfortunately, therefore, we can not list their names because of the ages of the deceased -2 boys and a girl. It will be unethical and unprofessional for their names to be published here.
3. There are also about 3 other cases that have been reported involving some families around *Okwuabala and Ihiteowere axis* in Orlu LGA
4. I wish to inform all Imolites through this medium, specifically, essentially abd especially, to Principals of all Public and Private secondary Schools, and the HMs of all Public and Private Primary Schools within *Obibi Ochasi, Ogberuru, Okwuabala, Ihioma Clan, Ihittenansa, Asaa Uberielem, Umuhu Okabia and all other schools that are within, and around the adjournment commuties*, to know that all Primary and Secondary are temporarily close down till further notice.
*Now, to all parents, guardians, and stakeholders in the education sector of Orlu LGA and Imo State*
1. May I most humbly and respectfully inform you that, for me, as the Hon. Commissioner, it is better that I err on the side of caution by taking this decision, of course with the approval of His Excellency, *Most Distinguished Senator (Dr.) Hope Uzodinma, CON, GSSRS, Executive Governor of Imo State*, in taking this precautionary measure, which is for the safety of *all primary schools' pupils and all secondary schools' students*, and indeed, for the benefit of all our citizens. This is why this public announcement is absolutely important and necessary because it is supposed to be informative and an essential provision of knowledge, which in itself is power.
2. Accordingly and immediately, all schools in affected towns are hereby closed, albeit temporarily. This is the after effect or the result of the outbreak of Diphtheria that has been reported in the areas where all schools have just been closed temporarily.
3. I have, again, as the Hon. Commissioner in-chairge of the entire Primary and Secondary Schools in Imo State, discussed with the *Executive Chairman* of Orlu LGA, Pastor Chris Mbarie, of my decision to temporarily close all schools within and around the towns mentioned above. The Executive Chairman himself equally shared in my convictions that all the schools mentioned above should be temporarily closed until further notice.
Thank you so very much for your support.
Prof. B. T. O. Ikegwuoha
Hon. Commissioner,
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education
Dated: June 14, 2025
*Office of the Commissioner*
*Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Imo State*
*NEW OUTBREAK OF DIPHTHERIA IN A FEW TOWNS IN ORLU LGA*
To:.All Principals and Primary Schools HMs (Public and Private)
1. Please notenand be aware that there are reported cases of the deaths of a few school-aged children who obviously are pupils and students (schools yet unknown because they took ill and died subsequently, this, allegedly, is as result of reported cases of outbreak of Diphtheria in some parts of Orlu LGA.
2. The report, as it is trickling in so far, says that thie very new outbreak of Diphtheria is for now concentrated around *Amihie Ward, Obibi Ochasi, Okwuabala and Ogberuru toens -all in Orlu LGA of Imo State*
3. There are 3 confirmed fatalities so far; in respect of the privacy of the parents of the decease; unfortunately, therefore, we can not list their names because of the ages of the deceased -2 boys and a girl. It will be unethical and unprofessional for their names to be published here.
3. There are also about 3 other cases that have been reported involving some families around *Okwuabala and Ihiteowere axis* in Orlu LGA
4. I wish to inform all Imolites through this medium, specifically, essentially abd especially, to Principals of all Public and Private secondary Schools, and the HMs of all Public and Private Primary Schools within *Obibi Ochasi, Ogberuru, Okwuabala, Ihioma Clan, Ihittenansa, Asaa Uberielem, Umuhu Okabia and all other schools that are within, and around the adjournment commuties*, to know that all Primary and Secondary are temporarily close down till further notice.
*Now, to all parents, guardians, and stakeholders in the education sector of Orlu LGA and Imo State*
1. May I most humbly and respectfully inform you that, for me, as the Hon. Commissioner, it is better that I err on the side of caution by taking this decision, of course with the approval of His Excellency, *Most Distinguished Senator (Dr.) Hope Uzodinma, CON, GSSRS, Executive Governor of Imo State*, in taking this precautionary measure, which is for the safety of *all primary schools' pupils and all secondary schools' students*, and indeed, for the benefit of all our citizens. This is why this public announcement is absolutely important and necessary because it is supposed to be informative and an essential provision of knowledge, which in itself is power.
2. Accordingly and immediately, all schools in affected towns are hereby closed, albeit temporarily. This is the after effect or the result of the outbreak of Diphtheria that has been reported in the areas where all schools have just been closed temporarily.
3. I have, again, as the Hon. Commissioner in-chairge of the entire Primary and Secondary Schools in Imo State, discussed with the *Executive Chairman* of Orlu LGA, Pastor Chris Mbarie, of my decision to temporarily close all schools within and around the towns mentioned above. The Executive Chairman himself equally shared in my convictions that all the schools mentioned above should be temporarily closed until further notice.
Thank you so very much for your support.
Prof. B. T. O. Ikegwuoha
Hon. Commissioner,
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education
Dated: June 14, 2025
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