Social media commentator and activist MC Okrika has publicly challenged the Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Stephen Odey, over the condition of an alleged government primary school in Yala Local Government Area.
In a video posted on his social media platforms, MC Okrika accused the commissioner of failing to improve schools, particularly in his own constituency. He claimed the school featured in the video is St. Leonard Primary School in Yache, Yala Local Government Area, which he described as being in a poor state.
According to MC Okrika, Prof. Odey, who previously served as Chairman of the Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) before becoming Commissioner for Education, should be held accountable for the condition of schools in the state.
He questioned supporters of the commissioner who, according to him, often defend the commissioner by listing his qualifications and achievements online.
"I want them to show me the schools he has renovated under Governor Bassey Otu's administration," MC Okrika said in the video.
The activist alleged that the commissioner had threatened him in a voice note after he began speaking about the state of schools. He claimed he possesses the voice recording and the commissioner's phone number, adding that he would release them if necessary. He also alleged that the commissioner threatened to arrest a blogger who criticized him.
MC Okrika insisted that no blogger should be arrested for demanding accountability from public officials.
He said criticism of government officials is part of democratic accountability and warned that anyone attempting to silence bloggers through intimidation would not succeed.
According to him, he will continue exposing public schools across Cross River State that are allegedly in poor condition.
MC Okrika also challenged the state's claim that about 300 schools have been renovated, asking government supporters to physically identify and show the schools to the public.
"Don't tell us what we don't know. If you renovated 300 schools, show us School One, School Two, School Three... let people see them," he said.
The activist compared the government's performance with his own community projects, claiming that he is personally funding the renovation of schools through the influence and support of social media activist VeryDarkMan (VDM) and the RATEL Movement.
He stated that workers were already renovating two schools on the day he recorded the video and that another school project was underway.
"I work with practical evidence. I can show everything I have done," he said.
Speaking further about the school in Yala, MC Okrika alleged that while Prof. Odey served as SUBEB Chairman, only six new classrooms were constructed in the school instead of renovating the older buildings, which he described as being in worse condition.
He questioned why the damaged classroom blocks were left untouched despite the construction of the new block.
"This is your constituency. This is where you come from. Go and fix this classroom and give these children good education," he said.
MC Okrika concluded by saying that he would continue reminding public officials of projects they have not completed and insisted that government officials should respond with visible results rather than online arguments.
As of the time of filing this report, the Cross River State Ministry of Education and Prof. Stephen Odey had not publicly responded to the specific allegations made by MC Okrika in the video.
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