The Anambra State Government has ordered all schools in the state to reopen and operate on Mondays. Media reports that the government warned that those who fail to comply will be closed.

The directive covers public, private, mission, and returned schools across the state.

The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, said the instruction was issued by the Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, and that a circular containing the details had already been sent to school authorities. Schools that do not resume activities on Mondays will be shut down immediately.

“The order, given at the instance of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo, applies to all public, private, mission and returned schools across the state.

“Any school that fails to resume activities on Mondays will face immediate closure,” she said.

In a related development, Soludo has declared that he has the legal authority to reclaim the land where the Onitsha Main Market stands and use it for other public purposes, including building a school.

He made the statement during a meeting with leaders of the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA).

Soludo explained that the law allows him to take back land used for public benefit and repurpose it if needed.

He said compensation could be paid to the current landowners, and anyone who disagrees with the amount offered could challenge it in court, but the revocation itself could not be stopped.

During the meeting at the International Conference Centre in Awka, the governor directed local government officials to monitor market shops from 10 a.m. on every market day, including Mondays.

They are to note which shops remain closed and report back, with the possibility of fines, permanent closure, or revocation of the shops.

Soludo also assured traders that security would be strengthened around the market to address concerns and restore confidence.

He said the government had planned to modernize Onitsha Main Market in 2023, aiming to remove illegal structures and shanties and turn it into a modern facility.

The project was delayed because a proper relocation plan for traders had not yet been arranged.

The governor said the eventual redesign of the market would include modern facilities, making it reflect its status as the largest market in West Africa.

He described the modernisation as being for the benefit of current traders and future generations.

A follow-up meeting with all leaders of Onitsha Main Market was scheduled for Friday, January 30, at the Light House, New Government House, Awka, to discuss plans for reopening or temporarily closing the market so modernisation can begin.