Niger State Governor, farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago has called on all Council Chairmen and critical stakeholders in Education to unite and take ownership of public schools in the State.
Governor Umaru Bago made the call when he commissioned blocks of classrooms constructed in honour of Rear Admiral Istifanus Mu’azu Albara, under the Chief of Naval Staff special intervention quick impact project in Adunu, Paikoro local government area of the State.
Represented by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Hadiza Asabe Mohammed, the Governor said taking ownership of public schools is a collective responsibility as the government alone cannot shoulder it.
He expressed concern over how those who benefited from public schools have allowed the system to collapse, leaving little or nothing for younger generations.
The Governor, however, applauded Rear Admiral Mu’azu Albara for his exceptional gesture, which he said is overwhelming to him and every well-meaning Nigerlite.
He said Rear Admiral Mu’azu Albara has demonstrated commitment to giving back to the society and called on all well-to-do individuals to borrow a leave from the Rear Admiral to contribute to the development of Education in the State.
The Governor also commended the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla for initiating such an intervention programme in the Nigerian Navy.
While tasking the school Managers to build a high maintenance culture of the infrastructure, the Governor promised to bring more Educational interventions to Adunu through the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project and State University Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla who was represented by the Acting Chief of Naval Transformation Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Julius Nwagu, noted that provision of infrastructure for any educational training is key to the emancipation of illiteracy and poverty.
He explained that the special intervention quick impact project is a Civil-Military engagement aimed at executing projects that have capacity to improve the socio-economic wellbeing of the people; fostering a harmonious and collaboratory relationship between the Nigerian Navy and communities; and win the hearts of community members to support all Military operations in attaining the National security among others.
The Chief of Naval Staff said the school stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity to the children of Adunu, Paikoro local government and Niger State at large, adding that the project embodies their collective aspirations for a brighter future where every child has access to quality education.
In his remarks, the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command, Rear Admiral Istifanus Mu’azu Albara who sponsored the construction of new blocks and renovation of existing ones in the Primary School, said the school was established in the 50s as a Missionary School.
He said the project is a testament of his commitment to educational development and will undoubtedly address the infrastructural deficit in the community and improve education in line with the rural development agenda of the farmer Governor of Niger State.
Rear Admiral Mu’azu Albara said the school is also expected to drive rural development and enhance the image of the Nigerian Navy.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Chairman of SUBEB, Mohammed Baba Ibrahim, and the Director General, Schools and Education Reforms, Hajiya Maimuna Mohammed commended Rear Admiral Mu’azu Albara for the laudable project and promised that the State will make judicious use of it.
Also, Member representing Paikoro/Bosso Federal Constituency, the State Lawmaker representing Paikoro Constituency, Umar Nasir and the representative of the Emirate of Minna, who doubles as the District Head of Adunu Mallam Kabiru Bawa, where all full of commendation to the Rear Admiral Mu’azu Albara for the project and while urging the State government to do in provision of basic amenities to the people of the community and its environs.
The 3 blocks constructed by Rear Admiral Mu’azu Albara consist of 5 classrooms, and 2 offices. Parameter fence, security post, modern toilet facilities, furniture, solar power and also the renovation of 3 blocks of classrooms.
Gifts were presented to deserving individuals for their contributions to the community.
Commissioner for Homeland Security, Gen. Bello Mohammed Abdullahi, Commissioner for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Mrs Elizabeth Shaba, and many other top government functionaries where among the Niger State delegation at the event.
