An appeal has gone to the federal government to continue to sustain the funding of unity schools across the country so as to assist quality education reaching the doorsteps of less privileged people in the country.
The president of Federal Government College (FGC ) Ilorin, Class of 1996, Mr. Chukwuyere Izuogu made the appeal in Ilorin Monday during the commissioning of multi million naira solar-powered borehole, a 3-D printing machine and sports equipment donated to the alma mater.
He said that, “the Unity Schools have produced influencial people in the country irrespective of their backgrounds and ethnic nationalities.
“And, if this is allowed to wipe away by privatising the schools, it would deprive many Nigerians to have quality education and also reduce the bridging of ideas and cultural development”.
He observed that this will also lead to hike in school fees and prevent children of the indigent in Nigeria from accessing quality education from Unity Schools.
“One of the beautiful things about Federal Government taking charge of Unity Schools, is the affordability and the unity it has fostered for Nigerians irrespective of social strata, tribe and religion,” he said.
He appealed to the government to continue with the status quo and ensuring the learning institutions remains within the reach of the ordinary citizens.
On the commissioning of the affected supports to the school in Ilorin, Izuogu stated that, the initiative was aimed at solving critical needs in water supply, sports development, and technology learning in the school.
Izuogu explained that the donations were their way of appreciating the foundation the school gave them.
According to him, “the water project will ensure that the students will not suffer water scarcity, while also exposing them to sports and modern technology that will make them competitive globally”.
“The solar-powered borehole, fitted with overhead tank, is expected to provide clean water for the entire school population,” he said.
The 1996 Alumni president explained that the sports athletic kits will also revive sporting activities in the school.
Izuogu also observed the need for introducing tools for innovation, hence the donation of three brand new 3-D printing machine installed in the school’s ICT lab, which was acquired by a United States-based member, Mr Shola Adekanye
He explained that the retail price of the machine is worth N3 million, adding that this would help to build the next sets of youth that will become industrious and drive innovation in the country.
“The world is moving to innovation and design. With this 3-D printer, our students can now bring their ideas to life. Like designing prototypes of Sandals or other products,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Re-Union Committee, Mr. Enahoro Oherein explained that the project which is a maiden one, took the association about six years to materialize due to the restriction placed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He noted that the major challenge then was what to give back to the school, adding that the school has more than 40 Alumni sets since 1972.
“We originally intended solar lights in classrooms and public areas, but when we got here, we heard that some sets have already done that.
“We were informed about the problems with water. We converted existing borehole that was dysfunctional into Solar powered water supply system,” he said
Oherein described the Re-union of the Old Students in thier school as nostalgic and surreal, while lamenting that about 11 of their school mates are deceased.
In his remarks, the Principal of the FGC, Ilorin, Dr. Paul Agbo, expressed pleasure at the gesture of the 1996 Old Students, adding that this is a thing of joy for the association to give back to the school that has shaped their tender years.
He appealed for more Alumni involvement in the development of the school, adding that government alone cannot do it.
Agbo however rejected the calls for the privitization of Unity Schools, adding that it would be detrimental to children of citizens in the country.
According to him, the Unity Schools have produced influencial people in the country irrespective of their backgrounds.
Hammed Shittu
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