A former distinguished Senator, Shehu Sani, has raised a cautionary flag concerning the looming collapse of public educational institutions, particularly in Northern Nigeria. He urges the leaders of the region to accord the utmost seriousness to the realm of education.
Addressing the audience during the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Government Science College, Kagara, orchestrated by the Kagara Old Boys Association (KAGOBA) from the Class of 1984 in Minna on a Saturday, Sani reminisced about a time when public schools stood as bastions of quality education, boasting teachers and instructors hailing from both domestic and international origins.
He nostalgically remarked, “Our public schools were once the cradle of excellence, grooming individuals who would later excel in various fields – be it academia, medicine, engineering, governance, industry, or military service. Our classrooms were graced by educators from Pakistan, India, Canada, and Egypt, molding the futures of Professors, Doctors, Engineers, Senators, industrial leaders, and Army Generals, among other luminaries.”
Regrettably, Sani lamented the current state of public education, especially in the Northern regions, decrying the stark reality of dilapidation and neglect that has befallen these institutions. He emphasized the urgent need for the North to prioritize education, highlighting the significant challenges posed by the alarming rate of out-of-school children in the region.
Furthermore, the vocal former legislator expressed sorrow over the detrimental impact of banditry and terrorism on the educational landscape in Northern Nigeria, pointing out how these nefarious activities have disrupted the foundational infrastructure of learning.
Sani’s dismay was palpable as he reflected on the fate of GSC Kagara, once a beacon of academic excellence that now lies desolate and abandoned following a harrowing attack by bandits resulting in the abduction of students. Despite this somber reality, he extended his support for the temporary relocation of the school to Minna, acknowledging the enhanced security measures under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.
Additionally, Sani underscored the success in neutralizing numerous top commanders of terrorist factions across the country, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the prevailing challenges.
In his opening remarks, Alhaji Jafar Tukur, Chairman of KAGOBA, shed light on the historical journey of the college, noting its inception in 1968 and subsequent relocation from Minna to Kagara in 1973. Tukur bemoaned the current state of affairs at the institution, emphasizing the pivotal role played by KAGOBA in facilitating the provision of essential resources such as furniture for the students’ academic pursuits.
The poignant saga of Government Science College, Kagara, marred by the distressing abduction incident of February 2021, underscores the urgent need for concerted efforts to revitalize and safeguard the educational landscape in the Northern region.
