Kogi govt hails Henry Adetayo Foundation for rebuilding Oke Agi School

…Tasks private sector on partnership

By Florence Kalu

The Kogi State Government has commended the Henry Adetayo Foundation, led by Engr. Adebayo Mike Arayegbemi, for reconstructing the Community Secondary School, Oke Agi, in Mopamuro Local Government Area of the state.

The government also called on private individuals, corporate organisations and other stakeholders to complement its efforts to provide quality educational infrastructure across Kogi State.

The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, gave the commendation on Wednesday during an inspection of the newly reconstructed school, describing the project as a remarkable demonstration of responsible citizenship and a worthy investment in the future of the community.

Fanwo said the state government was proud of the foundation for undertaking a project that would have a lasting impact on the educational development of Oke Agi and neighbouring communities.

Gov. Ododo

According to him, the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is allocating more than 30 per cent of the state’s expenditure to education, while simultaneously rebuilding and remodelling schools across the state.

He, however, acknowledged that government alone could not address every infrastructure need in the education sector, making private-sector intervention essential.

“This is an example to others. As part of the integrity of public communication under Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, we have never claimed that all schools in Kogi are beautiful. As a government, we’re rebuilding our schools and remodeling many others.

“We need many private individuals like Engr. Adebayo to support what the government is doing. He didn’t make videos of the bad state of the school to bring down the image of the school. He simply rebuilt it and turned it into a model for others to emulate,” Fanwo said.

He noted that the growing participation of private individuals and non-governmental organisations in public development was an indication of increasing confidence in the Ododo administration’s commitment to good governance and responsible management of public resources.

Fanwo cited ongoing school reconstruction projects in communities including Adaakolo, Nagazi and Okebukun as evidence of the government’s efforts to improve public education infrastructure and restore confidence in public schools.

“Because of the confidence that Kogites have in Governor Ododo, private individuals and non-governmental organisations are now joining hands with the government to provide quality educational infrastructure for our children,” he said.

The Commissioner also disclosed that the state government would give serious consideration to taking over the management of the reconstructed school.

He said the Ministry of Education was already working towards determining how the facility could be properly integrated into the state’s public education system.

“As a responsible government, what Engr. Adebayo has done will be appreciated by the government by taking over the school management. The Ministry of Education, under the leadership of Hon. Wemi Jones, is busy rewriting the history of education in our dear state with unprecedented performances.

“The state government will give the possibility of taking over this school a serious consideration,” Fanwo said.

The reconstructed school comprises nine blocks of classrooms, four administrative offices, laboratories, a library, a computer laboratory and a hall designated for external examinations.

The facility is also equipped with a solar power installation capable of providing electricity to the school round the clock, further enhancing the learning environment for students and teachers.

As part of his contribution to the development of the school, Fanwo pledged N1.75 million in scholarships and communication gadgets to support students and enhance learning.

In his remarks, the Danayangun of Oke Agi, HRH Oba Joshua Are, expressed the community’s appreciation to the Commissioner for inspecting the facility ahead of its official commissioning later in the year.

The traditional ruler also thanked Engr. Adebayo and the Henry Adetayo Foundation for the intervention, describing the project as a major development for the community and disclosing that the reconstruction was about 99 per cent complete.

The Commissioner was accompanied during the inspection by government officials and political leaders from Mopamuro Local Government Area.