A monumental leap forward for education in Kogi State unfolded on Friday as the Federal Government officially handed over the fully rehabilitated and modernized Government Science Secondary School, Koton-Karfe, following a massive N1.48 billion intervention.
The high-profile overhaul, facilitated by the lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Senator Sunday Karimi, marks a turning point for science and technological learning in the region.
The project, executed through the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), is one of 50 senior secondary schools selected nationwide for upgrade under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Commissioning the facility on Friday, the Executive Secretary of NSSEC, Dr. Iyela Ajayi, said the initiative reflects government’s commitment to providing safe and modern learning environments for Nigerian children. He was represented by Mr. Olugbenga Adelogun.
“A school cannot deliver quality education without a safe and supportive environment. This is an investment in our children and their future,” he said. He also commended Senator Karimi for complementing government efforts in the education sector.
Senator Karimi, represented by retired Navy Commodore Folusho Daniel, said the school forms part of broader interventions he has facilitated across Kogi West in education, water supply, electricity and solar power.
He disclosed that he personally funded the rehabilitation of Titcombe College, Egbe, at a cost of N350 million. He added that he has concluded plans to build Computer-Based Test centres in Lokoja, Kabba, Mopa and Isanlu to ease access to the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for candidates in the area.
The Supervising Consultant, Mr. Emmanuel Egamana, said the project was executed in 24 weeks by Messrs First Man Industry Link Limited. It comprises an administrative block with seven offices and six classrooms, each with 46 seats. It also has four science laboratories and four ICT laboratories, each accommodating 48 students, all fully equipped and furnished. Other facilities include an inverter system, solar lights, a borehole and an overhead water tank.
The Chairman of the Kogi State Senior Secondary Education Board, Mrs. Habiba Suleiman, thanked the Federal Government for the gesture and appealed for more interventions in the state.
Receiving the facility, the school’s Principal, Mr. Inusa Dauda, pledged the judicious use of the facilities. He, however, appealed for the construction of a perimeter fence and the deployment of more security personnel, citing the school’s vulnerability to theft.
The Ohimege Igu of Koton-Karfe, HRM Dr. Saidu Akawu Salihu, was represented at the event. Residents of the community described the project as a timely milestone for science education in the district.
