In its efforts to provide a conducive atmosphere for learning, the Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu (RTA) Foundation has inaugurated four renovated secondary and primary schools at Kakanda community in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi state.
The renovated schools include Universal Basic Education in Budan the headquarters of Kakanda Land, Apata and Atsawa, all in Kakanda land.
Inaugurating the schools on Tuesday, the Agankyu of Kakanda land, HRM Muhammad Sanni described the establishment of the foundation by the Hon. Minister of State FCT. Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, is timely and noble, given the education challenges facing rural areas in the state.
He said the schools before the rehabilitation by the minister were in total dilapidation, forcing students and pupils to take lessons under trees.
The Royal Father stressed that the renovated school will create a better conducive atmosphere of learning for indigent students and pupils in the area.
According to him, the people of Kogi state, particularly rural communities have been having a fair deal, since the emergence of Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu as minister of the federal republic.
While praising the minister for a true and proud Daughter of the Kakanda kingdom, Mallam Sanni urged other well to do sons and daughters of Kakanda land to compliment the efforts of the minister by initiating viable projects that would have a positive bearing on the people of the area.
The traditional ruler, however, lamented the seeming absence of teachers posted to Kakanda land even when they are being paid a salary by the government.
“Out of 25 teachers posted to Kakanda land, only three or four are available to teach, while others choose to stay absent even though they receive a salary.”
He urged the education authority to look into the situation for a lasting solution.
Speaking earlier, the Hon. Minister of State FCT, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, said the establishment of the foundation was to encourage education in the rural areas, particularly the girl-child.
The minister, who was represented by her Special Assistant on primary health, Mr Ibrahim Mohammed, said the foundation is equally targeted at providing quality health care delivery to the rural areas in the state.
She said the health care centre recently inaugurated by the foundation in Budon, was a pilot in other communities in the state, particularly in the western senatorial district of Kogi state.
While calling on the people of the area, to continue giving their support to the foundation by protecting and maintaining the facilities provided, Dr Aliyu, promised to do more in liberating the people in the rural areas through her foundation.
Also speaking at the event, the Lokoja Local Government Education Secretary, Mallam Kassim Ndagi Abdulmalik, said the government is very much aware of the developmental stride of the RTA foundation in rural communities.
Abdulmalik, who equally represented the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), stressed that the Kogi state government will always encourage groups or individuals with such human development initiatives.
