Recently, I took a trip to Abdul-Aziz Atta Memorial College Okene (AAAMCO), a famous Secondary School with an outstanding seal “Lion of the North”. I met with the Principal and other administrators, dialogued with them and they brought me to the picture of what their challenges are. Among others, water was explicitly what they bemoaned as one of their supreme challenges.
I assured them something will be done. They giggled and responded, “we have heard similar promises in the time past”. Then I said: “I am different”.
I actually had somebody in mind before making such pledge and the person hardly disappoints especially as it concerns lives and education. Curious they were and they asked, “how soon?”, I responded “in few days”. They looked at one another and chuckled once again.
But did you know what? I actually had in mind the Chief of Staff to Governor Yahaya Bello, Pharm. Abdulkareem Muh’dJamiu Asuku, having known he is one of their products. I took photoshots of the condition of the school’s well water and, in addition, the only borehole that serves them and the neighboring community and sent it to the Chief of Staff.
Chief Abdulkareem Asuku, on getting the pictures portraying the condition of the school cum the yearning of the current administrators, said “I am going to get it done, the needful will be done starting with their dire needs for water, it will be revitalized in no time”.
Few days after, Chief Asuku mobilized us and a standard borehole was sunk and commissioned with immediate alacrity and with the promise to Do More.
I may not be an alumnus of AAAMCO, but my point in essence after a sequence on the great schools in Nigeria is that, there was a time when Abdul Aziz Attah Memorial College, Okene was ranked as the true pride of the North, with the sheer quality of scholarship, and the superiority of their graduates, amongst other advanced points.
Taking a contemporary look at these schools, and starting with AAAMCO in exact. which has the inspiring and heroic motto ‘Lion of the North, I think the ex-students have done nothing.
Education is a never-ending process. We continue to learn even after we graduate, and nothing is often more apparent than when we give back to our alma-maters. In fact, according to Samar Mubarakmand, “Wherever you go and whatever ends you pursue, you must always fulfill the trust reposed in you by your nation, your parents, and alma-mater”.
Abdul-Aziz Attah Memorial College Okene was established in 1933 by the colonial administration in Nigeria with a view to train young Nigerians who will eventually take over the running of the day to day activities of the nation among other needs then. Doxology to God that the citadel has achieved and still achieving her utmost goal considering the series of prominent personalities that had graduated from the institution.
A yet-to-be completely verified studies have gathered that General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, popularly known as IBB, a military President of Nigeria from 1985 to1993, Senator Dino Melaye, Senator Ahmed Salawu Ogembe, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, Prof. Olubunmi, Chief J.O Omuya, Co-Author of Frank Wood Accounting (CBN rtd), Mr. Majebi Emmanuel, Prof. Samuel and host of others are all alumni of the institution.
Only Chief Ozigi Omuya and Chief Abdulkareem MuhammadJamiu Asuku, the Chief of Staff to Governor Yahaya Bello, that have shown care with the promised to do more. A hundred to thousands of ex-students of the citadel haven’t woke up to the concerns of the school.
A quick reminder once again after a tour round the institution and a dialogue with the administrators has shown that AAAMCO is facing lots of challenges. One is the need for perimeter fencing – to avert encroachment by herdsmen, thugs and a resting place for religious extremists driven by the government of Alh. Yahaya Bello.
The school also need a separate transformer for the school, school bus(es), ICT centre, street light, guards, e-library, road networks and school gate renovation to a modern architectural design, plus the signboards.
My position is not a politically motivated one but a neural call on Abdul Aziz Memorial College Okene Old Boys Forum and to commend those that had made efforts, to remind those with the capacity but out of willpower, and to pray for those who wish to do but are incapacitated.
Lastly, I believe it won’t be termed biased if use this opportunity to appreciate the ever kindhearted, passionate and compassionate personality, the easygoing Chief of Staff to His Excellency, Alh Yahaya Bello, Chief Abdulkareem Asuku Jamiu who through his foundation, Pharm. Abdulkareem Asuku Youths Empowerment Foundation (PAAYEF) empowered 250 women and youths on the 2nd of January, 2021 and same day commissioned a standard borehole in Abdul-Aziz Attah Memorial College Okene and with the promise to do more.
I urge every other prominent alumni of the school and some individual affluents to emulate Pharm Asuku. They should join hands and reclaim the school and to redefine the name it was formerly known to be “Lion of the North”, because in togetherness; we can always make positive impact.
– Prince Suleiman Adinoyi writes from Lokoja.
