Old students of the popular Crowther Memorial College in Lokoja have come up with initiatives to assist the school to improve its infrastructure and its academic records.
The former students association headed by retired Colonel Yomi Dare said the initiatives became imperative in view of the seeming waning fortunes of the institution and the need to return the school to its old days when it was among the best in the northern part of the country.
The association noted that setting up of a Project Management Committee in its last Annual General Meeting was part of efforts to ensure that committed individuals were identified and made to supervise the projects to be executed.
On that note, the association appointed a retired agriculturalist, Dr Abdullahi Denja, who is supported by an array of committed members of the team to ensure projects identified were execution within stipulated time in accordance with specifications.
The Project Management Committee has successfully completed repairs and fixing of many dilapidated doors and windows in many classrooms, with assistance from other similar groups dedicated to making sure the school attains expected standard.
A former student and retired Admiral in the Nigerian Navy, Ibrahim Dirisu assisted in building of toilets and bathrooms for corps members lodge within the institution, in addition to fixing of other toilets within the school which have had their doors fixed by the PMC.
One of the old students flagship project is the new gate for the school aimed at not only giving the institution physical aesthetics, but also aimed at providing security and helping the teachers to imbibe discipline on the students in their care for the purpose of rolling back the old days.
To the PMC chairman, Dr Abdullahi Denja, the gating project would endear the almost sixty year old college to parents and wards and make its products proud again as the lack of suitable gate has robbed the compound of necessary identity, given the antecedents of the institution.
He said though finding was part of the challenges they face as a committee and as old students, he was hopeful that with the gate project taking its proper shape, the need to invest in it would be justified.
Established in 1964, the institution boasts of some prominent individuals across spheres of human endeavour with many of its old students serving in various capacities.