By Olushola Abel.
The Majority Leader, Hon. Bello Hassan Abdullahi of Ajaokuta State Constituency, Kogi State House of Assembly during plenary session on Tuesday moved a motion, calling on the State Government to establish Government Secondary School along Gadumo – Ganaja village axis.
Hon. Bello, while presenting the motion, emphasized on the importance of education as bedrock of the general development of the society and as such, education is expected to be brought closer to the people.
While lauding the State Government for establishing schools in other areas of the society, he said the motion is to bring education closer to the residence of the fast growing and populated people and students of Gadumo – Ganaja area.
The motion reads in full:
“Whereas the importance of education as bed rock of the general development of the society cannot be overemphasized. It is in realization of this that schools (Primary and Secondary) spring up in every nooks and crannies of the society especially these days.
“Whereas education is expected to be brought close to the people by the establishment of several private schools across the State but for their high cost, such schools exist only for the privilege few who can afford the price. The children of the down trodden are left with no other option that the public schools owned by government.
“It is as a result of this that the state government at every level embark on educational projects in provision of Primary/Secondary Schools and Tertiary institutions with affordable prices for the general public to acquire learning.
“Whereas in Lokoja metropolis, the state government has done marvelously well by building schools in strategic places to accommodate children from the various localities. Schools like Kabawa Secondary School, Government Day Secondary School Adankolo, Government Science Secondary School and Army Day Secondary School were located strategically to carter for the educational needs of the various areas.
“Whereas the establishment of these Schools pre-dated the growth of areas like the 200 units, Gadumo Village, Aneibo Quarters, 500 Units, Ganaja Village etc. Considerations were never given for the establishment of any Government Secondary School along this axis.
“Whereas as at today, all these settlements have over grown their bounds and hence desiring the establishment of public secondary schools to bring secondary education closer to the children in these areas. The proximity of these schools to these localities will encourage higher school attendance and enhance more qualitative education among the less privileged children. The influx of children in the sub-standard private schools within the vicinity will reduce in favour of the public schools.
“Whereas the danger of students travelling from Ganaja Village through Ganaja Junction to either the Secretariat – Barracks axis or the Post – Office – Kabawa axis will reduce with the alternative public school within Gadumo – Ganaja axis.
“Therefore, in the interest of good people of Gadumo – Ganaja axis, I crave the indulgence of this Honourable House to give this motion a favourable consideration and resolve as follows:
1. That the State Government do establish at least one secondary school within Gadumo – Ganaja axis to carter for the secondary educational needs of the children in these areas.
2. That the communities leaders should put heads together to find a suitable location for the establishment of a secondary school along the axis.
3. That the Committee on Education should take up the matter with the ministry of Education and the Teaching Service Commission/Science, Technology and Technical Education Board to come up with proposal on the actualization of this project.
Hon. Sunday Shigaba of Bassa State Constituency, while seconding the motion, said as a residence of that part of the State he witnesses lots of hiccups and commuters gridlock early hours of everyday due to large number of students who want to transport to their respective schools.
He added that the school if established will drastically reduce the suffering of the students who move far distance to school and the gridlock around Ganaja road/junction will be a thing of the past.
The Speaker while ruling stated that the school will make life easier for students and parents alike.
