To the Executive Governor of Kogi State
Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo
Your Excellency,
The projects you approved at today’s Executive Council meeting, including the construction of hostels for medical students, staff quarters for doctors, and the completion of the Faculty of Engineering at CUSTECH, Osara as well as your recent approval of a multipurpose laboratory at Prince Abubakar Audu University, are commendable. These are clear indications of your commitment to the advancement of education in Kogi State. I sincerely appreciate your efforts.
However, I wish to draw your attention to critical area that equally require urgent attention in our education sector.
While your focus on higher institutions is timely and necessary, we must not neglect the foundation of education which are our primary and secondary schools. The state of many public schools is deeply disheartening. Some classrooms lack roofs, while others have no chairs for pupils. Some don’t have enough structures. Due to years of neglect, many parents now avoid sending their children to public schools especially the primary school.
Our public primary and secondary schools are also understaffed. It is not a matter of lacking competent or willing individuals who are ready to teach but the lack of motivation and incentives from the government. A conducive learning environment is essential, yet what currently exists in many parts of the state is far below expectations.
Focusing on higher institutions while neglecting primary and secondary education is like developing the roof of a building without securing its foundation. If our purpose or desire is to produce quality graduates from our universities and polytechnics, we must begin with strong investments in the primary and secondary levels.
Today, many teachers will teach for many years and retire without being able to afford a piece of land, let alone a house they not because they don’t dream of it, but because their salaries make it impossible. Can such a profession attract passionate individuals? Teaching at the primary level is one of the most demanding jobs, yet it receives the least reward.
Whatever plans you have for revamping basic education, teachers’ welfare must be the top priority. Infrastructure without manpower is a waste of resources.
Recently, the Gov of Kaduna State, Uba Sanni handed over houses to families affected by banditry through a partnership with Qatar Charity (Sanabil Project). Mall El-Rufai had also used this same initiative when he was the governor of Kaduna state to create new settlements in the state. Sir, a similar approach can be adopted in Kogi State, affordable housing for primary school teachers, funded through public-private partnerships. A small deduction from teachers’ salaries, after salary increment, could gradually cover the cost. Such a step could restore pride and purpose to the teaching profession and revitalize our public schools.
Every impactful leader is remembered for something. Your predecessor is known as the most Security Conscious governor in the history of Kogi state. I would be proud to see you remembered as the most teacher-friendly governor in the history of Kogi state.
Remember, without our primary school teachers, I would not have been able to write this message, and you might not have been able to read it or become the governor. They are the foundation of all we are today.
Give our pupils joy in attending school, and our teachers pride in fulfilling their duties.
Sir, consider declaring state of emergency on our public primary and secondary schools.
Yours sincerely,
Your unrecognized ardent supporter,
Engr. Ira Habib
