In a bold push for digital inclusion in public education, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, on Monday distributed 700 computers to students of Abdul Azeez Attah Memorial College, Okene (AAAMCO), one of the oldest secondary schools in Northern Nigeria.
The initiative, described as a major stride toward digital transformation in Kogi Central schools, is part of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s broader education modernization plan aimed at equipping students with 21st-century skills.
Addressing staff, students, and community leaders at the official handover ceremony, the senator emphasized the critical need to align education with today’s technological realities.
“To educate a mind is to enlighten a mind, and a collection of enlightened minds builds a strong society and a thriving economy,” she said. “Now that we live in the age of artificial intelligence and robotics, it would be an injustice to our children not to provide them with up-to-date learning technology.”
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan noted that the 700 computers will significantly elevate the standard of education in the region, adding that similar interventions will soon be extended to other schools. “Access to digital learning devices should be a necessity for all students in public schools, as it is in Rwanda and Ghana,” she added.
The Ohi of Okene, HRH Alhaji Okatahi Mamman, praised the senator’s foresight and urged the students to use the devices responsibly. “This is a forward-thinking investment in our future,” the royal father said.
Principal of AAAMCO, Mr. Paul Amoh, commended the senator for transforming the school into a model of academic excellence. He recalled earlier interventions which included the construction of a one-kilometer road within the school, renovation of classroom blocks, and installation of solar streetlights.
“She is not just giving us devices, she is giving us a future,” the principal said. “We are now on a path to becoming a fully smart school.”
Also speaking, the National Secretary of the AAAMCO Old Boys Forum, Engr. Yusuf Momohjimoh, applauded the initiative, noting that the transformation of the school has rekindled pride among its alumni. He pledged the Forum’s commitment to safeguarding the devices and ensuring their proper use.
“This gesture will undoubtedly enhance the educational development of our students. It’s not just about computers, it’s about community rebuilding and future readiness,” he said.
Founded in the 1920s, Abdul Azeez Attah Memorial College is a historic institution that has produced many of Nigeria’s finest minds, including former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, among several others.
