Press Release

Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has said the funding of education,at all levels, was a collective responsibility.

” Ensuring the funding , equipping and providing the general needs of schools,at all levels, is the responsibility of all and sundry .

” This ardous task should not be left to the three tiers of government alone, although education falls on the concurrent list in the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, as amended,” Bagudu, averred.

Bagudu spoke, Tuesday, at the presentation and commissioning of Bunza Waje Primary School renovated by Major General Muktar Bunza , in Bunza town, Bunza Local Government of the State .

The school was renovated by one of its old boys, Major General Muktar Muhammed Bunza, Commander, Nigerian Army Corp of Education.

According to the Kebbi State Governor:” Everyone must contribute to the funding of education, so that we can hugely achieve our desired objectives.

” This is the only way our dear state can become at par with its contemporaries or surpass whatever they might have achieved, courtesy of education.”

Bagudu also acknowledged the invaluable sacrifices being made by myriad of academics of the state’s descent at various levels of education.

The Governor was delighted such immeasurable contributions of the academics and other stakeholders were yielding the desired fruits.

Bagudu maintained that, Kebbi State was adjudged to be one of the best performing states if not the leading state in the Better Education Service Delivary for All,( BESDA) which is a $750m World Bank Assisted Project focussing on getting out of school children, back to classroom .

The governor eulogized the initiator of the project, Major General Muktar Muhammed Bunza, for remembering his Alma mata, as well as lauded another Major General from the state, Major General Aminu Bande.

He described the duo as humble, committed and patriotic indigenes of the state, who have been part of it’s steady success stories .

‘ The two Major Generals are true illustrous sons of Kebbi and inspiration to young generation.

‘ I am proud of their achievements, they are great achievers ‘, he commended.

Bagudu also lauded the duo for their efforts in the establishment of Military Command Schools in Kebbi.

The Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu announced that before the end of 2021, Kebbi State Government will spend 7 billion naira in refurbishing and construction of new primary and secondary schools across the state .

The governor used the occasion to condole with military over the loss of their officers in the unfortunate tragic Nigerian Airforce Plane crash which occured recently.

Earlier, the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru while commending Major General Muktar Muhammed for the renovation project, appreciated the valuable support of governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for donating vehicles and motorcycles to assist the army in the its operation to flush out bandits in the state.

According to him ‘ Such a laudable gesture would assist the military in carrying out its onerous task of providing security’.

The Chief of Army Staff also recognized the governor for his unrelenting assistance to the Army Commands Secondary Schools in the state and his regular visits to know the condition of the schools .

On the project carried out by Major General Muktar Muhammed Bunza, the Army Chief expressed delight saying that the General did not forget his Alma mata, as well as lauded his zeal and passion for the development of education not only in Kebbi State but across the country.

The Nigerian Army he said,has attached premium to educational development with officers like Major General Muktar Muhammed leading the derive which he has been consistently doing as the Commander, Nigerian Army Corp of Education.

‘ Nigerian Army has established 8 commands Secondary schools of which two are in Kebbi State, a testimony to our concern in education ‘, he averred.

The Chief of Army Staff was represented by Major General Aminu Bande, GOC, 8 Division , Nigeria Army Sokoto.

The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Alhaji Muhammadu Magawata Aliero and Professor Aliyu Muhammad Bunza, the Chairman of Bunza Local Education Authority appreciated and commended Major General Muktar Muhammed Bunza for renovation of the school.

The Kebbi State Governor, they opined have done well in his effort to reform education.

Aliero emphasized that government cannot shoulder the responsibility of providing education to all even with the total budgetary allocation of Kebbi State especially with meager resources in the coffers of Government.

Major General Muhammed Muktar Bunza, Corps Commander , Nigerian Army Education Corps, who carried out the project for the renovation of the school said the project was executed with permission by Chief of Army Staff.

The project he said gulped over 30 million naira with the intention to renovate two other classroom blocks to establish a library and computer laboratory, but insufficient funds stalled the project.

He appealed to Kebbi State Government to fence the school while thanking governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for his support with a similar appreciation to professor Aliyu Muhammed Bunza , Sarkin Bunza, Dr. Mustapha Bunza, the entire Bunza Community for their understanding, encouragement and support.

The project consist of renovation of 9 blocks of 18 classrooms, 2 Staff rooms, Head Master’s Office, Office furniture, 12 Toilets, 1 store, Desks and Chairs for 1,500 pupils, School Bags for 1,500 as well as writing materials for 1,500 pupils.

Souvenirs were presented to governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the Chief of Army Staff and emir of Gwandu and the Bunza Community also presented a white horse to the chief of Army Staff which was performed by the representative of the emir of Gwandu, Magajin Rafin Gwandu, Barrister Aliyu Sambo.

Signed

YAHAYA SARKI
Special Adviser (SA) Media to Kebbi State Governor
23/2/2021