By Olawale Lamina
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike has commenced the rehabilitation of no fewer than 19 schools at the nation’s capital, stating that the move is in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
Wike kick started the project on Thursday with the ‘FCT School for Gifted’ in Gwagwalada, observing that the premises of most of the secondary schools in the FCT had been trespassed on by herdsmen and others.
The minister informed that the 19 schools were earmarked for the project were based on the Supplementary Budget of 2023. He assured that, for the 2024 Budget, the FCTA will be focusing on another set of 20 schools for rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Wike commended the National Assembly for expeditiously passing the FCT 2024 Budget, emphasizing the pivotal place of a proper, conducive and habitable learning environment.
“I thank all of you, and I thank the students, and I want to assure you that all the expectations will be met.
“It is not only access to education. If you give access to education without quality, then you have not given education.
“While we are providing access, we must also provide quality. And quality entails that one, the environment must be conducive, the environment must be something that is habitable, the hostels and where you take care of yourself is very important.
“So, be assured that we will give you the best. We are looking into the teachers too, how we are going to provide quality teachers to teach our students.”
Also, the Mandate Secretary of the Education Secretariat, Dr Danlami Hayyo, said that the FCT minister had approved the sum of N280m as scholarship for over 130, 000 indigent students of the FCT, at all levels of education.
The mandate secretary said that the schools’ turn around measure was to ensure a good foundation for the children.
“He said: “As we flag-off the rehabilitation of several schools across the FCT, this initiative is not just about brick and mortar, it is about laying the foundation for a brighter future for our children.
“Permit me to state that the Honorable Minister recently graciously approved the disbursement of the total sum of N280, 296, 000 as a scholarship to 13,964 fresh and existing indigent students, across all levels of education in the FCT.
“This is to ensure that no child is left behind. Also, for the first time in 25 years, the Schools Sports Festival was held successfully. All these are testaments to the Honorable Minister’s commitment to the total development of our future leaders.”
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