NEDC Hands Over Mega Schools to Yobe Government
By Baba Dan’iya
The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has handed over newly constructed mega school facilities to the Yobe Government, in a ceremony held on Tuesday in Potiskum Local Government Area.
The Minister of Regional Development, Alhaji Uba Ahmadu, who led the Federal Government delegation, lauded the quality of the infrastructure delivered, describing the initiative as a strategic boost to educational development in the state.
“Everything has been said and done. I am pleased, and we are all delighted with the quality of work delivered here,” Ahmadu stated.
He added that during the physical inspection of the facilities, stakeholders made observations which have been duly communicated to the relevant authorities, including the NEDC Managing Director and the Yobe State Government, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
The projects handed over include two-storey structures for both primary and junior secondary school sections. For the primary section, the facilities comprise four blocks of 24 classrooms, eight stores, and 32 toilets.
The junior secondary school section features an administrative block with seven offices, a store and six toilets; a block of two units of two-bedroom staff quarters; and a commercial centre housing four shops and two toilets.
Additional facilities include a school clinic equipped with an emergency room, resting room, two wards, a pharmacy and toilets; a gatehouse with perimeter fencing; solar streetlights; a generator set; a power transformer; an electric borehole; and both overhead and ground water tanks housed in a dedicated powerhouse.
In his remarks, Governor Mai Mala Buni, represented by the SSG, Baba Malam Wali, expressed deep appreciation to the NEDC and Federal Government for the intervention.
“It is on this note that I have the honour and privilege to officially receive the three school structures – the one in Potiskum and two others in Gashua and Buni-Yadi on behalf of His Excellency and the government of Yobe State,” Wali said.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Bukar Aji, described the handover as a major milestone in the state’s educational revitalisation efforts.
“Education is the happiest sector today in Yobe State. You may recall that upon assumption of office, Gov Buni declared a state of emergency in education. Glory be to Allah, we are witnessing the fulfilment of that vision,” Aji said.
He disclosed that enrolment figures in the state currently stand at 20,200, and that plans are underway to relocate 40 per cent of the students from the old sites to the new mega school facilities beginning Wednesday.
“This project will be judiciously utilised by the grace of God. The people and government of Yobe State are indeed grateful,” he added.
