TY Danjuma donates N500m as KAOBA launches N5bn drive to rehabilitate Katsina-Ala faculty

Former Defence Minister, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, has donated N500 million to the Katsina-Ala Old Boys Association (KAOBA) to assist its N5 billion fundraising marketing campaign for the rehabilitation and modernisation of Government College, Katsina-Ala, Benue State.

The donation was introduced by the Benue State Deputy Governor, Barrister Sam Ode who represented Governor Hyacinth Alia in a separate interview on the facility improve fundraising held in Abuja on Monday.

Danjuma, who was represented by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Justice James Ogebe (retd.), additionally referred to as on the Benue State Government to take major accountability for rehabilitating the establishment, noting that the previous boys and different benefactors may solely help.

Danjuma, who described the situation of the college as actually appalling, mentioned its amenities had deteriorated considerably and required substantial funding to revive them.

He appealed to the state authorities to work with KAOBA to enhance the college’s infrastructure for the advantage of future generations.

“We are just assisting. It’s not our responsibility as such. It’s the responsibility of Benue State Government, and it has been neglected for too long,” he mentioned.

On his half, Alia mentioned the Benue State Government would accomplice with the previous boys to revive the establishment, describing its current situation as appalling and assuring that the federal government wouldn’t abdicate its accountability to rehabilitate the college.

He expressed dedication to the venture, stressing that the federal government, as proprietor of the establishment, had an obligation to revive its misplaced glory.

The governor additionally disclosed that the state authorities would make a monetary contribution in direction of the fundraising initiative, including that the federal government would transfer speedily to deal with the college’s challenges no matter the quantity realised on the occasion.

Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, represented by his Special Adviser, Simon Tyungu, counseled Danjuma for his contributions to KAOBA and the event of the school.

Akume described the fundraising initiative as an funding in schooling, human capital growth and the way forward for Nigeria.

He mentioned Government College, Katsina-Ala, was greater than a faculty, having formed the character and management of generations of Nigerians who had served the nation throughout numerous sectors.

According to him, the N5 billion improve venture would supply fashionable laboratories, improved hostels, data and communications expertise centres, sporting amenities and well-equipped school rooms.

He mentioned the proposed enhancements would create an atmosphere during which self-discipline, honesty, excellence and compassion may thrive.

Akume mentioned the initiative aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises schooling, youth growth and human capital growth.

He urged the previous boys to present again to the establishment that had contributed to their private {and professional} growth, whereas calling on company organisations, philanthropists and different mates of the school to assist the marketing campaign.

“Five billion naira is big, but together it is achievable,” he mentioned, urging stakeholders to contribute not solely financially but in addition by means of their time, experience {and professional} networks.

The SGF additionally assured the affiliation of the Federal Government’s assist for initiatives aimed toward enhancing the standard of schooling and infrastructure in public colleges, saying related ministries and businesses could be engaged to discover doable assist inside accessible assets.

He congratulated KAOBA on the initiative, noting that the success of the venture could be an enduring legacy for future generations.

In his remarks, the National President of KAOBA, Chief Anthony Adda, mentioned the fundraising initiative was aimed toward mobilising previous college students, well-wishers, company organisations and philanthropists to improve the school to fashionable requirements and supply a conducive studying atmosphere.

Adda recalled that the establishment was established in 1915 at Wannune, in present-day Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State. It was initially often called Middle School earlier than being renamed Provincial Secondary School, Government Secondary School and ultimately Government College, Katsina-Ala.

He mentioned the school had produced notable Nigerians who had contributed to manpower growth at native, state and federal ranges.

According to him, the college at the moment faces critical infrastructural challenges, together with the absence of a fringe fence, dilapidated school rooms constructed within the Nineteen Sixties and an meeting corridor whose roof has been blown off.

He additionally mentioned the T.Y. Danjuma Examination Hall, constructed within the Nineteen Sixties, was in a poor state and required pressing rehabilitation.

Adda recognized the absence of a fringe fence as one of many college’s main challenges, saying it had uncovered the establishment to perennial encroachment by farmers and settlers onto its land.

He mentioned the fundraising marketing campaign was supposed to arrest the deterioration, defend the college’s property and facilitate the rehabilitation of current constructions, in addition to the development of recent amenities.

The KAOBA president expressed appreciation to Danjuma for beforehand intervening within the college’s infrastructural disaster by offering monetary help for the rehabilitation of 5 scholar hostels that had grow to be dilapidated and unsuitable for studying.

He additionally raised issues over the sale of employees quarters by earlier administrations in Benue State, saying the event had adversely affected lecturers’ welfare.

Adda disclosed that the previous boys, working with the state authorities, had been pursuing the return of the quarters to the school, including {that a} authorities white paper had directed that the amenities be returned.

He, nonetheless, referred to as for the political will to implement the directives contained within the white paper.

“We must invest today to preserve the legacy bequeathed to us so that our old school can continue to shape the leaders of tomorrow,” he mentioned, urging people and organisations to contribute in direction of the venture.