February 23, (THEWILL) – The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has commissioned the renovated Yahaya Abdulkarim Model Primary School in Sokoto, his alma mater.
Speaking at the school’s 50th anniversary celebration, the Chief of Defence Staff announced a donation of ₦1 million to the school’s teachers and ₦500,000 to the school’s caretaker association. He also presented learning materials to the students.
In his keynote address, General Musa commended the leadership and members of the alumni association for organising the event, which, according to him, serves as a platform for critical discourse on issues of community, national, and global affairs.
He stated that the school had, over the years, served as a citadel of excellence in the training and development of personalities within the old Sokoto State and present-day Nigeria.
“We have to appreciate God, our mentors’ dedication, and members’ hard work and determination, as the school has become a beacon of knowledge and inculcation of good values for years.
“Education is the bedrock of every development. I urge the younger ones not to be deterred by challenges. Put your trust in God, and surely you will move forward,” he said.
He added that he, along with other alumni members, had moved to make significant contributions to their alma mater and further contribute to Nigeria and beyond.
According to him, the platform has created valuable opportunities to exchange memories, reunite with members, and focus on insights that are essential for enhancing community and national development.
In his address, the Deputy Governor of the state, Engineer Idris Gobir, commended General Musa’s gesture, saying it would go a long way in complementing the government’s efforts to uplift the standard of education in the state.
He, however, called on other old students’ associations to emulate the gesture so that, collectively, they could give back to their alma maters.
Also speaking, the school’s Headmistress, Hajiya Libabatu Musa, praised General Musa’s contribution, saying it had uplifted the school’s standard, and encouraged others to follow his example.
She recounted that the school was established in 1973 with two classrooms and 35 students. “Today, it has over 38 classes, 74 teachers, and 2,393 pupils,” she said.
Abdullahi Jimoh, Chairman of the school’s Alumni Association, highlighted the importance of the reunion and thanked the Chief of Defence Staff for the rehabilitation of the school.
Tunde Omolehin is an award-winning Journalist with prose in investigative and storytelling that is connecting the dots between the under-reported communities and policymakers to ensure good governance and accountability.
