By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
The Kogi State Government has called for increased private-sector participation in the rehabilitation of public schools, saying government alone cannot bridge the infrastructure gap in the state’s education sector.
The appeal came as the government commended the Henry Adetayo Foundation for transforming Community Secondary School, Oke Agi, in Mopamuro Local Government Area, into a modern educational facility.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Kingsley Femi Fanwo, made the call on Wednesday while inspecting the reconstructed school, describing the intervention as a demonstration of responsible citizenship and an investment in the future of the community.
Fanwo praised the foundation, led by Engr. Adebayo Mike Arayegbemi, for choosing to rebuild the school rather than merely drawing attention to its dilapidated condition.
He said the project offered a practical example of how public-private collaboration could complement government efforts in the education sector.
“This is an example to others. We need many private individuals like Engr. Adebayo to support what the government is doing. He did not make videos of the bad state of the school to bring down the image of the school. He simply rebuilt it and turned it into a model for others to emulate,” Fanwo said.
The commissioner said the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo had continued to prioritise education, committing more than 30 per cent of its expenditure to the sector.
He, however, acknowledged that the scale of infrastructure needs across the state made the support of individuals, foundations and organisations necessary.
Fanwo said the government was simultaneously rebuilding and remodelling schools in various parts of the state, including Adaakolo, Nagazi and Okebukun, as part of efforts to improve public education infrastructure and restore confidence in government-owned schools.
He added that the growing involvement of private citizens in development projects was an indication of increasing confidence in the administration’s commitment to good governance and prudent management of public resources.
The commissioner further disclosed that the state government would consider taking over the management of the reconstructed Oke Agi school, assuring the community that the Ministry of Education was already working towards integrating the facility into the state education system.
He commended the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones, and his team for their efforts towards improving educational infrastructure and service delivery across the state.
The reconstructed facility comprises nine blocks of classrooms, four administrative offices, laboratories, a library, a computer laboratory and an examination hall designed to provide students with a more conducive learning environment.
It is also equipped with a solar power installation capable of supplying electricity around the clock, a development expected to support teaching, learning and the use of digital resources.
As part of his support for the students, Fanwo pledged N1.75 million in scholarships and communication gadgets to enhance their access to educational resources.
Earlier, the Danayangun of Oke Agi, HRH Oba Joshua Are, expressed appreciation to the Henry Adetayo Foundation for the intervention, saying the project was about 99 per cent complete.
Oba Are also thanked Fanwo, who was accompanied by government officials and political leaders from Mopamuro, for inspecting the facility ahead of its planned commissioning later in the year.
He described the reconstruction as a landmark project that would benefit Oke Agi and neighbouring communities for years to come.
(Ends)