The old students’ association of government science college, Kagara, Rafi local government has called on the Niger state government to reopen the school to enable children, particularly those in the area to return to school.
The national president of the association, and permanent secretary, economic affairs, office of the secretary to Niger state government, Idris Abdullahi Legbo, alongside other officials of the association made the call during stakeholders meeting with community leaders and parents held at the palace of the district head of Kagara, Alhaji Mohammed Saliu Tanko.
The old students also sought the collaboration, partnership and support of the Kagara emirate council and other critical stakeholders towards successful return of academic activities in the college.
Legbo expressed concern over the negative impact the continuous closure of the school would have on the future of children that have dropped out.
The college has been under lock and key since February 2021, when bandits invaded and kidnapped staff and students in the hostel and staff quarters.
The governor of Niger state at the time of the incident, Senator Sanni Bello, ordered the immediate closure of the school and all boarding schools in the area due to the increased activities of bandits and kidnappers, the Governor said, at the time, the action was necessary to save the life of the students as the areas have already been taken over by bandits.
Following the incident, the old students’ association rallied to rebuild the school and give it the much-needed facelift, among them, a former senator, Shehu Sanni, who estimated, at the time, the cost of the rebuild will be close to ₦500 million. He said “Rebuilding the school will cost about ₦500 million at a modest cost. What we are doing now is to task ourselves because we cannot do it all.”
“We are also seeking an appointment with the governor to see how we can discuss with him so as to rebuild the school.”
