Bauchi gov to spend ₦500m 'rebuilding' secondary school | EduCeleb
EduCeleb
21st December 2020
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has budgeted the sum of N500million in 2021 fiscal year document to rebuild his alma mater—Government Secondary School, Garu.
The Governor’s Special Adviser on Projects,  Baba Mohammed Dadi who represented him made this known over the weekend at the joint 50th and 40th anniversary celebrations and public lecture of the Garu Old Boys Association, GSS Bauchi 1970 and 1980 respectively.
Mohammed lamented that, “our former school was debased because the school had no vanguards to defend its continuous existence. Protecting this institution once rebuilt is now the role of all members of this Association to be led by our national body.
“It is my resolve to rebuild our Alma Mater under this administration by the grace of God. The sum of N500 million has been included in the 2021 budget in order for the school project to commence immediately the budget is passed by the State House of Assembly and signed into law.
“I will rebuild it and will leave you with the challenge of its continual survival till we pass on and the baton will be carried on by those that come after us,” he added.
The Governor added that, “What I saw was a marvelous edifice befitting of a school all of us will be proud to be associated with.
“Discussions are now on between professionals and the staff of the State Ministry of Education for possible inputs by the educationist.”
He said that 20 hectares of land has been identified in Miri district for the project.
Mohammed expressed concerns that if successively completed, subsequent administrations might convert it to a higher institution “or even sell it to the Federal Government because of its beautiful setting and facilities.”
The Chairman of the Occasion, Alhaji Gambo Magaji in his speech, called on the government and private sector to invest in education. According to him, “quality education is the best inheritance a child should be left with.
Magaji, a one time Secretary to the Military Government in Bauchi State, challenged members of the Garu Old Boys Association to ensure that they embark on programmes that would enable them to give back to their alma mater.
In a welcome address, the Interim National Chairman of the Association, Mohammed Kari, called on all sets of the school to organise and affiliate with it, “for the bond of comradeship will always be stronger at any level.
Kari said, “For an institution established as far back as 1915, we can in some way be proud of keeping the flag flying but in so many ways be sad for the lack of the womb that has nurtured these great personalities.”