50 Years Anniversary: Izom Old Students Celebrate, Commission Projects
By Juliet Vincent
The old students of Government Science School Izom have celebrated 50 years anniversary, commissioned projects and donated learning equipments which include a borehole, a toilet, sets of tables, reagents for laboratories and launched a Magazine.
The celebration was held at the school’s premises in Izom, Gurara local government area of Niger State over the weekend.
The former students stated that, their stay in the school and the knowledge acquired has shaped their lives to become who they are in their chosen professions.
In his remark, the National President, IZOBA, Professor Abdulkadir Abubakar, reminded that, as their Alma Mater, they have seen the importance of what they have gotten in the school in both learning and character, hence the decision to give back in kind.
He said, “Today, we gather to celebrate the culmination of our efforts to give back to our alma mater. These projects, which include the construction of toilets, refurbishing and construction of classroom desks, boreholes, donation of textbooks to the library, and supplying chemicals and reagents for the chemistry, physics, and biology laboratories, demonstrate our commitment to improving the learning environment and enhancing the educational experience for the students of Izom Secondary School.
“We are proud of what we have achieved, and we believe that these projects will have a positive impact on the school community. The construction of toilets and boreholes will improve sanitation and hygiene, while the refurbishing and construction of classroom desks will provide a more conducive learning environment. The donation of textbooks and laboratory equipment will enhance the teaching and learning process”.
He called on the state government to return the school to its former status and provide a transformer as the school is suffering from lack of power which he said is affecting its operations.
In his remark, the pioneer secretary, IZOBA, Mallam Umar Shu’aibu gave a rundown of the history of the school since inception.
According to him, the old students gathered have been there four and five decades ago adding that, the celebration was a celebration of excellence and a way to appreciate a lifetime event.
He said that Izom and demarcation of the borders of the FCT started from Izom and passed through the school saying that, the town has a special place in the history of the federal capital.
He called on the state government to prioritize science education as it is key to development saying that, the country can only develop if it lays a solid foundation for science and other related disciplines.
Speaking to journalists, he said, “The success being recorded, all what we want is that achievement to continue. Don’t forget, for two years, consecutively, 2017,2019, there was a National Science Quiz organized by a private organisation, this school, Government Science Izom represented Niger State and came first in all.
“And in all these, the old students have tried and are encouraging this. Why, because since the formation of the old students association, we called it IZOBA. In the last 20 years, we have helped with the upgrade of the school’s infrastructure, provide books and reagents for their laboratories as a Science College”.
Speaking, another old students, the Registrar National Examination Council (NECO), Prof. Dantani Wushishi who reiterated the importance of education said that, the school imparted the foundation of the knowledge they acquired later in life.
He noted that, it has always been an inspiration in their lives hence the need to commemorate and celebrate its existence and contribute to its continued progress for the next generations to come.
In his address, the Special guest, Niger State’s governor, Umar Mohammed Bago who was represented by the Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Asabe Muhammed noted that, the School has been earmarked for extensive renovation through the AGILE intervension.
The Commissioner further informed that, the school will revert to its Boarding status and directed that, everything needed should be forwarded for the necessary action to be taken.
She informed that, the State has created committees under the Chairmanship of local government Chairmen, which will ensure the implementation of programmes and policies aimed at improving educational development in Niger State.
Highlight of the event was the commissioning of a Borehole, a newly built toilets and sets of tables and chairs donated by the old students association and the launch of a Magazine named Chronicle Magazine.
A dinner and award night was later held at the Zuma Rock Golf Resort where some.of the old students received excellence awards for their contributions to national development in their various fields.
Those who received awards at the dinner and award night include; Mallam Umar Shu’aibu and others.
