By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The Alumni of Federal Government College (FGC), Ilorin, 1996 Class, has donated a solar-powered borehole, sports equipment and a 3-D printing machine to the school.
Speaking on the sidelines of the inauguration on Monday in Ilorin, Mr Chukwuyere Izuogu, the President of FGC, Ilorin, Class of 1996, stated that the initiative was aimed at solving critical needs in water supply, sports development, and technology learning in the school.
Izuogu explained that the donations was their way of appreciating the foundation the school gave them.
According to him, the water project will ensure that the students no longer suffer water scarcity.
The class president said that the initiative was also to expose the current students to sports and modern technology that would make them globally competitive.
“The solar-powered borehole, fitted with overhead tank, is expected to provide clean water for the entire school population,” he said.
Izuogu also explained that the sports athletic kits were to also revive sporting activities in the school.
According to him, the donation of three brand new 3-D printing machine, donated by a United States-based member, Mr Shola Adekanye, was to stimulate innovative designs.
He explained that the retail price of the machine was put at N3million.
“The world is moving to innovation and design. With this 3-D printer, our students can now bring their ideas to life. Like designing prototypes of sandals or other products,” he said.
Izuogu, who reacted to the proposed privatisation of Unity Schools, said that this would be to the detriment of most Nigerians.
According to him, this will lead to hike in school fees and prevent children of the indigent in Nigeria from accessing quality education from unity schools.
“One of the beautiful things about Federal Government taking charge of unity schools, is the affordability and the unity it has fostered for Nigerians irrespective of social strata, tribe and religion,” he said.
Izuogu appealed to the government to continue with the status quo and ensure the schools remain within the reach of the ordinary citizens.
The 1996 Set of FGC Ilorin
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Re-Union Committee, Mr Enahoro Oherein, explained that the project took the association about six years to execute due to the restriction placed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said that the major challenge then was what to give back to the school, adding that the school has more than 40 Alumni sets since 1972.
“We originally intended solar lights in classrooms and public areas, but when we got here, we heard that some sets have already done that.
“We were informed about the problems with water. We converted existing borehole that was dysfunctional into solar-powered water supply system,” he said
Oherein described the re-union of the old students as nostalgic and surreal, adding that no fewer than 11 of their school mates had since died.
In his appreciative remark, the Principal of the FGC, Ilorin, Dr Paul Agbo, expressed pleasure at the gesture of the 1996 set, adding “this is a thing of joy for the association to give back to the school that shaped their tender years.”
He appealed for more alumni involvement in the development of the school, adding, “government alone cannot do it.”
Agbo also opposed the calls for the privatisation of unity schools, adding that it would be detrimental to children of citizens in the country.
According to him, the unity schools have produced influential people in the country irrespective of their backgrounds.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 1996 set pledged to return to mentor students and maintain the projects.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Bayo Sekoni