By Angela Atabo

The 2001 set of Government Secondary School (GSS), Kuje, Abuja, has invested in students’ welfare and technology education through the provision of water facilities, solar power maintenance and furniture for its robotics laboratory.

Chairman of the alumni set, Mr Ahmed Zakari, disclosed this while inaugurating projects during the set’s 25th anniversary celebration in Abuja on Monday.

Zakari said the initiative was to improve the learning environment and give back to the institution.

According to him, the initiative also aims to make a meaningful contribution to the school that shaped the lives and careers of its members.

He said the projects included the maintenance of the school’s solar powered system, installation of water tank at the boys’ hostel and extension of borehole water supply to the girls’ hostel.

He said the set also provided tables and chairs for the robotics laboratory to support practical learning and encourage students to explore technology and innovation.

“We wanted our 25th anniversary to mean something. We wanted to return to the school that helped shape us and leave behind something that would benefit those coming after us.

“It is in this spirit that we embarked on projects to improve the school environment and support the learning and well-being of current and future students.

“These projects may differ in size and purpose, but they all reflect one simple idea: we want to make a positive difference.”

Zakari explained the projects might not address all the challenges facing the school but represented a meaningful step towards improving students’ welfare and educational experience.

He said that the teachers that taught the set as well as administrative staff were also not left behind as they were empowered with cash donations and bags of rice.

He urged other alumni sets to embrace similar initiatives, stressing that collective contributions could transform the school.

In his remarks, Mr Onyeka Ofodile, a member of the set’s Fundraising Committee, said the projects were inspired by the desire to give back to the community that had contributed significantly to their development.

Ofodile said members had pursued different careers, adding that their achievements were partly attributable to the education and values acquired at GSS Kuje.

“We are here to celebrate 25 years after we have graduated. We came here as kids, but we are coming back here as men and women in our various endeavours.

“So, we are just here to celebrate with the teachers and the school that has impacted our lives so much.”

He expressed satisfaction with the school’s development, noting improvements in infrastructure and the learning environment since their graduation.

Also speaking, Abubakar Ibrahim, the set’s Head Boy, described the school’s teachers as builders whose discipline, guidance and commitment had shaped the lives of the alumni.

“To the students here, you are lucky to be a student of GSS Kuje because wherever you go within Abuja here today, the school is still standing out.We have not found anything negative about this school since we came and left.”

Ibrahim urged students to take their studies seriously, respect their teachers and remain disciplined, saying their experiences in school would help determine their future.

The set’s Head Girl, Mrs Grace Nehemiah, also commended the teachers for their sacrifices, including the use of personal resources to support students when teaching material were inadequate.

“Today, as mothers and fathers, we now understand the sacrifices we could not see as children. Thank you for teaching us even when teaching material were not enough.

“Thank you for staying after school to help us even as boarding students, for your patience when we were stubborn, and for correcting us with love. You gave us your strength, your time, and your knowledge even when the reward was little.”

Nehemiah urged students to cherish their school, obey their teachers and become worthy ambassadors of the institution.

The Principal of GSS Kuje, Dr Adam Bello-Gupa, represented by the Vice Principal, Administration, Margaret Agbugba, appreciated the alumni for the projects, saying their contributions would support teaching and learning.

“I really want to appreciate Almighty God for your lives. I want to use the opportunity again to appreciate you for what you have done to the school.

“Years ago, we taught you morals, we taught you academics, and now you have come back to give to the school that murdered you. We appreciate all your efforts. May Almighty God bless you all,”Bello-Gupa said.(NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab