By Angela Atabo
The Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA) has appealed to the Federal Government to reconsider the proposed acquisition of part of the land belonging to Federal Government College (FGC), Kano.
The appeal was made during an awareness walk and rallies held simultaneously in Abuja, Lagos and Kano on Saturday.
Speaking at the rally in Abuja, the Vice President-General of USOSA, Chinedu Amure, said the move to convert part of the land into an estate would undermine the long-term growth and legacy of Unity Schools across the country.
“Our concerns regarding the Federal Government’s acquisition of part of the school land are understandable and reflect our deep attachment to an institution that has shaped generations of leaders and patriots.
“We are committed to ensuring that the interests, heritage and future of FGC Kano, and indeed all Unity Schools, are protected while maintaining a cooperative approach that will yield lasting solutions.
“USOSA believes strongly in dialogue, and we are confident that through sustained engagement, understanding and goodwill, a positive outcome can be achieved,” he said.
Amure said the alumni were not opposed to development, reform or government initiatives aimed at national progress, but urged authorities to ensure that educational assets were preserved for future generations.
Speaking on behalf of the President-General of USOSA, Mr Michael Magaji, Amure called on the federal government to continue engaging stakeholders and adopt solutions that would strengthen the legacy of Unity Schools in Nigeria.
Also speaking, Mrs Chide Omali, Global President of the Federal Government Girls’ College, Gboko Old Girls Association, urged the government to protect the original vision behind the establishment of Unity Schools.
Omali described the schools as national institutions created to foster unity, leadership and educational excellence among young Nigerians from diverse backgrounds.
“The land allocated to Unity Schools was not accidental; it was not surplus. It was not meant for disposal. It was deliberate, strategic and visionary.
“They were designed to ensure that these schools would be self-sustaining, expansive and adaptable to future needs.
“When you shrink the land of a Unity School, you do not just reduce space; you reduce possibility. You reduce the ability to run agricultural programmes that can feed students and teach enterprise.”
Omali added that reducing the land size of Unity Schools could limit their ability to accommodate future classrooms, laboratories, ICT centres, sports facilities, vocational training hubs and staff housing.
In his remarks, Mr Yusuf Kazaure, an alumnus of FGC Kano and member of USOSA, encouraged the government to work closely with alumni associations, describing them as valuable partners in educational development.
“The alumni of Unity Schools represent a strong network of professionals, business leaders and public servants willing to contribute meaningfully to the growth of these institutions,” he said.
According to him, alumni groups could support infrastructure development, modernisation projects and educational reforms without placing additional pressure on government resources.
“We appeal to the government to engage stakeholders and explore collaborative solutions that will preserve these institutions while supporting national development goals,” Kazaure added.
Another member of the association, Dr Nasir Wasagu, acknowledged the government’s efforts to address housing and infrastructure challenges nationwide but appealed that educational institutions be protected from encroachment.
“These schools were built with enough land to accommodate future expansion because population growth and educational demands will continue to increase,” he said.
Wasagu cautioned that converting portions of school land into residential or commercial estates could negatively affect the learning environment and compromise the long-term sustainability of the institutions. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
ATAB/FAK
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Edited by Funmilayo Adeyemi
