The Federal Government has commissioned the newly rehabilitated and modernised Government Science Secondary School, Koton-Karfe, Kogi State, following a N1.48 billion intervention facilitated by Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West Senatorial District.
The project, executed under the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), is among 50 senior secondary schools selected nationwide for comprehensive upgrading as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Commissioning the facility on Friday, the Executive Secretary of NSSEC, Dr Iyela Ajayi, represented by Mr Olugbenga Adelogun, said the intervention was designed to provide students with safe, conducive and modern learning environments capable of supporting quality education.
Ajayi stressed that a functional school environment was essential to effective teaching and learning, describing the project as an investment in the future of Nigerian children.
He also commended Senator Karimi for complementing Federal Government efforts in the education sector.
Speaking through retired Navy Commodore Folusho Daniel, Senator Karimi said the Koton-Karfe project was part of his broader efforts to improve education, electricity, water supply and other critical infrastructure across Kogi West.
Karimi disclosed that he personally funded the rehabilitation of Titcombe College, Egbe, at a cost of N350 million, while plans had also been concluded for the construction of Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres in Lokoja, Kabba, Mopa and Isanlu to improve access to UTME for students across the senatorial district.
According to the supervising consultant, Mr Emmanuel Egamana, the project was completed within 24 weeks by Messrs First Man Industry Link Limited.
The upgraded school comprises an administrative block with seven offices and six classrooms, each equipped with 46 seats. It also features four science laboratories and four ICT laboratories, with capacity for 48 students each, alongside modern equipment and furniture.
Other components of the project include an inverter system, solar-powered lighting, a borehole and an overhead water tank, providing the institution with improved power and water infrastructure.
The Chairman of the Kogi State Senior Secondary Education Board, Mrs Habiba Suleiman, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the intervention and appealed for additional support for schools across the state.
The school Principal, Mr Inusa Dauda, pledged that the facilities would be properly maintained and judiciously utilised.
He, however, appealed for the construction of a perimeter fence and deployment of additional security personnel to protect the school against theft and other security threats.
The Ohimege Igu of Koton-Karfe, HRM Dr Saidu Akawu Salihu, was represented at the commissioning ceremony.
Residents of Koton-Karfe described the intervention as a significant milestone that would strengthen science and technology education while creating a more conducive environment for students and teachers in the community.