IGS @ 55: Declare state of emergency in education…. Comrade Issah Aremu

The Federal Government of Nigeria has been challenged to declare a state of
national emergency on education in view of an alarming figure of over 10millions out of school children currently on the streets.

The advice was given by the Director General of Michael Imoudu Labour Institute, Comrade Issa Aremu at the 55th Founders Day of Ilorin Grammar School(IGS)held at the premises of the school at the weekend.

The Director General of the institute who warned that the problem is a time bomb if it is combined with mass illiteracy and mass unemployment appealed to government to quickly reinvent the public schools to restore them to their old glory.

He expressed concern that Nigeria is the only country in Sub-Sahara Continent of Africa with the highest number of out of school children, attributing this as cause of series of criminality the country faces today, Stressing the need for Nigeria to go back to the public school, he described education as the most powerful weapon that can be used to change the world.

Comrade Aremu who is an alumni of IGS and the guest speaker at the 55 years anniversary of the school graced by many old students commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for singling out IGS in Ilorin West Local Government among the 29 public schools he had renovated.

He called on State Governors to collaborate with Federal Government to reclaim public schools saying that if poorer Nigeria of the 1960s, 1970s could maintain schools, the richer Nigeria of today has no excuse than to make public schools better.

Earlier In his opening remarks, the National President of Ilorin Grammar School Old Students Association, Alhaji Alabi Funsho Owolabi described the occasion as symbolic not only because it gave many old friends to see one another but also served as litmus test to see what the old students can do as a body.

He noted that Ilorin Grammar School has come of age at 55, having produced many important personalities scattered across the world.

He thanked the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for the comprehensive renovation of the school, reiterating that the school was among many other schools considered for the facelift.

He also thanked every set of the old students for their collective and individual sacrifices and contributions which made their alma mater remain a pride to all and sundry.

In her own remarks, the Principal of the school, Mrs. Abdullahi Muslimat Iyabo reiterated that she has introduced good programmes that would improve the moral and academic life of the students.
The programmes included according to her, termly counseling for the students on contemporary societal issues that would shape the life of the students towards becoming better individuals among other programmes.
She pledged to double her efforts to take the school to greater heights.

The highlight of the occasion was the launching of one hundred million naira for the reconstruction of the school hall.