The Nigerian Navy has inaugurated Major I. E. Muazu Memorial Primary School in Adunu community in Paikoro Local Government of Niger State. Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), inaugurated the project in Adunu on Thursday. Ogalla, represented by Rear Admiral Julius Nwagu, Acting Chief of Naval Transformation, said the project was a civil-military engagement, aimed at fostering harmonious relations between the Navy and local communities.
Ogalla said the project was executed under the CNS Special Intervention Quick Impact Project Scheme in honour of Rear Admiral Istifanus Mua’zu -Albara, Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command. “We decided to encourage every Rear Admiral in Nigeria Navy to initiate projects that will benefit their communities; we have over 15 CNS-sponsored projects nationwide. “The rear admirals are to identify critical quick impact projects that will have maximum impact on the socio-economic wellbeing of grassroots communities,” he said. He said provision of infrastructure for early educational training was key to emancipating illiteracy and poverty, adding that through the project, children would have access to quality education.
Ogalla added that the renovated school, benefiting over 118 children, symbolised hope and opportunity for youths in Paikoro Local Government. In his welcome address, Mua’zu-Albara, disclosed that Major I.E. Muazu Memorial Primary School started as a missionary school in the early 50s. He disclosed that the project was a two new classroom blocks consisting of five classrooms, two offices as well as three renovated blocks of classrooms. He added that the project included the construction of a perimeter fence for the school, construction of a security post in line with the safe school initiative. According to him, others are modern toilet facilities, furniture for the classrooms/offices along with provision of solar powered lightning units within the school premises. Mua’zu-Albara said the project would address infrastructure deficit in the community and elevate its educational standard, foster a deeper connection between the community and the armed forces.
In his remarks, Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger, emphasised the need for collective support to revamp the educational sector. Bago, represented by Hajiya Hadiza Mohammed, Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, called on council chairmen to take ownership of school properties, given their deteriorated condition statewide. He said as products of public schools, they should ensure institutions does not fall short of expectation and urged all stakeholders to collaborate and take charge. The District Head of Adunu, Alhaji Kabiru Bawa, thanked Bago for addressing security concerns in the area enabling residents to sleep peacefully. He commended the Navy for the new facility and called on the state government to intervene on the deplorable Kafin-koro-Adunu road and the restoration of electricity in Adunu community.
