Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has begun the rehabilitation of 19 schools in the territory, an action he said is in fulfillment of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
While flagging off the project on Thursday at the FCT School for Gifted in Gwagwalada, the minister noted that the premises of most of the secondary schools in the territory had been encroached on by herdsmen and others.
Noting that the 19 schools are based on the Supplementary Budget of 2023, Wike said for the 2024 Budget, the administration is also going to select another set of 20 schools for rehabilitation and reconstruction.
While he stressed the importance of a proper, conducive and habitable learning environment, the minister thanked the National Assembly for expeditiously passing the FCT 2024 Budget.
He said; “I thank all of you, and I thank the students, and I want to assure you that all the expectations will be met. It is not only access to education. If you give access to education without quality, then you have not given education. While we are providing access, we must also provide quality. And quality entails that one, the environment must be conducive, the environment must be something that is habitable, the hostels and where you take care of yourself is very important.
“So, be assured that we will give you the best. We are looking into the teachers too, how we are going to provide quality teachers to teach our students”.
READ ALSO: Nigerian Lawmakers Accused of Padding 2024 Budget with N53 Billion in Vague Projects
Earlier, Mandate Secretary of the Education Secretariat, Dr Danlami Hayyo, said the Minister had approved the sum of N280m as scholarship for over 130, 000 indigent students of the FCT, across all levels of education.
He added that the schools’ rehabilitation initiative was about laying the foundation for the children’s future.
“As we flag-off the rehabilitation of several schools across the FCT, this initiative is not just about brick and mortar, it is about laying the foundation for a brighter future for our children.
READ ALSO: Customs Re-open Nigeria’s Land Border With Niger Republic
“Permit me to state that the Honorable Minister recently graciously approved the disbursement of the total sum of N280, 296, 000 as a scholarship to 13,964 fresh and existing indigent students, across all levels of education in the FCT.
“This is to ensure that no child is left behind. Also, for the first time in 25 years, the Schools Sports Festival was held successfully. All these are testaments to the Honorable Minister’s commitment to the total development of our future leaders”, he said.
