Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu on Sunday hosted students of Command Science Secondary School, Girls, Goru, Birnin Kebbi to a special luncheon, as part of the 62nd Independence Anniversary of Nigeria.
At the feast, Bagudu, who is also the Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum extolled the high level of discipline , confidence and courage of the students.
” I am happy that the school is standing out in the state and the country in general.
“The school is developing a culture of discipline, mutual support and confidence.
“Hitherto, the children were afraid of abduction fuelled by some unfounded social media reports.
“But, happily, they were courageous and they braced up the fear,” Bagudu said.
According to the Kebbi State Governor, the students should continue to be proud of themselves, saying, ” that is an element of success.”
Bagudu expressed delight the students had during the personal interactions he had with them requested for more girls to join them in school.
He said,” that is quite energizing and they also requested for the repair of a burnt transformer and the provision of wifi facilities.”
Bagudu said that his administration attaches greater attention to education, especially that of the girl-child .
He urged the students to always speak, adding,”nobody, I mean, nobody has the right to make you feel uncomfortable.
“School is a place where you should be happy, where you should explore your interests.
“It is also a place where you should participate on extracurricular activities without fear, intimidation or worry.
“Once that is happening, you will lose interest in schools and it can happen if you don’t speak out.”
The State Deputy Governor, Rtd Col Samaila Yombe Dabai also advised the students girls to be dedicated to their studies so as to remain relevant in the future.
‘ One of my tutors who taught me how to fly is a woman’ , he said.
Women according to him were playing vital role in the modern military unlike before .
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary Ministry for Higher Education, Hajiya Halima Boyi Dikko and that of Ministry for Budget and Economic Planing, Hajiya Aishatu Usman all advised the students to remain focus to their studies in order to realize their dreams.
Hajiya Halima Dikko advised the students not to only to be inclined to their academics but also engage in extra curricular activities and report any form of harassment to the commandant or their teachers.
She charged the students to focus ‘ Aim high and build up your dream, do not be distracted by the outside world ‘ she advised.
She thanked the governor for hosting the students in Government House for a lunch.
The Permanent Secretary Ministry for Budget and Economic Planing, Hajiya Aishatu Usman told the students that the knowledge they were acquiring was a stepping stone to building their career in life.
According to her, Kebbi State Government accords equal opportunity to both boys and girls without gender disparity, however placing premium on girls education.
‘ Sky is your limit, you can become engineers, doctors, teachers if you study your books well .
‘ In Kebbi State about eight women have been appointed as Permanent Secretaries by the Governor’, she averred.
The Head Girl of the School, Mabaruka Yusuf Shamaki expressed her gratitude to Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for what she described as a befitting lunch they had with the Governor in Government House Birnin Kebbi.
She prayed Allah, the Almighty to protect and give the governor more success in life.
The Principal of the school, Major Justina Odion Uwaeghianye thanked the governor for the rare previlege of hosting the school children to a luncheon in Government House to celebrate Nigeria’s 62nd Independence Anniversary.
She described the governor as very hospitable and making them feel like home in Kebbi.
She also requested the governor to address some of the needs of the school which according to her he has been doing.
