The Kogi State Government has commended the Henry Adetayo Foundation, under the leadership of Engr. Adebayo Mike Arayegbemi, for the reconstruction of Community Secondary School, Oke Agi, in Mopamuro Local Government Area, urging private individuals and organisations to complement government’s efforts in providing quality educational infrastructure across the state.

The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, gave the commendation on Wednesday when he inspected the newly reconstructed school, describing the project as a remarkable demonstration of responsible citizenship and a worthy investment in the future of the community.

Fanwo said Kogi State was proud of the Foundation for undertaking a project that would have a lasting impact on the educational development of Oke Agi and its surrounding communities.

He said the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo was devoting more than 30 per cent of the state’s expenditure to education, but stressed that government alone could not meet every infrastructure need across the state.

“This is an example to others. As part of the integrity of public communication under Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, we have never claimed that all schools in Kogi are beautiful. As a government, we are rebuilding our schools and remodelling many others.

“We need many private individuals like Engr. Adebayo to support what the government is doing. He did not make videos of the bad state of the school to bring down the image of the school. He simply rebuilt it and turned it into a model for others to emulate.

“From Adaakolo to Nagazi and Okebukun, we are rebuilding our schools into world-class facilities that are drawing people back to public schools. Because of the confidence that Kogites have in Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, private individuals and non-governmental organisations are now joining hands with the government to provide quality educational infrastructure for our children,” he said.

The Commissioner said the growing involvement of private individuals and organisations in public development was a demonstration of the confidence being placed in the Ododo administration’s commitment to good governance and responsible management of public resources.

Fanwo assured the people of Oke Agi that the government would give serious consideration to taking over the management of the school, noting that the Ministry of Education was already working towards ensuring that the facility was properly integrated into the state’s educational system.

“As a responsible government, what Engr. Adebayo has done will be appreciated by the government by taking over the school management. The Ministry of Education, under the leadership of Hon. Wemi Jones, is busy rewriting the history of education in our dear state with unprecedented performances.

“The State Government will give the possibility of taking over this school a serious consideration,” he said.

The reconstructed school comprises nine blocks of classrooms, four administrative offices, laboratories, a library, a computer laboratory and a hall for external examinations, providing the community with a comprehensive learning environment. The facility also has a solar power installation capable of providing round-the-clock electricity to the school.

The Commissioner also pledged a donation of N1.75 million in scholarships and communication gadgets to the school as part of efforts to support the students and enhance learning.

In his response, the Danayangun of Oke Agi, HRH Oba Joshua Are, thanked the Commissioner for inspecting the school ahead of its official commissioning later in the year.

He expressed the gratitude of the entire community to Engr. Adebayo and the Henry Adetayo Foundation for the project, which he said was 99 per cent complete.

The Commissioner was accompanied on the inspection by government officials and political leaders from across Mopamuro Local Government Area.