Alumni hail alma mater at 50, donate N1billion for facelift

Alumni of the Federal Government College, Kaduna, have hailed the founding fathers of the school as it clocks 50 since it has been in the business of breeding learners and future leaders of the country.

The alumni, through the Federal Government College, Kaduna Old Students Association (FGCKADOSA), reassured the school management of their support towards elevating the school’s status in learning and character.

Speaking during the 50th-anniversary logo launch held recently, FGCKADOSA President, Seyi Gambo, stated that the celebration, which is billed for January in Abuja, would be marked in grand style with a series of activities that would commence in September.

Gambo noted that the unveiling of the anniversary logo launch was part of the activities to herald the commencement of the events leading up to the celebration.

He said the anniversary, beyond wining and dining, is also expected to help rebuild relationships and networks among the old students.

While explaining in detail the proposed one billion donation fund, he said half of the money would be given to the school for infrastructural development and the remaining N500 million to be earmarked as an intervention for the lives of the alumni.

Earlier, the Chairman of the anniversary steering committee, Abolore Solebo, said President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to grace the occasion, while Governor Nasir el-Rufai will chair the event.

On the choice of Abuja for the event, Solebo explained that it became necessary for them to consider security, adding that the current insecurity in the state is one of the obvious reasons they are holding the event in Abuja.

He said Africa’s richest man; Aliko Dangote would be the chief launcher of the one billion endowment fund.

He, however, encouraged such support from other alumni in various schools, stating that the act of giving back to one’s alma mater is key to nation-building.

“Government cannot do it alone, however, we that benefited from this government’s intervention by way of Unity schools need to support the government in our individual schools. By so doing, we are leaving a legacy for the generation of young people and those to come,” he stressed.

On his part, the FGCKADOSA Board of Trustees Chairman, Abdullahi Bala, urged the government to address the unity gap among students, especially when students don’t want to study in other states or places other than their region.