TheCable

Gudu, the only local government area in Nigeria without a senior secondary school, is about to get rid of that unwanted record.

The LGA, in Sokoto state, boasts of one of the most unenviable statistics in the world of education: a 2013 survey showed that out of 1890 students in junior secondary schools in the council, only one of them is a female.

The Sokoto state executive council has finally given approval for the establishment of a model boarding secondary school in Balle, the council’s headquarters.

Abdulkadir Jeli Abubakar, the commissioner for information, said N1 billion has been earmarked for the project and 30% mobilisation fee has been approved for construction work to begin.

At the May 29 Democracy Day celebration, Aminu Tambuwal, the state governor, Tambuwal had announced that a new boarding secondary school would be established in Balle.

“Government is determined to establish a new secondary school in Balle, an initiative which is considered laudable by all stakeholders, in view of the poor state of education in Gudu local government. The fact is that despite concerted efforts by successive governments, the level of educational development in Gudu has consistently remained lowest in the State,” he said.

“So the establishment of Boarding School in the area will invariably improve enrolment, retention and transition of pupils from Primary to Secondary Schools in the local government and its neighbours, such as Tangaza and Illela.”

The project is expected to be completed in six months.

Abubakar also said N241 million has been approved by the cabinet for the total renovation of GSS Tureta, while renovation of GGSS Illela, whose approval was also given, would cost approximately N167 million.

“Similarly, the council has approved the sum of over N304 million for the complete renovation of Gamji Girls College Rabah and rehabilitation of Sabon Birni Bridge at the cost of over N194 million,” he said.