Bello Expresses Commitment to Free Primary, Secondary Education in Kogi

* Hails wife for donating schools, medical facilities to Okehi community

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has pledged his unwavering commitment to the free education policy of his administration at all public primary and secondary schools in the state.

Bello made the pledge in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Mohammed, and made to THISDAY in Abuja Thursday.

He commended his first wife, Amina Oyiza Bello, a lawyer, for reconstructing a medical facility, primary and secondary schools for a rural community in the Okehi Local Government Area of the state.

He pledged his unwavering commitment to the free education policy of his administration to all public primary and secondary schools in the state.

The governor described his wife, who is the initiator and founder of the Hayat Foundation, as a worthy philanthropist.

The statement explained that Bello stated this at Eika-Ohizenyi during the inauguration of a primary/secondary and clinic fully reconstructed and donated to the community by his wife’s Foundation. 

He lauded her charity dedication to leading the effort to provide the critical social services for the rural community in Okehi Local Government Area of the state.

The governor noted that the projects were funded by his wife’s philanthropy through the Hayat Foundation. 

During the ceremony, he issued a challenge to fellow privileged citizens, urging them to contribute their resources, regardless of the amount, to advance their communities’ development.

The projects were unveiled to commemorate the 16th birthday of the governor’s son, Hayatula Bello, in whose name the Hayat Foundation was established as a charitable organisation.

It was committed to the welfare of children, especially those living with special needs and the elderly who find themselves abandoned, poor and vulnerable.

The projects are the Eika-Ohizenyi community clinic and the Al-Dabiya Primary and Secondary School, both located within the community.

Bello specifically praised the visionaries behind the school’s inception, which was originally conceived as an Islamic institution, but later got its curriculum broadened to encompass both Islamic and Western education.

He acknowledged his wife’s efforts to improve the living conditions of her people through the initiatives.

The governor revealed that the school would benefit from the state government’s free education policy, which covers primary and secondary school students. 

He also promised that the administration would assign teachers to address staffing needs and oversee the construction of an access road.

Additionally, he said a school bus would be provided to facilitate academic activities.

The governor’s wife and founder of the Hayat Foundation described the projects as a heartfelt homecoming. 

She emphasized that the clinic would offer three days of free medical care to community residents commencing today.

She encouraged members of the Eika-Ohizenyi community to take advantage of the free Medical Outreach scheduled from Tuesday, September 26, to Thursday, September 28. 

She assured the community that there were ample number of medical professionals, pharmacists, nurses, medications, and consumables available for the three-day medical outreach, which aims to address the immediate health needs of the people.

Bello’s wife further stressed the significance of her mantra, centred around making a positive impact on society. 

She praised the selflessness of her late mother-in-law and underscored the importance of individuals, regardless of their wealth or political affiliation, contributing positively to humanity, society and their communities.

Amina Bello also extended recognition to Mallam Shittu, the founder of Al-Dabiya Primary and Secondary School, who arrived in the community in 1985. 

She, however, appealed to well-meaning individuals to give back to their communities.