TY Danjuma donates N500m as KAOBA launches N5bn drive to rehabilitate Katsina-Ala college

Former Defence Minister, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, has donated N500 million to the Katsina-Ala Old Boys Association (KAOBA) to support its N5 billion fundraising campaign for the rehabilitation and modernisation of Government College, Katsina-Ala, Benue State.

The donation was announced by the Benue State Deputy Governor, Barrister Sam Ode who represented Governor Hyacinth Alia in a separate interview at the facility upgrade fundraising held in Abuja on Monday.

Danjuma, who was represented by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Justice James Ogebe (retd.), also called on the Benue State Government to take primary responsibility for rehabilitating the institution, noting that the old boys and other benefactors could only assist.

Danjuma, who described the condition of the school as really appalling, said its facilities had deteriorated significantly and required substantial funding to restore them.

He appealed to the state government to work with KAOBA to improve the school’s infrastructure for the benefit of future generations.

“We are just assisting. It’s not our responsibility as such. It’s the responsibility of Benue State Government, and it has been neglected for too long,” he said.

On his part, Alia said the Benue State Government would partner with the old boys to restore the institution, describing its present condition as appalling and assuring that the government would not abdicate its responsibility to rehabilitate the school.

He expressed commitment to the project, stressing that the government, as proprietor of the institution, had a duty to restore its lost glory.

The governor also disclosed that the state government would make a financial contribution towards the fundraising initiative, adding that the government would move speedily to address the school’s challenges irrespective of the amount realised at the event.

Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, represented by his Special Adviser, Simon Tyungu, commended Danjuma for his contributions to KAOBA and the development of the college.

Akume described the fundraising initiative as an investment in education, human capital development and the future of Nigeria.

He said Government College, Katsina-Ala, was more than a school, having shaped the character and leadership of generations of Nigerians who had served the country across various sectors.

According to him, the N5 billion upgrade project would provide modern laboratories, improved hostels, information and communications technology centres, sporting facilities and well-equipped classrooms.

He said the proposed improvements would create an environment in which discipline, honesty, excellence and compassion could thrive.

Akume said the initiative aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises education, youth development and human capital development.

He urged the old boys to give back to the institution that had contributed to their personal and professional development, while calling on corporate organisations, philanthropists and other friends of the college to support the campaign.

“Five billion naira is big, but together it is achievable,” he said, urging stakeholders to contribute not only financially but also through their time, expertise and professional networks.

The SGF also assured the association of the Federal Government’s support for initiatives aimed at improving the quality of education and infrastructure in public schools, saying relevant ministries and agencies would be engaged to explore possible support within available resources.

He congratulated KAOBA on the initiative, noting that the success of the project would be a lasting legacy for future generations.

In his remarks, the National President of KAOBA, Chief Anthony Adda, said the fundraising initiative was aimed at mobilising old students, well-wishers, corporate organisations and philanthropists to upgrade the college to modern standards and provide a conducive learning environment.

Adda recalled that the institution was established in 1915 at Wannune, in present-day Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State. It was initially known as Middle School before being renamed Provincial Secondary School, Government Secondary School and eventually Government College, Katsina-Ala.

He said the college had produced notable Nigerians who had contributed to manpower development at local, state and federal levels.

According to him, the school currently faces serious infrastructural challenges, including the absence of a perimeter fence, dilapidated classrooms built in the 1960s and an assembly hall whose roof has been blown off.

He also said the T.Y. Danjuma Examination Hall, built in the 1960s, was in a poor state and required urgent rehabilitation.

Adda identified the absence of a perimeter fence as one of the school’s major challenges, saying it had exposed the institution to perennial encroachment by farmers and settlers onto its land.

He said the fundraising campaign was intended to arrest the deterioration, protect the school’s property and facilitate the rehabilitation of existing structures, as well as the construction of new facilities.

The KAOBA president expressed appreciation to Danjuma for previously intervening in the school’s infrastructural crisis by providing financial assistance for the rehabilitation of five student hostels that had become dilapidated and unsuitable for learning.

He also raised concerns over the sale of staff quarters by previous administrations in Benue State, saying the development had adversely affected teachers’ welfare.

Adda disclosed that the old boys, working with the state government, were pursuing the return of the quarters to the college, adding that a government white paper had directed that the facilities be returned.

He, however, called for the political will to enforce the directives contained in the white paper.

“We must invest today to preserve the legacy bequeathed to us so that our old school can continue to shape the leaders of tomorrow,” he said, urging individuals and organisations to contribute towards the project.