The Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA) has sought stakeholders’ support to reposition all the 110 Federal Government Colleges across the nation.
The President General of USOSA, Michael Magaji, made the call at the 40th Plenary and Annual General Meeting in Abuja which also featured award night of the association.
He said it would be an opportunity for sustainable transformation in the country’s education system, with the theme, “The journey to nationhood-50 years Unity Schools.”
Magaji said all hands must be on deck to promote qualitative education in the country rather than leaving education for only government to handle.
He also called on President Bola Tinubu to make basic and secondary education funding a priority for national development.
“It is remarkable to note that long before the United Nations started its SDG programmes, the Nigerian Government understood the importance of mainstreaming gender as a key element and tool for public education and national development.
“This is instructive and highly commendable. Our country is still a work in progress with challenges in managing and accepting our diversity. USOSANS however remains the true children of Nigeria.
“We stand and believe in one Nigeria for all and with all. We call on our governments to embrace and promote this spirit and provide an inclusive playing field where all Nigerians irrespective of background can thrive and feel a true sense of Nigerians.
“We thank the Federal Ministry of Education and its agencies for actively listening and collaborating with us in our march towards improved public education.
“Let me also call on President Bola Tinubu to make basic and secondary education funding a priority for national development,” he said.
In his keynote address, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Landmark Group, Mr Paul Onwuanibe, said that an association like USOSA had a role in building the future of the next generation.
He, therefore, said the association must stand for what was right to give education a facelift in the country.
Also, the National President, Federal Government Girls College Old Girls’ Association (FGGCOGA), Abuloma, Rivers State, Itoro Clement-Isong, lamented that the essence of establishing unity schools had been lost due to insecurity challenges across the country.
“I think, first and foremost, apart from the fact that the unity school standards have dropped from what it used to be, it’s also the present situation of the country’s insecurity that as a parent, you’re less likely to send your child far from home.
“This is because you’re wondering; can I control the things that will happen to the child? Unlike before, your father will drop you at the motor pack, you’re off.
“Today, because of the insecurity in the country, children tend to school closer. When we solve insecurity challenges in Nigeria, I think you’ll find students moving across states for studies because it’s actually a very pleasant idea,” she said.
