From Tunde Omolehin, Sokoto
THE only local government area in Nigeria without a secondary school has just secured one.
Gudu Local Government Area in the state has suffered the misfortune of having some of the worst statistics in education in the world. Apart from not having a senior secondary school to cater for its estimated 120,000 residents, a 2013 survey showed that out of 1,890 students in junior secondary schools in the local government area, only one was a female.
However, at the weekend, Sokoto State Executive Council led by Governor Aminu Tambuwal gave approval for the establishment of a model boarding secondary school in Balle, the headquarters of the local government area.
Announcing the council’s decision in Sokoto, the state Commissioner for Information, Abdulkadir Abubakar, said N1 billion has been earmarked for the project.Already, 30 per cent mobilisation fee has been approved for the contractor to begin construction work.
During the last Democracy Day celebration, 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.