Borno Council Chairman Laments Continued Closure Of Schools
SAN FRANCISCO, February 16, (THEWILL) - The continued closure of schools as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency in the Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State is a source of worry to the chairman of the Local Government, Alhaji Modu Ali Gana.
"Our sons and daughters have continued to stay at home and stay away from schools in the past two years for fear of being attacked by Boko Haram," he lamented at the weekend.
Gana described the development as an unsavoury tale, saying it is a serious setback to the educational development of his people and overall development of the area.
The council boss however unfolded a plan to convene a stakeholders meeting with the Shehu of Dikwa, His Royal Highness Mohammed Ibn Masta II and other prominent indigenes of the area to fast-track the return of the students and teachers to the schools.
Gana expressed determination to tackle some of the issues affecting his council, especially lack of security, health care, education, as well as perpetual poverty among other issues, saying these have been affecting the socio- economic well-being of the people of the area.
"Education is wealth, but it is unfortunate that for the past two years, no school is functioning in Dikwa, students have remained at home because of Boko Haram.
This time around, we will not only renovate the schools but also see to it that our students return back to the classrooms with their teachers motivated with the scarce resources at our disposal," he said.
Gana said further that he has already come out with a blueprint on how to renovate the healthcare centres and fully equip them with necessary modern facilities, as well as providing them with drugs to ensure healthy living in the council area.
He also assured that his administration will give much priority to the reduction of maternal mortality rate by providing free anti-natal care to all clinics in the area, stressing that the welfare of staff will be enhanced to motivate them in the performance of their duties.
He also promised to provide farmers in the area with fertilizer and other farming inputs such as tractors, water pump, power generators for irrigation purposes so as to improve agricultural production in the council.
The council boss disclosed that very soon, the council will procure poverty alleviation materials such as sewing machines, spaghetti making machines, tricycles among others which will be distributed free of charge to women and youth irrespective of their party affiliations.