Kano receives school donation in Abuja over insecurity

Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike
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A ceremony to  hand over the  317 schools built  by the Japanese government to Kano State took  place in Abuja on Thursday.

However, our correspondent  learnt  that the ceremony, which was scheduled for  Kano, suffered  postponements due to fear of terror attacks, forcing the state government to opt for Abuja.

Kano  is one of the  northern cities where suspected  Boko Haram members  have  carried out bomb and gun attacks.

However, the ceremony took place at the Federal  Ministry  of Education with Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike; Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ryuichi Shoji; representatives of Kano State Governor Rabiu  Kwankwaso; and  Minister of National Planning Shamsudeen Usman in attendance.

The schools were constructed by Japanese International Cooperation Agency  in conjunction with the Universal Basic Education Commission.

Although no official  reason was given for the shift  in venue,  sources  confirmed that security  fears  informed  the decision.

A Kano official said, “We tried to get them to Kano,  assuring them (Japanese) that we will provide security but they were not convinced. So, we had  to come here (Abuja)  because we are  dealing with a foreign nation.”

The  Japanese envoy said there were “some security threats” during the construction of the schools. He said the  projects were done with the support of Kano State Universal Basic Education Board.

Wike commended  the Japanese government for supporting Nigerian education,  calling  on other international partners to contribute their quota to the development of the sector.

He said, “We must commend the government and people of Japan for their support for our education sector.”

The Japanese government  signed a bilateral agreement with Federal Government in June 2010 to provide infrastructural development and technical support to Nigeria.

A total of N2.31bn was spent by the Japanese government on  providing  317 schools in 33 schools with toilet facilities and furniture in Kano under the phase 11 of the project.

Giving the details of the project, the acting Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission, Prof. Charles Onocha,  said a total of 6,940 pieces of two-seater furniture, 272 toilets, 317 blackboards, and 317 notice boards were provided for the 33 schools.