Lafia Old Students Honour Emir Of Lafia, Set N1billion Target To Revitalize Alma Mater
Old students of Government Science School, Lafia under the aegis of the Lafia Old Students Association (LOSA) have honoured the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage (Rtd) on his 5th anniversary on the throne as the 17th Emir of Lafia.
The event which held Friday (May 3, 2024) at the assembly hall of Government Science School Lafia, had in attendance a number of distinguished old students of the school from within and outside Lafia.
In his remarks at the event, National President of LOSA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, extolled the virtues of the Emir of Lafia, describing the royal father as a very important member of their association.
He said: “Myself and the other members of the EXCO of this association have a maximum of two term after which we must go but the Emir of Lafia is here for life. He will continue to guide and direct us as we work towards achieving the aims and objectives of the association.”
On the activities of LOSA under his stewardship, Dr. Faisal Shuaib disclosed that the association had been able to raise the sum of N100 million to revitalize the school with its target being N1 billion.
Speaking on some of the interventions carried out by LOSA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib said the association had already renovated and equipped the school clinic as well as some hostels and were set to carry out more interventions.
He said: “We want to ensure 24 hours electricity through different sources and water as a way of creating an enabling environment for teaching and learning.
“We will set up a 400 capacity Information Communication Technology (ICT) laboratory and already work has reached an advance stage.
“We will equip science and technical laboratories to and the Emir had supported toward achieving a better environment for teaching and learning.
“We will use our alma mater as a model for other school where others will emulate from us,” he added.
On his part, the Emir of Lafia expressed his appreciation to the Lafia Old Students Association under the leadership of Dr. Faisal Shuaib saying he was most touched by the honour being accorded to him by his old school mates.
The Emir of Lafia who went down memory lane to his time as a student of the school, also appreciated their former teachers for the various roles they played in their lives.
Justice Sidi Bage who graduated from the school in 1974, also encouraged the current students of the school to be hardworking and assured them that the old students will continue to support them in every way possible to see that they also become great in life.
On his 5th anniversary on the throne, the royal father was full of gratitude to God for infinite mercies that has sustained him and prayed for many more prosperous years.
Earlier in a welcome address the Principal and Sole Administrator of the school, Mr. Abubakar Ewa-Kana congratulated the Emir on his 5th anniversary as the Emir of Lafia and wished him long life and prosperity.
While appreciating the LOSA for their various interventions in the school, the principal highlighted some challenges still being faced by the school to include the derecognition of the school by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) demanding for the payment of Three hundred and fifty thousand (N350,000) Naira penalty and administrative charges, acute shortage of water and electricity, inadequate science equipment, technical tools and reagents in laboratories, absence of experienced teachers in sciences, technology and mathematics as well as dilapidated staff quarters.
He thereby made a passionate appeal to those with the means and reach, to help the school in tackling some of these challenges to make the school environment more conducive for learning.
