Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District, Jibrin Isah Echocho who is the Senate Committee Chairman on Customs and Excise Duties spoke on his intervention in the construction of Our Lady of Schools, OLS, Anyigba in Dekina Local Government Council.
The Lawmaker was a product of OLS, a Catholic School having graduated in 1977, explaining to journalists that the school modeled him in character and in learning, hence, he considered it necessary to give back to the school.
As a former student of Our Lady of Schools, Anyigba, what would you say informed your renovation of the school?
That school was a missionary school that was established in 1965. It has produced very important personalities in Nigeria. I graduated from that school in 1977. The school modeled me in terms of character and in learning, and so I feel like giving back to the school.
The first thing I did some years ago was when I was a banker, I to donated a 32 coaster bus brand new and it is serving them till date, but upon recent visit to the school I realised that most of the structures are dilapidated especially the classrooms. So I now thought that the best thing is to start renovating the classrooms. So I started with the first block of classrooms which we finished about a month or there about ago, then we started with the second face which has also been completed and we are going into the third stage now. My intention is to overhaul the entire school but in phases.
An ongoing renovation of classrooms by Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho at Our Lady of Schools, Anyigba in Dekina Local Government Council, Kogi State
How do you feel having moved into phase 2 of the renovation project of the schoo?
I am fulfilled because in the first place that is the school where I was groomed in character and in learning. I am happy that I am alive and I have the opportunity to bring the school back to its glorious days in terms of infrastructure.
The classrooms and hostels were built a long time ago. The structures were strong and they stood the test of time. However, I feel like overhauling the structures, we have remove the roof, work on the wall, put ceiling and then I want to do everything over a period of time, but on installmental basis.
How were you treated attending a Missionary School, while you are a devoted Muslim?
He said the message is very clear, that I tolerate all irrespective of the faith, I also tolerate all faiths. By way of background even though it is a missionary school, when we were students a portion of the school was carved out for us as Mosque even when it is a catholic school and during the month of Ramadan, they used to cook for us early in the morning, and in the evening they used to cook specially for us to break our fast.
So, that has cultivated in me the consciousness for me to be tolerant with other faiths.
Many years ago, the Principal then was a Canadian. He did all these without any bias especially as he was not of our faith. We used to call Salat, for morning prayers as if we were in a Muslim school, in the morning, afternoon and in the evening and during the Ramadan they used to treat us specially, special food in the morning around 4am to 5am the cooks will come out that early and in the evening they gave us special diet for breaking of the fast.
Whatever I have become today, that school has contributed majorly to it. By the grace of God Almighty, now that he has given me this opportunity of being in the Senate for the second term, I will overhaul the school but it will be done in phases.
