The Abdul Azeez Attah Memorial College, AAAMCO, a Secondary School that was established in 1927 in Okene in today’s Kogi Central Senatorial district by the former Colonial Masters has been reconstructed and given a facelift after 97 years of neglect.

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The School’s 9 classrooms and 4 hostels were reconstructed by the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Udughan and was commissioned over the weekend by some Senators of the 10th National Assembly.

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Speaking on Saturday on her commitment to education to mark her one year in office, Natasha said she has worked towards the goal of well-being of her constituents and to ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn, and have access to meaningful employment, and other basic amenities.

She said: “I am honoured by the trust you have placed in me, and I am here today to reaffirm my commitment to delivering a future that reflects our shared hopes and aspirations.

“A cornerstone of this vision has been the digitalisation of education. We have deployed 5,000 digital learning devices to public primary and secondary schools across Kogi Central.

“In the coming weeks, the Universal Basic Education Learning Resource Centre will train teachers and programme these devices with the Nigerian educational curriculum.

“Furthermore, we believe that education is the foundation of a prosperous society. We are beginning the total overhaul of selected existing schools, such as the Abdul Aziz Attah Memorial College (AAAMCO) in Okene. We will also construct a brand-new model primary and secondary school in Osara and facilitate a centre for artificial intelligence and robotics at the Federal College of Education in Okene, as well as an automotive mechatronics workshop and cottage automobile workshop at the Technical College in Oboroke. Both projects are currently undergoing the BPP contracting process, and construction is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2025,” she stated.

She continued, “Moreover, a scholarship scheme through the Natasha Foundation has supported the tuition of 353 vulnerable Indigenous students at tertiary institutions nationwide. Equally, we have worked tirelessly to attract employment opportunities for various graduates and facilitate capacity-building training and empowerment programs for thousands of beneficiaries from our senatorial district.

“Today, we are launching a massive empowerment initiative for over 1,300 artisans, focusing on our women and youth. They have been trained and will be empowered to earn a living in areas such as renewable energy installations, fashion and shoe making, block and tile making, fish farming, advanced welding and carpentry, hairdressing, and catering. You can see for yourself what we have accomplished. They have been supported with startup grants.

“These efforts will provide a solid foundation for families and, in turn, communities. I am also deeply committed to addressing essential needs, such as access to clean water. Through our numerous water projects, we have brought a reliable supply of potable water to many communities, transforming what was once a challenge into a sustainable reality. Out of the 12 water projects, we developed a massive 50,000-liter solar-powered motorised water system, which serves 300 locations and provides 1,800 fetching taps.

“The electricity projects that have been executed throughout our senatorial district, just within one year of my being in office, have illuminated homes and streets, making our communities safer and more supportive of local businesses. Proudly, 30 kilometres of road networks across Kogi Central are now lit, providing better visibility and enhanced safety for both residents and travelers, especially at night.”

She further added; “The Ihima community had been without a police station for seven years, and I am honored to have my office facilitate the reconstruction and expansion of our community police station, which we commissioned today. If health is wealth, communities should not be impoverished by the lack of effective and responsive Primary Health Care Centers. I am grateful that my office attracted the rehabilitation of two primary healthcare facilities—the Primary Health Care Center in Ohueta and the one in Osara. Construction is set to commence within two weeks.

“A series of medical outreach programmes have been scheduled for next week in Ajaokuta and Okehi local governments. Similarly, I have proposed and sponsored several bills and motions that are not only nationalistic but essential for repositioning Kogi Central and Kogi State as an industrial hub. This, in turn, will create jobs for our youth and generate revenue for our beloved country.

“The legislative assembly, under the guidance of the Senate President, His Excellency Godswill Akpabio, and the executive, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have formed a strong political alliance. We are ensuring that not only will the Ajaokuta Steel Company function, but that the National Iron Ore Mining Company’s mandate will be expanded to harness the abundant natural resources lying untapped in our region.

“To the leadership of the Senate and my colleagues present, the hills surrounding us are rich in natural minerals, from gold to amethyst and iron ore, among others. I hope that in the coming months, you will join forces with me to ensure these minerals are tapped for the benefit of our country. The Gold Reserve Bill and the establishment bill for the Federal Medical Center in Ihima are legislative efforts aimed at transforming the industrial landscape of our state to meet the welfare and health needs of our people and to widen employment opportunities”.

“I am grateful for the productive leadership I have developed with the President himself, His Excellency President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the First Lady, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the Senate President, His Excellency Senator Godswill Akpabio. I am immensely grateful to them all. This collaborative approach has helped us access new opportunities and resources, bringing about greater development and democratic dividends for our people.

“There is still much work to be done, and I am committed to continuously learning and striving for improvement. I will work for you with the same energy, passion, and dedication that you deserve. Thank you for your unwavering support,” she concluded.

The lawmaker stated that some schools were selected for reconstruction as part of encouraging the young ones to enroll, while some schools which were not part of the reconstruction will benefit at a later time with scholarship award to students through her foundation.

Natasha was joined by her colleagues from the Senate to commemorate the historic event.

First was the commissioning of the 1km road network at the Abdul Azeez Memorial College Okene by the senate Minority Leader Distinguished Senator Abba Moro.

Senator Tahir Monguno followed by commissioning the reconstruction and remodeling of the Abdul Aziz Attah Memorial College in Okene. There 9 blocks of classrooms and 4 boarding houses; as well as unveiling the 5,000 digital learning devices marked the event.

The anniversary also included the inauguration of the reconstructed Ihima Police Station, which was officiated by the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Betrand Onuoha. Additionally, an empowerment programme was launched by Senator Abba Moro.

The Deputy Senate President, represented by Senator Ladan, spoke about Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s first year in office, describing her representation as effective, and praised her efforts to significantly impact her constituents.

“She invited us to see firsthand how she is improving the lives of her constituents in Kogi Central. What makes Senator Natasha unique is her passion for humanitarian service, which seems to be part of her genetic makeup, as her family has a history of giving,” he stated.

On his part, Senate Chief Whip Senator Tahir Monguno emphasised the importance of education in a country’s development, commending Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s initiative to digitalise learning in Kogi Central.

Senator Abba Moro also praised the legacy projects and applauded his colleague for her exceptional performance.

“We have toured various projects aimed at improving the lives of the people, particularly concerning security. All of us here, the senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, are proud to support our colleague, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Her achievements in just one year of service are remarkable.

“I am astonished by the amount of support gathered here for distribution. It’s evident that this is the kind of representation we need, and I am very pleased that she is delivering.”

Dignitaries at the event include representatives of the Deputy Senate President, Senator Musa Ladan, Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno, Senate Minority leader, Senator Abba Moro, Senator Ede Dafinone, Senator Victor Umeh, Senator Tony Nwoye, Senator Ekong Sampson, Senator Anthony Yaro, as well as Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi.

Others are: Edo Deputy Governor, Omobayo Godwins, House of Representative Member representing Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency, Hon. Abdulraheem Abdulmaleem Danga, Kogi Commissioner of Police, CP Betrand Onuoha, Ohi of Okene, HRH Alhaji Isa Mamman Okatahi, Ohi of Ihima, HRH Abdulrahim Ogido, Ohiomata of Odumi, Chief James Omeiza amongst other eminent Nigerians.

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