•••EMPHASIZES NIGERIA’ UNITY
A retired Director in the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Awa Arua, has called on the Federal Government to sustain the Federal Unity Schools as a tool for National Integration and Development.
Arua made the appeal during the 20th graduation anniversary and annual general reunion of the Federal Government College Wukari Old Students’ Association (FGCWOSA), 2002 Set, held at Grand Pela Hotel & Suites, Durumi District, Abuja.
Arua’s comments were contained in a statement by the Chairman of 2002 Set, Engr Odeh Kenneth Odeh on Friday.
Arua who spoke on the topic ‘Federal Unity Schools As A Tool For National Integration And Development’ emphasized the critical place of the unity schools in fostering stronger national unity and integration.
He said that such deliberate measures are invaluable especially now that the country is facing a crisis of confidence, mistrust and lack of faith in one and another.
According to him, the current situation requires cohesion in the area of National Integration, Development and also in the education system.
Arua observed that the formation of these FUCs was a better tool for national development and integration as compared to the National Youth Service Corps Scheme, NYSC.
According to him, the Federal Character principle in appointments into federal establishments, by the Federal Government was as a result of the need for national development and integration.
He said, “the Federal Unity Schools as a tool for National Integration and Development has become appropriate at this time when the country is experiencing history on crisis situation in the area of National Integration, Development and also in the education system.
“Going down to the history of Federal Government Colleges in Nigeria, it has been recorded that King’s College, Lagos was the first Federal Government College (FGC) in Nigeria founded in 1909 and the purpose was to train manpower for Government establishments…” he said
The National President of FGCWOSA, Prof. Etemi Joshua Garba, said at the reunion that the foundation of their relationship was laid over 40 years ago in FGC Wukari.
The Chairman, Planning Committee, Engr. Odeh Kenneth Odeh, who is also the class representative and Chairman of 2002 set, in his speech said, “the welfare of our members has also been top on our agenda, as we have contributed to the families of our fallen members”.
According to him, the reunion meant the beginning of a new era for the set which now has professionals from various fields.
He said that the set has Medical doctors, nurses, Engineers, Pilots, Architects, Legal Luminaries, Planners, Geophysicist, top government officials, Politicians, Professors, Doctors in academics and a host of others both in Nigeria and in then Diaspora.
