The Saminaka Old Students' Association has expressed concerns over alleged attempts by community leaders to encroach on the land belonging to Government College Saminaka in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna state. In an open letter to Kaduna state governor, Senator Uba Sani, the association appealed for intervention to protect the school's land from further encroachment. The letter, signed by the association's Secretary General, Samaila Sadau, stated that portions of the school's land were allegedly being demarcated for private allocation.
According to the association, the school's land was acquired and gazetted for educational purposes and should be preserved for the development and expansion of the institution. Government College Saminaka, one of the oldest public secondary schools in Lere Local Government Area, has produced thousands of graduates serving Kaduna State and the country. The association emphasized that the school's land was required for classrooms, hostels, staff quarters, playgrounds, school farming, and future expansion.
The association expressed concern that any encroachment on the land could affect the learning environment and undermine efforts to preserve public educational institutions. They stated that encroachment "threatens the safety and learning environment of our students" and "sets a dangerous precedent where public school lands can be taken by private interests." The old students urged the governor to direct relevant state agencies to verify and re-establish the approved boundaries of the school.
The association called for an immediate halt to any clearing, sale, or development on the disputed portions of land pending the outcome of the verification. They also urged the governor to direct the Chairman of Lere Local Government Area, the Chief of Saminaka, and the District Head of Saminaka to investigate the alleged activities of the community leaders involved and ensure that the school land was protected.
Furthermore, the association appealed for the construction of a perimeter fence or clear beaconing of the school's boundaries to prevent future encroachment. They emphasized that protecting Government College Saminaka was important to preserving educational opportunities for children in Lere and neighbouring communities. The association expressed trust in the governor's "fatherly intervention and your well-known commitment to justice."
The Saminaka Old Students' Association highlighted the importance of preserving public educational institutions and the need for government intervention to prevent encroachment on school land. They noted that the school's land was essential for its development and expansion, and any encroachment could have negative consequences for the students and the community.
The association's concerns over the alleged encroachment on Government College Saminaka land reflect a broader issue of protecting public educational institutions in Kaduna state. The governor's response to the association's appeal will be crucial in determining the fate of the school's land and the future of education in Lere Local Government Area.
Key points
- The Saminaka Old Students' Association has raised concerns over alleged attempts by community leaders to encroach on Government College Saminaka land in Kaduna state.
- The association has appealed to the Kaduna state governor, Senator Uba Sani, to intervene and protect the school's land from further encroachment.
- The association emphasized that preserving Government College Saminaka land was essential for maintaining educational opportunities for children in Lere and neighbouring communities.
