By Abubakar Muhammad Adamu
Government Secondary School (GSS), Mayo-Belwa, Adamawa State, has celebrated its 50th anniversary with a call for increased investment in education and a N500 million fundraising target to address the institution’s infrastructural and developmental needs.
The Golden Jubilee celebration, held at the school premises, attracted government officials, traditional rulers, alumni, former principals and teachers, students, parents and other stakeholders from different walks of life.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Steering Committee, Engineer Muktar Isa Umar, General Manager, Engineering, Nigerian Ports Authority, Lagos, and Sarkin Fulani Muri, described the anniversary as a significant milestone, representing five decades of academic excellence, discipline, character formation and service to humanity.
Umar said the school had produced distinguished personalities who had contributed to the development of their communities, Adamawa State and Nigeria at large.
He, however, identified some challenges facing the institution, including inadequate classroom and office furniture, lack of potable water, dilapidated students’ hostels, the need for classroom renovations and inadequate perimeter fencing.
Mukhtar called for stronger collaboration among government, alumni and other stakeholders to address the challenges and sustain the school’s legacy.
The Guest Speaker at the occasion who presented a paper titled, “Sustaining Secondary Education Excellence in the 21st Century: Lessons from 50 Years of GSS Mayo-Belwa,” Alhaji Ahmad Abubakar, popularly known as Ba Sarki, highlighted the importance of discipline, character development, quality teaching, innovation and collective responsibility in achieving educational excellence.
He also advocated improved science and digital learning facilities, continuous professional development for teachers, scholarships, mentorship programmes and stronger alumni participation in the school’s development.
The pioneer principal of the institution, Alhaji Sa’ad Gambe, expressed gratitude to Almighty God for granting him the opportunity to witness the school’s 50th anniversary.
In his welcome address, the Principal, Malam Aliyu Aliyu Mayo, appreciated the alumni and other stakeholders for maintaining their relationship with the school and supporting its development.
The alumni association identified the establishment of a modern computer centre, renovation of staff quarters and two blocks of classrooms as some of its priority projects.
The association also appealed to government, corporate organisations, philanthropists and well-meaning individuals to support the proposed projects.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Chairman of Mayo-Belwa Local Government Council, Hon. Titus Obadiah, and the member representing Mayo-Belwa Constituency in the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Musa Mahmoud Kallamu, alongside other former students and alumni.
The Chief Launcher, Dr Sanusi Abubakar Danburam, pledged support for the construction of additional classroom blocks and the establishment of a school farming site through the LPRES project.
The anniversary featured a presentation on the school’s history, goodwill messages from former principals and teachers, awards and recognitions, cultural performances by students and a fundraising exercise targeting five hundred million naira.