Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai through Tukur and Tukur Foundation has rebuilt, furnished his alma mater and donated over 1,000 copies of “The Legend of Buratai” to his former primary school in Kaduna.
The COAS, who remodeled the LEA Nursery and Primary School, Ungwan Sarki, Kaduna North local government area of Kaduna state where he began his primary education in 1967 said, his understanding of what qualitative education could do to a child prompted him to executed the multi-million naira project.
The elementary school, established in 1953 in a serene environment, now with modern computer room, functional library, 16 units of water cistern toilet facility, recreational corner and learning materials, appeared to be the best public primary school in Kaduna state today. Following the COAS intervention, the school, which hitherto had 700 pupils using 12 classrooms, now has 20 classrooms with the enrollment shooting up to 1,331 pupils.
The Army chief, who was represented by General Officer Commanding, 1 Division Nigerian Army Kaduna, Major General Faruq Yahya, told the school management to make judicious use of the structure and learning materials made available to them.
“I’m very happy to be here today, representing a model, who had looked back to his former primary school and touched it to make it a befitting modern structure we are seeing. Many of us who know him, were not surprised at this gesture because he believes in human development.
“The COAS himself went to teachers college. So, he is a qualified teacher who understands the importance of knowledge. This is reminding all of us to think, look back and give back to a system that has helped us in life.
“Today, I’m standing here on behalf of the COAS to present over 1,000 copies of this book to the teachers and pupils of LEA Nursery and Primary School Ungwan Sarki. Please use it to acquire knowledge,” he urged.
Responding, Head Teacher of the School, Hajiya Sa’Adatu Umar, assured Buratai that the school management would maintain the structure and improve on the teaching methodology to make the environment conducive to learning.
“On behalf of the staff and pupils of this school, we appreciate you. With this, we are going to make a lot of difference among schools in Kaduna state. We are assuring you that we shall make judicious use of the books and follow the lessons in it. In fact, we can never forget this kind gesture,” she said.
