…Calls for Quality Assurance in Public Schools
…Encourages Unity, Patriotism, and Hard Work on His 59th Birthday
In celebration of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary and his 59th birthday, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., reached out to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Kabusa community of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Tuesday.
Leading a delegation that included Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu and Chief Whip Hon. Usman Bello Kumo, Speaker Abbas expressed his concern for the plight of the IDPs. He distributed 1,000 bags of 10kg rice, 200 cartons of noodles, over 800 articles of clothing for men and women, and bedsheets to the displaced individuals.
The humanitarian effort was supported by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Additionally, free medical services were provided to IDPs suffering from various ailments.
Earlier in the day, Speaker Abbas hosted students from six public secondary schools in the FCT for an interactive session, where he addressed their questions. He emphasized the need for prioritizing adequate supervision and quality assurance in public schools to restore the education sector to its former glory.
He expressed concern over the proliferation of private schools, stating that it has contributed to a decline in public school standards. “Even teachers in public schools now send their children to private schools because they lack confidence in the education provided in public institutions,” he noted.
Reflecting on past educational practices, Speaker Abbas remarked, “When we were growing up, there were no private schools; everyone, including high-ranking officials, sent their children to public schools, which ensured strict supervision and high standards.”
The Speaker urged students to embrace hard work as a form of patriotism. He cautioned against the temptation to seek shortcuts to success, advising them to pay attention to details and follow due processes. “Believe in yourself and work hard; it worked for me,” he said.
Sharing his personal journey, Speaker Abbas recounted how he became self-reliant at a young age, securing his first home at 19 without financial assistance from his parents. “I went straight into teaching after secondary school and never sought help from my parents again,” he recalled.
He also stressed the importance of unity among Nigerians, urging students to love their country and each other, transcending ethnic and religious divides. “When you love your neighbor as yourself, you foster meaningful relationships and true patriotism,” he said.
The students from the six Area Councils of the FCT presented various technological innovations as birthday gifts to the Speaker during the interaction.
Signed:
Musa Abdullahi Krishi
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria
