FGGC Bakori alumnae unveil anniversary logo, light up torch of unity in celebration of 50th anniversary (Photos)
On Saturday, January 27, 2024, alumnae of the Federal Government Girls College Bakori, nationwide as well as globally, gathered at the Maryam Babangida Centre for Women Development in Abuja to unveil the school’s 50th Anniversary Logo and light the Anniversary Torch of unity in honour of the educational institution that has come to represent success over the past 50 years.
The Federal Government Girls College Bakori is a full-boarding secondary school for girls located on the Funtua Bakori Road in Katsina State. It was founded on 18th October 1974, with the aim of accomplishing the goals of secondary education as outlined in the National Policy on education and encouraging a sense of unity and patriotism among students.
The school, popularly called FGGC Bakori by its alumnae, became a platform for learning for many great women over the years.
Under the theme: ‘Honouring Our History; Celebrating our Past and Investing in our Future’, the event brought together past students from different walks of life, working in different sectors of Nigeria’s economy and many outside the country in a jovial atmosphere to celebrate the institution that nurtured them over its 50 years of existence.
In an opening address, president of the Bakori Old Girls Association, Ms Hannatu Ismaila, said the association had come a long way and would continue to put more efforts to bring development to the school.
She gave a shout out to those who have contributed so much and will continue to do more to maintain the good standard of education at FGGC Bakori.
She said the essence of the event is for members to bond, network and support the institution as well as sustaining the spirit of ProUnitate.
Delivering the keynote address, pioneer student at the college and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Barrister Olabisi Soyebo, recalled the fond memories at FGGC Bakori, the adequate and qualitative education, discipline, and sound school management practices that would linger for a lifetime.
She recalled how the institution molded them and accorded students the opportunity to compete nationally and globally.
Barrister Soyebo urged the alumnae to unite and invest to foster the improvement of education, get rid of inequality against girls as quality education is an inescapable necessity for the development of the girl child and the society at large.
Delivering a goodwill message, Mr Ayo Joseph, an alumnus of the Federal Government College Ilorin, Kwara State, congratulated members of the association for the successes recorded both in academic and moral endeavors. He commended the women for the passion and zeal to do great things for the school that shaped them.
Also speaking, Pioneer National President Safiya Adamu revealed that the Anniversary Torch would pass through the various chapters of the association starting from Lagos State to Jos, Plateau State and then to Bakori in October which will be the main celebration of the institution’s 5oth Anniversary.
Similarly, during the event, graduates of the school from the first set of 1979 to the last set cheered as the 50th Anniversary Logo was unveiled and the Excos lit the Anniversary Torch in honour of the institution.
During a panel discussion, panelist Safiya Adamu, Ayo Joseph, and Dina Muazu decried the issue of insufficient funding and the heightened insecurity in Katsina State and the North-West in general, which has caused a decrease in the number of students at the school and inevitably the learning tempo.
They noted that budget allocated for unity schools in the country are relatively small and sometimes not put into good use by those in charge.
The panelist urged all members of the association to come together and change the narrative in order to bring back the good old days and take FGGC Bakori to enviable heights.
Speaking to Neptune Prime, some former students Rautha Sale (Class of 1990), Mariam Lawal (Class of 1990), and Mariam Morgan (Class of 1992), expressed excitement for Bakori at 50 and for the occasion which has reunited them with classmates, bringing back memories of unity and the quality of education the country had.
Ramatu Musa from the class of 1996 said FGGC Bakori fostered unity by bringing together the best and the brightest girls from different parts of the nation and from all background, ethnicities and religions to learn under one roof.
The alumnae urged the federal government to improve the standards of all unity schools in the country, in terms of security and infrastructure to restore the confidence of citizens in government schools.
Highlight of the event include the recollection of some fun memories in the school, the alumni reminisced how the institution availed them a teaching and learning environment which helped them attain a high level of knowledge for excellence.
Other members of the association participated virtually through a live zoom session.
