By Mumini Abdulkareem
Labour Party governorship candidate in Kwara State, Comrade Issa Aremu has harped on the need to put in place strategic plans to abolish all forms of ignorance in the state.
He warned that the old Kwara that was set to abolish illiteracy must be restored as a precondition for development.
Besides, the party, Aremu said, if elected to lead the next government in the state he will declared emergency in the education sector in Kwara.
He said this on Thursday at the Science Fair Competition organised by Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) and International Citizens Service (ISO) at Apata Ajele Community Secondary School, Eiyenkorin area, Asa Local Government of the state.
Four schools, including Apata-Ajele, Araromi-Ayegun, Ogele and Lasoju in Eiyenkorin took part in the competition themed “Science is a Human Right”.
Aremu, who spoke through the state Chairman of Labour Party, Comrade AbdulKareem Mumini Onagun, disclosed that the competition is coming at the right time happening at the eve of democratic elections.
He said with this, “You have commendably put the issue of education on the agenda for stakeholders, including politicians who must really care for their people as we really care in the LP.
He said that the liberation the state needs can only manifest in rebuilding of government owned institutions of learning.
The governorship hopeful also expressed concern over poor condition of infrastructure in public schools, saying there was need to raise the quality of education, dilapidated structures and management of the sector.
Aremu, who recalled with nostalgia his days as a student of Ilorin Grammar School (IGS), said the then state government in spite of limited state budget was able to provide free school uniforms, books as well as access to pipe borne water and clean and good toilets.
Decrying the state of infrastructure in the schools that participated in the competition, the Labour Party governorship candidate, expressed his willingness to build a toilet for the winning school, especially for the girl students to improve their hygiene.
He commended the voluntary organisations for organising the event, saying that it will promote science as a tool for peace and development in communities and also boost morale and confidence of the students and staff.
The Project Officer of VSO, Jennifer Madueke, told the gathering that the organisation was brought to Nigeria in 1958 while it has spent 10 years in Kwara State rendering educational support and social responsibility services.
Nigerians and foreigners constituted the volunteers from the two organisations.
Also present at the occasion was the wife of Comrade Issa Aremu, Hajia Khadijah and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Akanbi Shuibu among others.
Other highlights of the event included presentation of cash donation by Comrade Aremu to support the project, presentation of writing materials to the students and sanitaries to female students courtesy of Hajia Khadijat Issa Aremu
