Kogiflame
A student of the Government Secondary School in Ilorin, Usman Nasir has been missing for three weeks, as gathered.
The missing student Usman Nasir is a JSS 2 student who is on exchange programme from Jalingo Local Government Area of Taraba state.
The exchange programme, which involves an agreement for transfer of students between the 19 northern states in Nigeria, was introduced in 1984, ostensibly to establish unity, cultural understanding and togetherness, among students of the participating states.
Speaking, an exchange student from Kastina state who identified himself only as Abubakar, said the Nasir has been missing for three weeks now.
“Yes, he has been missing since. We don’t know his whereabouts. The school management said they are taking step on this, but we are not sure how serious they are on it,” Abubakar said.
Another student named Abubakar said, “The school is telling us that he ran away. But if truly he ran away, at least they should have seen him and bring him back by now. It is getting to a month now. They said they have involved the security and are also on a search mission. That is what they have been telling us.
“But personally, I don’t think the ministry and school authority are serious about this. Why? Last week, despite that it is two weeks already that the student is missing, the school still organised a send off party for our former senior principal who is now retired. Who does that? Who celebrates when his child is missing?”
His brother who is an SS 2 student also confirm this development.
When contacted for comment, the school principal, Ayodeji Amosa refused to comment on this development. “You can reach out to the Ministry of Education,” he said.
Several call and messages sent to the Commissioner for Education, Hajia Saadatu Modibbo Kawu were not responded to.
When our correspondent visited the ministry. The Permanent Secretary referred us to the Press Secretary, Peter Amogbonjaye who also refused to give official response.
A neglected legacy
Government Secondary School (GSS), Ilorin, Kwara State is the oldest post-primary institution in the state and among the oldest secondary schools in the country.
Established in October 1914, after the British amalgamated the Northern and Southern Protectorates to form what is today known as Nigeria, the school celebrated her 100 years of existence in 2014.
Replete with a rich history of excellence, the school has produced many prominent Nigerians in all walks of life – politics, academics, military and business, among others. It now runs a boarding system and serves as a centre of unity in diversity, with students from all the 19 northern states of the country, courtesy of her exchange programme.
