Media group under the canopy of Kogi Central Journalists’ Guild (KCJG) has called on the state Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo to rename the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara after his predecessor, Yahaya Adoza Bello.
In a statement by the National Chairman, Muhammad Tijani Abdulsalam, and the Secretary, Ozumi Abdul, the Guild said that such recognition would reciprocate Yahaya Bello’s unparalleled legacy in education, and other key sectors that propelled the state to enviable position.
The Guild recalled that education sector was in disarray before 2016 and that Yahaya Bello’s administration birthed an education roadmap through an Education Summit it convened in 2018. The summit came up with an enactment of the 2020 Education Law.
The media group listed Yahaya Bello’s administration’s achievements in education to include allocation of over 30% of the budget to education annually from 2021, surpassing the UNESCO benchmark.
“Bello’s efforts reduced out-of-school for children from over 550,000 to fewer than 87,000 by 2019, while a total of 833 classrooms were renovated as 1,800 new blocks were also constructed.”
The Guild said that the former Governor established model science schools and declared free education in public schools from primary to secondary level, and paid WAEC, NECO, and JAMB fees for students.
The media group noted that such efforts led to a sharp increase in students’ performance in national exams and culminated in the establishment of two state universities, CUSTECH, Osara in 2021 and Kogi State University, Kabba in 2023, making Yahaya Bello the only governor in Kogi’s history to achieve such a feat.
The Guild said that renaming CUSTECH after Yahaya Bello would not only honuor his vision for science and technological advancement, but will immortalize a leader who gave the state a new identity in unity, development and governance.
“Governor Ododo has a moral and historical responsibility to recognize the man who laid the foundation for modern Kogi.
“Renaming CUSTECH to Yahaya Adoza Bello University of Science and Technology will be a fitting tribute to a transformational leader.
“The appeal we make to His Excellency is consonant with international best practices, seeking to galvanize individuals with a strong sense of civic responsibility to help build a society that promotes the common good and enhances the quality of life for all.”
Meanwhile, the Guild announced the constitution of a 7-man Committee to push for the realization of its appeal.
