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Precious Ugwuzor
For the people of Gujeni in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, last Thursday was more than another date on the calendar. It marked a moment of transformation as the African Natural Resources and Mines Limited, ANRML, handed over a newly constructed block of three classrooms and a staff room to the Government Secondary School, Gujeni.
What could have passed for a routine inauguration gradually unfolded into a story of partnership, hope, and a renewed commitment to education in a rural community.
The commissioning was performed by the Vice Chairman of Kagarko LGA, Hon Titus Musa, who described the project as a timely intervention in a school long in need of improved infrastructure. Standing before the freshly painted building, he emphasised that the new classrooms would significantly improve the learning environment for both students and teachers.
The atmosphere at the ceremony reflected a blend of gratitude and optimism. His Royal Highness Engineer Bitrus James captured the community’s mood when he thanked ANRML for what he called a “wonderful support” to Gujeni.
“When there is a conducive environment our children will learn better,” he said. “ANRML has done well and we trust that as time goes on, they will do better to ensure we have a conducive environment.”
The Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Senior Secondary Education Board, Dr Suwaiba Ibrahim, spoke in the same vein. She noted that the state government was pleased with the project, describing it as evidence that the company shared the state’s vision for educational development.
“By building these classrooms, the company has shown that it is on board with the drive of educational development in the state,” she said. “It is not just the building but a commitment to the development of the children of Kaduna State. We are happy with what the company has done.”
Representing the Kaduna State Ministry of Education, the Director of Public Schools, Mr Mallam Muktar Maude, offered a vote of thanks while calling on the community to take ownership of the facility. He commended ANRML for strengthening public private partnership at the grassroots and urged parents, teachers, and students to protect the furnished classrooms and staff room.
For the Village Head of Gujeni, Mr Dogara Wakili, the project signified progress long desired by the community. He praised ANRML for providing a well furnished block of classrooms equipped with desks and tables designed to give students a conducive learning atmosphere.
The Principal of the Government Secondary School, Mr Musa Danjuma Jasper, placed the significance of the project in context. The school, he explained, was built in 2008, and several structures had since deteriorated. “The building of these classrooms and staff room by ANRML has given us a better infrastructure and will help transform the school,” he said. “We know it is part of their community development service but we appreciate them for this.”
The students themselves were not left out of the day’s sentiments. One of them, Vivian Matthew, expressed appreciation for the new facilities and appealed for more teachers to support learning. The students later performed a short stage play to show their gratitude, while the ANRML Women Forum distributed notebooks and pens to the schoolchildren.
In a symbolic handover, the CEO of ANRML, Mr Narasimha Nayak, presented the keys of the classrooms to the school principal. He prayed that the facility would become a beacon of hope and opportunity for the future of the community and congratulated ANRML and the African Industries Group on the initiative.
ANRML, part of the African Industries Group, has in recent years intensified its corporate social responsibility projects across Nigeria. In Gujeni alone, the company has provided boreholes, overhead tanks, transformers, medicines, and community health checkup support. These efforts, channelled through the African Industries Group Foundation, aim to create long term social impact in health, education, empowerment, and environmental sustainability.
For Gujeni, the newly commissioned classrooms stand as the latest reminder that partnership between communities and private sector actors can leave a lasting legacy of development.
