As part of activities marking Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day and his 59th birthday, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, made a significant humanitarian donation to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Kabusa Community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Tuesday.
The items donated included 1,000 bags of 10kg rice, 200 cartons of noodles, and over 800 pieces of clothes for men and women, as well as bedsheets. These contributions were aimed at alleviating the difficult conditions faced by the IDPs.
A statement from his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, detailed the Speaker’s visit, which was supported by Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Chief Whip Hon. Usman Bello Kumo, and other members of the House. Abbas, deeply moved by the plight of the displaced persons, said he felt compelled to act.
“I have been touched by what I have seen and heard about the situation of these displaced persons,” Abbas stated.
Representatives from the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) also attended the humanitarian event. In addition to the food and clothing, Speaker Abbas provided free medical services to the IDPs, particularly for those suffering from various ailments.
Earlier in the day, the Speaker had an interactive session with students from six public secondary schools in the FCT. The students, drawn from the six Area Councils of the FCT, engaged the Speaker in a dialogue that lasted over an hour, during which Abbas responded to their questions on education and other national issues.
During the interaction, Abbas stressed the need for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s education sector. He attributed the decline in the quality of education in public schools to the proliferation of unregulated private schools.
“Even teachers in public schools now send their children to private schools because they no longer believe in the system they are part of,” he lamented. Abbas reflected on the past, when public schools were the only option for every citizen, from top government officials to business tycoons. He said, “When we were growing up, there was no such thing as private school. Everyone, including the Emir, the Commissioner, the Minister, and the biggest business tycoon, sent their children to public schools. For that reason, there was strict and adequate supervision, which maintained the high standards.”
He decried the current state of education, where a lack of supervision and the uncontrolled growth of private schools have led to a sharp decline in standards, particularly in public schools.
The Speaker encouraged the students to develop a strong work ethic, noting that hard work is a key aspect of patriotism. He warned that while today’s generation has access to smart technologies, they should resist the temptation to take shortcuts to success.
“Believe in yourself, and work hard,” Abbas advised. He recalled his own experience of becoming self-reliant at a young age after completing his secondary education, becoming a teacher, and owning a home by the age of 19.
Abbas also emphasized the importance of national unity and urged the students to foster love for their country, regardless of ethnic or religious differences. “Loving your neighbor as yourself transcends ethnicity, tribalism, and religious sentiment,” he said.
