The call was made over the weekend during the 2nd Edition of the Old Students’ Association Congress, which brought together former pupils and community stakeholders to reflect on the school’s legacy and chart a path for its continued growth.
Chairman of the Congress, Engineer Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, described the gathering as more than a reunion, characterising it as a collective return to the roots that shaped the personal and professional journeys of many in attendance. Represented at the event by Professor Shehu Usman Karim, Sambo said Muhammadu Nya Primary School occupies a special place in the lives of its alumni, having produced leaders, professionals and public servants who continue to contribute to national development.
According to him, primary education remains the foundation of societal progress, and sustaining the school’s legacy requires deliberate and consistent action from those who have benefited from it. “As alumni, we have a sacred duty to sustain the legacy of this school and ensure its continued excellence,” he said.
Sambo, a former Minister of Transportation, highlighted some of his personal contributions to the education sector, particularly within the school and its surrounding community. These include the rehabilitation of security fencing, classroom blocks, a one-storey building and the school’s ICT centre, which he said was equipped with 12 computers. He added that similar interventions had been extended to other primary schools in the area as part of his broader commitment to grassroots development.
While commending the achievements of Muhammadu Nya Primary School over the decades, Sambo also drew attention to persistent challenges facing primary education. These include inadequate facilities, shortages of qualified teachers and the growing demands of a rapidly evolving digital environment. He urged alumni to pool resources and expertise to address these gaps through strategic investments and partnerships.
He identified priority areas such as modern classroom infrastructure, continuous professional development for teachers, scholarship and mentorship programmes for pupils, and stronger collaboration with parents and community stakeholders.
The guest speaker at the event, Dr Hisham Aliyu Bacci Mohammed, Acting Provost of the Federal College of Education, Obudu, Cross River State, reinforced the importance of giving back to one’s alma mater. He described the primary school years as a formative stage where values such as discipline, perseverance and responsibility are first instilled. He also stressed the need for sustained investment in infrastructure and scholarship schemes to support young learners.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Old Students’ Association, Mohammed Umaru, disclosed that Muhammadu Nya Primary School was established in 1927, making it one of the oldest educational institutions in the area. He announced that preparations were already underway to mark the school’s centenary anniversary.
Umaru called on members of the association to intensify their efforts toward the growth and development of the school, noting that it has produced notable traditional rulers, academics, politicians and technocrats across Nigeria. He said the centenary celebration would provide another opportunity to mobilise support and reaffirm the alumni’s commitment to preserving the school’s proud heritage.