By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
Malam Damisa Suleiman, a retired Customs Officer and active member of the Kogi Unity Movement (KUM), has made a significant contribution to the educational development of Kogi State by donating his private secondary school, Salim Academy, to the movement.
He announced the donation during KUM’s monthly meeting in Lokoja on Tuesday.
Suleiman, who founded Salim Academy five years ago in Zango, a suburban area of Lokoja, expressed that the gesture was fueled by his deep commitment to KUM’s core mission — to foster unity among the diverse people of Kogi State, irrespective of political or ethnic differences.
“I have always believed in the values KUM stands for — unity and progress for Kogi.
“After consulting with my family and receiving their support, I decided to take this step to contribute meaningfully to the education and unity of our people,”Suleiman said.
He said the school’s new affiliation with KUM is expected to promote inclusivity in both its staffing and student body, focusing on recruiting individuals from all parts of the state without regard to tribal or political affiliations.
According to him,this aligns with the school’s founding mission of fostering unity, and expressed optimism that which this vision would be reflected in future management of the school.
“I am confident that with the expertise and quality of members KUM boasts, both public and private, the school will be managed effectively,” Suleiman added.
He encouraged the future management team to ensure that the concept of Kogi’s unity is deeply embedded in the school’s operations, from teaching practices to extracurricular activities.
In his address, Mal.Yesufu Omuya Ahmadu, President of the Kogi Unity Movement, commended Suleiman for his generous donation and called on other members to follow suit in supporting the movement’s objectives.
“This is a unique and selfless contribution. We urge other members to get involved in advancing the cause of KUM,” he said.
To oversee the transition and management of the newly donated school, Yusuf announced the formation of a five-member Education Committee.
The committee, led by Mal. Musa Sani as Chairman, includes Zainab Salami, Gladys Shittu, Amos Lawal, and Mojisola Olufemi.
The committee will visit the school’s location, establish operational guidelines, as part of its terms of reference and report back to KUM by March 4, 2025.
In addition to the school donation, KUM’s meeting also established nine committees, including a media committee, to streamline the movement’s operations as it continues to grow and work toward its goal of building a more unified and prosperous Kogi State.
This latest development highlights the genuine commitment of Kogi citizens, like Suleiman, who are eager to contribute to meaningful change and the educational advancement of their state.
