By Saheed Ibrahim

The National President of the Ansar-ud-Deen Old Students’ Association, Alhaji Naibi Afolabi Ahmed, has appealed for government support to improve infrastructure at Ansar-ud-Deen Comprehensive High School, Owo.

Speaking at a press conference marking the school’s 50th anniversary, Ahmed underscored the urgent need for government intervention to upgrade facilities and create a more supportive learning environment.

Ahmed detailed the school’s major challenges, including land encroachment by cattle herders, insufficient student accommodations, and ongoing staffing issues.

 “We currently lack hostel facilities,” Ahmed noted, explaining that the school, once renowned for its boarding programme, now operates solely as a day school.

However, he disclosed plans to establish hostel accommodations for male students, with construction to commence after the anniversary celebrations.

Ahmed also raised concerns about frequent teacher transfers, which he said disrupt students’ academic progress.

 To mitigate this, the alumni association has been funding ad-hoc staff to cover key subject areas, ensuring students have access to the support they need.

While acknowledging the contributions of the government, Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), and alumni, Ahmed stressed that further support is essential to sustain the school’s achievements.

 He commended the institution’s academic successes, noting an impressive 94-95% pass rate in WAEC and NECO exams from 2015 to 2023. Additionally, the school recently clinched the top spot in the 2024 Science and Mathematics Olympic Debate for Owo Local Government, solidifying its reputation as a hub of academic excellence.

The 50th-anniversary celebrations will feature an inter-school debate, a football competition, career talks, project commissioning, award presentations, and a thanksgiving service to honour the school’s legacy and accomplishments.