The Niger state government has approved N1 billion for the construction of a Teachers’ Professional Development Centre, to be known and called “Legacy Centre”, in Minna.

The state governor, Sani Bello, disclosed this at the combined graduation ceremony of the Niger State Teachers Professional Development Institute, held at the Legbo Kutugi Conference Center in Minna on Tuesday.

“This centre would be constructed soon at the premises of Government Girls Secondary School in Minna.

“This gesture is to beef up any gap in the system and give the students and the teachers a huge sense of concern in the sector,” he said.

Bello, however, explained that in spite of his administration’s passion and commitment as well as a huge investment in the education sector, insecurity and banditry have rocked the progress they have recorded.

“Niger government, as a result of insecurity, relocated students of two centres of Kuta and Dandaudu schools to the premises of Zarumai Secondary School, Minna, for safety.

“In our quest to put the state on the path of sustainable development in education, we are not going to succumb to the threat of insecurity,” he said.

Similarly, the Principal, Hajia Ayishatu Aliyu, of the Teacher Professional Development Centre, said that they have graduated three sets of 2019/2020, 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 sessions.

She explained that some students from the grassroots could not speak English when they were admitted, and expressed happiness that they have become well groomed on graduation.

“We are convocating 521 of three sets and we are sure of the students we have trained, they will do Niger proud and Nigeria in general,” she said.

Aliyu, therefore, appealed to the government to be more supportive while urging teachers to be more proactive in discharging their duties.

Academia from within and around Minna graced the occasion.