Ubadawaki School Relocation Dispute: Tsonzami President Defends Permanent Site, Challenges Gabi Protesters’ Claims.

Ubadawaki School Relocation Dispute: Tsonzami President Defends Permanent Site, Challenges Gabi Protesters’ Claims

The President of Tsonzami Development Association has defended the proposed relocation of Ubadawaki Senior Secondary School to its designated permanent site, dismissing concerns about flooding and insecurity while insisting that community leaders from the four benefiting communities had previously inspected and agreed to the location.

The disagreement over the proposed relocation of Ubadawaki Senior Secondary School in Ubadawaki Ward, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, has taken a new turn following clarifications by the President of Tsonzami Development Association.

In a conversation with NupekoTV, the association's president responded to concerns raised by youths from Gabi community over the proposed relocation of the school from its current temporary location to a site described by supporters of the relocation as its permanent location.

The dispute follows objections from residents of Gabi, Tswan and Nagu communities, who had raised concerns about the alternative site's safety, its proximity to the Egwa River, possible flooding and the adequacy of available facilities.

However, the Tsonzami Development Association president has challenged these concerns, arguing that the location was provided by Tsonzami after the other communities reportedly indicated that they had no suitable place to offer for the establishment of the senior secondary school.

Addressing the concerns raised by Gabi youths, the Tsonzami Development Association president maintained that the proposed permanent site was safe and suitable for the school's academic activities.

He disputed claims that the location was dangerously close to the Egwa River, arguing that the site was sufficiently far from the river and was not vulnerable to flooding or security threats as alleged by those opposing the relocation.

According to him, the concerns being raised about the location do not reflect the circumstances surrounding the selection of the site.

His position contrasts with that of residents from Gabi, Tswan and Nagu, who previously told NupekoTV that the proposed location raised safety concerns and that the available infrastructure was inadequate for a school reportedly serving more than 300 students.

The competing positions highlight the need for an independent assessment of the location's safety, environmental conditions and suitability for educational activities.

Explaining how the permanent site was selected, the Tsonzami Development Association president said that following the approval of Ubadawaki Senior Secondary School to serve the four communities of Gabi, Nagu, Tswan and Tsonzami, the communities were asked to provide a suitable location for the institution.

According to him, the three other communities indicated that they did not have a suitable place to offer at the time.

He claimed that Tsonzami subsequently provided the location that was proposed for the school and that representatives of the four communities agreed to it.

The association president further maintained that community leaders from all four communities inspected the location before agreeing to its use.

He specifically claimed that the leader of Gabi community, who are now associated with the opposition to the relocation, was among those who inspected and agreed to the site.

The claim, if confirmed, could become central to resolving the disagreement, as the current dispute appears to involve differing accounts of the original understanding among the communities.

However, NupekoTV has not independently verified the alleged agreement or obtained documentary evidence establishing the positions taken by the respective community leaders during the initial site selection.

The Tsonzami Development Association president also questioned why, according to him, the relocation issue was not openly challenged during previous community meetings.

He alleged that whenever the issue of moving the school to its permanent site was raised, the other communities did not provide clear responses.

According to him, the present opposition is difficult to reconcile with what he described as the earlier agreement reached by community leaders.

The president, however, said he did not wish to engage in a prolonged dispute with the other communities, stressing that his intention was to clarify Tsonzami's position on the matter.

He expressed appreciation to NupekoTV for giving the association an opportunity to explain its side of the controversy.

In further explaining Tsonzami's involvement in the development of the school, the association president referred to an arrangement concerning the school's registration for recognition by the National Examinations Council (NECO).

According to him, the four communities had agreed to contribute a total of ₦2 million, with each community expected to provide ₦500,000.

He claimed that Tsonzami fulfilled its part of the arrangement by providing its ₦500,000 contribution in cash.

The president cited the contribution as evidence of Tsonzami's commitment to the development of the school and its willingness to support the educational needs of the four communities.

However, the details of the contribution arrangement, including whether all four communities eventually paid their respective amounts, were not independently verified by NupekoTV.

The latest clarification comes against the backdrop of an earlier report by NupekoTV detailing concerns expressed by residents of Gabi, Tswan and Nagu over the proposed relocation.

In that report, the communities maintained that they did not agree with the alternative site being considered for the senior secondary school.

They identified Tako Gabi Nursing and Primary School, where Ubadawaki Junior Secondary School is also located, as the permanent location they recognised for the senior secondary school.

The residents also raised concerns about the alternative site's location on the outskirts of Lafiagi, its proximity to the Egwa River, possible flooding, insecurity and the reported availability of only three classrooms without a staff room.

They argued that relocating a school with more than 300 students and approximately 40 teaching and non-teaching staff members required adequate planning and the provision of appropriate facilities.

The Tsonzami Development Association president has now offered a different account, insisting that the disputed location was provided after the other communities reportedly indicated that they had no suitable site and that their leaders subsequently agreed to it.

The conflicting accounts have made the history of the site's selection, the nature of the alleged agreement and the adequacy of the proposed location key issues in the ongoing disagreement.

The dispute over Ubadawaki Senior Secondary School raises important questions about community consultation, the selection of school sites and the need to ensure that educational infrastructure meets the needs of its intended beneficiaries.

While Tsonzami's president maintains that the location was previously agreed upon and is safe, residents opposing the relocation have expressed concerns that they believe should be addressed before academic activities are moved.

Resolving the disagreement may require the Kwara State Ministry of Education, school management and representatives of the four communities to review the history of the site's selection and establish the facts surrounding the alleged agreement.

An independent assessment of the site's security, flood risk, classroom capacity and other essential facilities could also help address the competing claims.

Such an approach would allow the authorities to determine whether the proposed location is suitable for the school and what improvements may be necessary before relocation.

The controversy surrounding Ubadawaki Senior Secondary School remains unresolved, with Tsonzami Development Association defending the proposed permanent site and disputing the concerns raised by youths from Gabi and residents of other communities.

While the association president insists that the four communities previously agreed to the location and that Tsonzami contributed ₦500,000 towards the school's NECO recognition arrangements, some residents maintain that the relocation requires further consideration.

The central issues now include whether the four communities formally agreed to the proposed site, whether the location meets the required safety and infrastructure standards, and how the disagreement can be resolved without disrupting students' education.

NupekoTV calls on the relevant education authorities and representatives of the four communities to pursue dialogue, verify the competing claims and prioritise the safety, welfare and educational needs of the students.