Senator Natasha Hadiza Akpoti-Uduaghan on Monday returned to Federal Government College (FGC), Idoani, Ondo State, 28 years after graduating as Head Girl of the Class of 1997, unveiling major education and community projects in a gesture she described as gratitude to the institution that shaped her formative years.
The lawmaker, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, led the groundbreaking of a new school auditorium and staff quarters and commissioned solar-powered streetlights installed across key areas of Idoani community.
The event, attended by school management, traditional rulers, students and community stakeholders, marked what many described as a powerful homecoming that combined personal history with sustainable development.
The solar streetlights, facilitated through federal advocacy, have improved night-time visibility, boosted security and stimulated evening economic activities. Residents said the initiative has made movement safer for students, traders and farmers who return home after dark.
Addressing the gathering, Akpoti-Uduaghan said her intervention was driven by appreciation rather than political considerations.
“FGC Idoani molded my character, discipline and leadership. Returning to give back is purely an act of gratitude,” she said.
She disclosed that the legacy projects, expected to be completed next year, include a 2,000-seat auditorium, a 500-seat multipurpose hall, 10 staff quarters, 300 solar-powered streetlights and a 50,000-litre solar-powered water system.
According to the senator, the projects will tackle long-standing infrastructure gaps at the college, enhance learning and assembly spaces, improve staff welfare and expand access to potable water for both the school and host community.
Community leaders praised the initiative as uncommon and exemplary, noting that the projects were initiated by a senator serving outside Ondo State. One elder described the gesture as “the return of a daughter who remembers where her journey began.”
The intervention, executed through national partnerships rather than constituency funds, underscored Akpoti-Uduaghan’s ability to attract federal resources for development beyond her immediate constituency.
For residents of Idoani, the visit symbolised more than a reunion—it was the homecoming of a former student whose public service mirrors the values instilled by her alma mater: discipline, service and excellence
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, Former Head Girl FGC Idoani returns with Legacy Projects
