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YOBE CHILDRENS' ACADEMY DAMATURU COMPILED BY THE HEAD OF ADMIN The history of YCA cannot be compiled and completed, without taking into consideration the following: The Mindful Focus of the Proprietress The Start of the Academy The Progress of the Academy The Growth of the Academy The Tragedy Experienced Experience after the Tragedy The Academy Today

THE MINDFUL FOCUS OF THE PROPRITRESS The school did not exist just out a vacuum but instead from a mindful focus of a focused person who has seen it through the hole of a needle which not everyone can see, coupled with her courageous, industrious and bravo nature. She has been no other person other than HAJIYA DR. MRS. MAIRO AHMAD AMSHI. She didn’t came up with the idea and the wonderful initiative only because it can serve as a profit oriented organization, No, but she is very ambitious in augmenting and yet complementing the effort of the state government in uplifting the standard of education n Yobe State and beyond for the benefit of YOBEANS and NIGERIA as a whole.

THE START OF THE ACADEMY Yobe Children’s Academy came into existence following the creation of states during the then General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s administration in 1991 in which Yobe is one of the states that has been created. By September 14th 1992 almost a year after, YCA came into being. It will be recalled that YCA is the pioneer private school ever came into being in the metropolis before others that exist today. We are proud to say that we are the first in Damaturu if not in Yobe State. Time has not been wasted for the school to receive the blessing of the state ministry of education as a duly registered private school. Even though at its wake, the school operates at a temporary site at Shagari Lowcost extension along Gashua road in a rental apartment of ten (10) demarcated classroom including a Headmaster’s office, spacious staff room and a store with only a population of eleven (11) pupils and only four dedicated crop of tutors.

THE PROGRESS OF THE ACADEMY The school gradually gained momentum and accommodate up to three hundred (300) pupils which cut across the Nursery and the Primary section and going by this number after several supervisions by the state ministry of education, the school received yet another blessing and has been allocated a permanent site off Gashua Road, Adjacent to Ali Marami Housing Estate. In September 1997, the school shifted to the permanent site that has been developed. Here, all activities were geared, extracurricular activities became a priority as all work no play they say make Jack a dull boy. Games activities was fully introduced and physical exercise fully commenced under the following houses inaugurated:- RED HOUSE (Muhammad Memorial) GREEN HOUSE (Abubakar Gume) YELLOW HOUSE (Dr. Lawan) and BLUE HOUSE (Ahmad Dachia) Since then, inter house competition became an annual event and visitation to the two major media house i.e YTV and YBC became a weekly base event. The following clubs has also been introduce: The Quiz and Debating club The Cultural and Drama club The Young Farmer’s club The Craft and Exhibition The Religious Societies The school was then at the whelm of score in almost all the state and federal common entrance examination. The number of pupils exceeded to six hindered (600) and above while teaching and non-teaching staff reach up to 36 in number. Even as the school operated now at its permanent site, the expansion of the building and the acquisition of equipment has been unprecedented. We give glory to God Almighty Allah for making it possible for the academy to record so much progress in-so-short a time that the school was also the first among others to boasts of owning a school Bus.

THE GROWTH OF THE ACADEMY Successful progressive record of excellence of the academy lead to the growth of the academy where by 20th century, the Nursery and Primary school gave birth to the High School (Secondary school) which started with JSS I and SS I.   More structure were put in place and the academy expanded to a certain level comparable to any notable institution anywhere even compared to government schools. There were:- More than thirty (30) classrooms ranging from Nursery, Primary to the High school that are well equipped and very conducive and ventilated. Three (3) laboratories (Chemistry, Physics and Biology) Large capacity library, well equipped A large capacity computer and ICT room well equipped with gadgets Large size water dam and overhead tank for portable water supply And many others that cannot be mentioned in this write up. Since then, WAEC registration and exams commence after the school has been duly supervised and accredited by the state ministry of education and the WAEC body with more than 150 number of candidates for a start. During the growth period, the academy recorded one thousand three hundred and eighty four (1,384) number of enrollment ranging from Nursery up to the High school and eighty four (84) number of staff ranging from management, teaching and non-teaching staff including cleaners, drivers, and watchmen. Thereafter, NECO and NABTEB exams also commenced. Field trip/excursion within and outside the state became a termly event. Academic gown prepared and annual graduation also became a yearly event. All the above and many more not to mention were part of the growth of the school.

THE TRAGEDY EXPERIENCED Even as the academy progress and reach to a growth level, notwithstanding, life has two sides, the rising and the falling sides which can both be experienced by a person or an organization which YCA has not been speared because it is a destiny. Not until on July 20th 2012, the academy was faced with a tremendous tragic event following the unavoidable activities of the insurgence in which all the success recorded in the progress and the growth of the academy has been levelled to ashes in just few hours. The whole of the academy has been set ablaze and burnt to ashes levelling more than thirty three (33) classrooms and all the materials in them into ashes. Yes, as one progress in life, yet one is bound to experience problems and even tragedy but not to the extent to which YCA experienced because it was too diverse and beyond the management’s ability to handle. Uncle Hezekiah Adamu (May his soul rest in peace) was a primary school teacher who has been cut up at the school premises and was shot to death by the insurgence (hate to remember but the history will not be complete without mentioning this part). The entire staff, relatives and friends of YCA shed tears like running water, we all thought that was the end of the academy but because of the infinite Allah’s mercy, it wasn’t the way we thought it would be.

EXPERIENCE AFTER THE TRAGEDY As the insurgence activities escalated, the Yobe state government close down all schools for almost three (3) months. During the period, concern staff of the school, friends of YCA, relatives of the proprietress, parents and members of the Ali Marami community not forgetting Alhaji Ali Adamu, the community leader of Ali Marami housing estate were at the forefront that brought the academy back to life through their advices, suggestions and physical participation by testifying that the academy must continue even under tree shades. Not forgetting the Principal (Hajiya Hajara Ahmad Amshi) who has been very courageous and bravo in patronizing the premises even as everywhere was just ashes, silent as graveyard, stink as dead bodies and horrible as a horror joint. She has not been relented in her effort to put things together, she and Saleh Adamu the school maintenance officer while almost everybody in Damaturu was in exile. On October 3rd 2012, the state government announced the re-opening of schools and YCA also took off and started with the little shelter available at the admin block that been partially burnt. More than half of the staff return from exile and partially the academy started and continue almost afresh with considerable number of pupils and students. It was very shocking and was not easy, it was like yet another start.

THE ACADEMY TODAY Sticking by the axion of the academy’s motto “DETERMINATION” coupled with the advice and suggestions of friends of the academy galvanized the academy into action despite the tremendous and diversified damages cause by the insurgence. Even as it is hard to go back to normal, yet, the academy has gone more than halfway in population and equipment for excellent performances. The academy today recorded enrollment of more than eight hundred (800) pupils/students ranging from Nursery, Primary, up to High school and up to fifty (50) dedicated and committed crop of teaching, non-teaching staff and the rest. Up to twenty (20) classrooms has been renovated with not less than fifteen (15) three sitter seats in each class and all other activities in proper shape and direction again. The academy is now back on track again and by Allah’s blessing, it is really gaining momentum. The EYE has been asked “WHO DOES IT LOOK DOWN AT MUCH” The eye answered and said “HE WHO IS ALWAYS IN MY SIGHT” and that is what we’re to the public today. The academy does not go into advertisement or furnishing just to attract the public anymore, No, but instead allow the excellence and the reality in it to speak to the public. Time has come of age for the public to judge. Many has withdrawn their wards only to come back again because they have experienced the difference. Even though the academy received aids which could not compensate the damages caused by the insurgence activities, the management is soliciting with philanthropist, individuals, groups or organization to come its aid. Our doors are always opened for help, advices, suggestions and even criticism and always in anticipation of your positive moves and gestures. Samaila Audu (Uncle Eljash) Head of Admin