The Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has emphasised that the reduction of out-of-school children in the North can only be achieved through the collective effort of state governments, with a focus on policy formulation and effective implementation.
Inuwa Yahaya made the remarks during the commissioning of a Community School for Higher Islamic Studies in Kwaya Kusar Local Government Area of Borno State on Sunday, where he served as the Special Guest of Honour.
The Governor commended his Borno State counterpart, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, for his visionary leadership and relentless commitment to advancing education and other sectors.
He stressed the importance of education in the northern region and urged his fellow governors to prioritise the sector.
He noted that the community school built by Babagana Zulum, which is a 48-classroom facility, will help in the efforts towards revamping the education sector, particularly in tackling the challenge of out-of-school children.
He further encouraged Northern Governors to adopt similar initiatives to bridge the education gap in the region.
According to him, “Education is the key to transforming the future of our youths. Governor Zulum’s collaboration with educational partners like the Better Education Service Delivery for All project (BESDA) demonstrates the Borno State government’s commitment to addressing this challenge.”
The NSGF Chairman called on the people of Borno State to continue supporting Babagana Zulum’s administration, especially in these economically challenging times, to ensure the sustained delivery of democracy dividends.
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, had earlier led the Gombe State Governor on a tour of the newly commissioned educational facility, which represents just one of 16 newly completed community Islamic schools across Borno State.
The Governor also led the distribution of multimillion-naira educational materials to all public schools operating in southern Borno, comprising 10 local government areas.
In his address, Babagana Zulum reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fulfilling his 2019 gubernatorial campaign pledge to reposition Tsangaya education.
He highlighted the integration of Islamic and Western educational systems in the newly established schools as a significant step towards modernising Islamic education and increasing school enrolment.
Babagana Zulum explained that the commissioned community Islamic school is part of a broader plan to construct similar schools across all 27 LGAs of the state.
According to him, “We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that every LGA in Borno benefits from these projects before the end of our administration.”
He pointed out that, to supervise the newly established schools and ensure their proper functioning, the Borno State government has established the Tsangaya Islamic Education Board, led by Sheikh Khalifa Ahmed Abul Fathi.
The Governor expressed gratitude to the board, the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), and local community leaders for their support in promoting education and raising awareness about its significance, which has led to an increase in school enrolment across the state.
In their goodwill messages, the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engineer Lawal Abba Wakilbe, the Chairman of the Borno State NUT, and Sheikh Khalifa Ahmed Abul Fathi of the Tsangaya Islamic Education Board praised Governor Zulum for his far-reaching developmental initiatives.
They noted that his administration’s focus on education, humanitarian efforts, and infrastructure development has greatly improved the well-being of Borno State’s citizens, especially in recovering from the insurgency.
While at Kwaya Kusar, Governor Inuwa Yahaya unveiled the newly constructed Governor’s Lodge, which is expected to serve as an essential facility for administrative and governmental functions in the local government area, as contained in a statement by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director-General (Press Affairs), Government House Gombe.
ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
