From Rashidat AbdulRahman, Minna
The Niger State Government has reiterated its commitment to ensure qualitative basic education and reduce indices out of school children in the state.
Niger State Governor, Umar Mohammed Bago stated this through his Deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, at the graduation of pupils and commissioning of Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, second chance project held at Maizube Nomadic School, on Thursday in Minna, the capital.
Governor Bago, who described education as a veritable tool, said it teaches skills and helps to broaden the horizon and perspective of pupils towards becoming more useful to themselves and the country at large.
“Indeed, in life we all need a second chance at achieving our goal.”
“I am sure that the beneficiaries who are going to get a second chance at learning basic education or vacation skills here will be better off for themselves and their communities,” he said.
Earlier, the Acting Chairman, Niger State Universal Basic Education Board, NSUBEB, Dr.Fatima Jella Sulaiman, expressed gratitude to the state government for the unwavering support in providing educational opportunities for all, especially through the second chance project which is a beacon of hope for those who for various reason were unable to get access to education.
In his addess, the Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi,explained that UBEC’s reason for going into construction and equipping of second chance schools for states is one of its strategies for the realiszation of the goal of universal basic education programme that provides access to basic education for all order to eliminate illiteracy and ignorance.
He further noted that second chance schools are meant for women and girls, who for one reason or the other, were not enrolled in schools or did not complete either primary or secondary education.
“This opportunity is for different categories of women, those who want to acquire elementary basic education and those who inspire to pursue academic development beyond basic education,” he said.
In his welcome addess, the principal of the school, Mallam Kolo Mohammed Nassarwa said the mission of the school is to see that knowledge is imparted to pupils and students to best of our ability and capacity in order to develop them socially, morally and economically as well as ensure that the have good character.
He also noted that the school is located in nomadic rural setting to provide free and functional education to the children of the nomads living within the host communities in irrespective of their tribal, cultural and religious affiliations.
“Greater number of these individuals have graduated and are excelling in their various tertiary institutions in Nigeria and beyond.”
Mallam Mohammed Nassarwa commended the former Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar for the love he has for nomads to give back to humanity through education, training and empowerment of the less privileged.
In his remarks, the former Head of State and founder of Mazube Nomadic School, Gen. AbdulSalami Abubakar, commended parents and guardians for entrusting their children/wards to the school and urged them try their best to give quality education to their children to any level.
Gen. AbdulSalami also advised the graduands to continue to be good ambassadors of Maizube Nomadic School, as they step out into the larger society, even as they are adequately armed with knowledge and determination.
