Emir Of Gombe Thumbs Up BESDA For Reducing Number Of Out-Of- School Children

The Emir of Gombe,

(Dr.) Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III has commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for keying into the Federal Government/ World Bank programme, Better Education  Service Delivery for All, BESDA, calling on scholars and parents to cooperate in sustaining the project.

The Emir was speaking when he hosted Government officials and the league of Ulamas and Tsangaya teachers( scholars) during a sensitisation/ advocacy programme at his palace in Gombe.

While underscoring the importance of education in societal development,  Dr. Abubakar III said even before the introduction of BESDA programme in Gombe state he had established a foundation, through which he sponsors thousands of pupils for free education with hundreds of almajiris also benefiting from the gesture in his personal effort to reduce out- of- school children.

The Emir, who is also the Chairman of Gombe state Council of Emirs and Chiefs, assured that the traditional institution will continue to support all efforts at improving literacy and enhancing education.

In his remarks at the occasion,  the state Commissioner of Education,  Dr. Habu Dahiru said over 70, 000 tsangaya learners are currently benefitting from the intervention programme of the Better Education Service Delivery for All,  BESDA in Gombe state.

He said the programme now has 791 learning centres with 75,491 learners, out of which 61,637 are male  while 13,854 are female.

The Commissioner solicited the  support and cooperation of Islamic scholars towards the success of the programme, saying it is the right of  every child to have better and quality education  which is the key to socio-economic transformation of the society.

He said on assumption of office, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya declared state of emergency in education in an effort to revamp the sector, revealing  that  huge chunk of the 2020 budget has been appropriated for education development at all levels.

While appreciating the cordial relationship existing between  BESDA and the traditional institution, Dr. Dahiru also noted with delight that the Emir of Gombe has for long been involved in providing conducive environment for Tsangaya schools and improving the welfare of Almajiris in the state as part of his community service.

Gombe state Coordinator of  BESDA,  Dr Abdullahi Bappah  Garkuwa thanked  the Emir for his unflinching support  to the programme and the drive by the state government to mop up out- of- school children and improve literacy level in the state.

He also appreciated community and religious  leaders in the state for embracing the programme,  urging them to continue in that direction.

The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi and other top Government functionaries witnessed the event which was attended by over 200 Tsangaya teachers and state council of qur'anic memorisers, known as Alarammas from the eleven local government areas of the state.

Photo credit: Abdul No Shaking

Ismaila Uba Misilli
Senior Special Assistant
( Media and Publicity)