Education – Zamfara State Government

May 26 2024

EDUCATION IS AN ENABLER FOR OPPORTUNITIES, SAYS ZAMFARA GOVERNOR

PRESS STATEMENT

EDUCATION IS AN ENABLER FOR OPPORTUNITIES, SAYS ZAMFARA GOVERNOR

Zamfara Governor, Dauda Lawal described education as an enabler that provides the space and opportunity for easy social mobility worldwide.

The governor attended the Federal University, Gusau’s combined third and fourth convocation ceremony on Saturday at the university’s convocation arena.

A statement by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, revealed that Governor Lawal announced the state government’s scholarship for the overall best-graduating student.

While delivering his speech, Governor Lawal praised the university leadership for effectively utilizing limited resources despite operational constraints.

He said: “I am delighted to be with you today on the combined 3rd & 4th convocation ceremony of this incredible and promising university, the Federal University Gusau. I congratulate the university for achieving this feat despite the teething problems it has faced since its inception. I commend the parents, guardians, and all graduating students for dedicating their time and energy to attain this feat.
We look forward to a bright and fulfilling future despite the gloom of our challenges as a nation and people. We pray and are working round the clock to change the tide. These problems, too, shall pass by the unique Grace of Almighty Allah.”

The governor elaborated on his administration’s efforts to reform the educational system in Zamfara State after declaring a state of emergency last year.

“As a government, we are determined to educate all the children of Zamfara. Education is the enabler that provides the space and opportunity for easy social mobility.

“We have allocated a substantial amount of money to the education sector in our 2024 Appropriation and are hopeful to jack up the allocation to a higher level in 2025, 2026, and 2027. We hope to achieve the 25% to 30% recommended allocation to education as soon as possible. With reasonable allocation to the sector and efficient management of the resources, we are optimistic that we will revive the education infrastructure, hire more competent teachers, and train and retrain existing ones.

“We will also increase enrollment in both primary and post-basic schools through public enlightenment and the creation of better learning and teaching environments. Education is free, and we hope to make it compulsory as well.

“We have also made handsome budgetary allocations to our tertiary institutions in the state to begin the correction process of lifting them to efficient levels. The Zamfara State University is preparing to undergo, for the first time, accreditation of its programs by the National Universities Commission. We have directed contractors who were forced out of the site by the previous administration to return to the site, and we are hopeful that in the coming months, the university’s permanent site will be functional. At the same time, the NUC will accredit all courses.

“We inherited a state where the examination fees of WEAC and NECO to the tune of billions of Naira were not paid by the government for more than three years. We had to enter into special arrangements with the bodies, and payments have since commenced and will be completed as soon as possible.

“Within our limited resources, we will continue to render helping hands to the university. Our objective is to increase education in our state so that there is access and space for all our young people to be trained to attain the lofty heights that education provides.”

SULAIMAN BALA IDRIS
Spokesperson for the Zamfara Governor
May 26, 2024

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Mar 9 2024

EDUCATION IS A FUNDAMENTAL TOOL FOR DEVELOPMENT, SAYS ZAMFARA GOVERNOR

Governor Dauda Lawal has identified education as a fundamental tool for the development of Zamfara State.

On Wednesday, the governor was honoured with an award from pupils of Leadsprings International School at the Government House in Gusau.

A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, said that the students presented the governor with seven critical expectations for the future.

According to the statement, the expectations for the future of Zamfara state include the capital city of Gusau, the health sector, Zamfara airline, technology, agriculture, the economic and commercial sector, and industries and companies.

While addressing the pupils, Governor Lawal reaffirmed his commitment and determination to revamp the education sector.

“Education is a top priority for my government, second only to security. However, our education system has not been performing well in the past. In particular, the state of Zamfara consistently ranked at the bottom of every education index. This is why I declared a state of emergency in education.

“These include recruiting qualified and competent teachers, providing necessary teaching materials and infrastructure, and introducing innovative teaching methods.

“My administration will spare no effort to transform the education sector to meet the state’s and its citizens’ needs.

Governor Lawal expressed appreciation for the quality of education demonstrated by the students and thanked the management of Leadsprings International School for presenting him with the honour award.

“I am impressed with the quality of your presentation and believe that Leadsprings International School students are well-prepared to compete anywhere in the world.

“Thank you for the honour. My government will encourage you in whatever way possible. I call on other private schools to emulate your good work.”

In his remarks, Leadsprings International Schools proprietor Mr. Danjuma Sule expressed the school’s desire to align with the educational initiatives of the Zamfara State government.

“We are impressed by your government’s commitment to ensuring a safe learning environment throughout the state. We are also pleased with your decision to promote education for girls. Currently, Leadsprings International Schools has 386 girls enrolled in different classes, and we are dedicated to nurturing them to become valuable contributors to the development of Zamfara.”

SULAIMAN BALA IDRIS
Spokesperson for the Zamfara Governor
March 09, 2024

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Feb 28 2024

ZAMFARA GOVERNOR DISTRIBUTES LEARNING MATERIALS TO 250 PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SAYS EDUCATION IS THE BEDROCK OF CIVILIZATION

Governor Dauda Lawal has emphasised that education is a top priority in his Six Smart Agenda as it is the foundation of civilisation.

In a ceremony held on Wednesday in Gusau, the governor flagged off the distribution of teaching and learning materials to 250 public primary and junior secondary schools throughout Zamfara State.

A statement issued by the spokesperson of the governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, revealed that the materials were provided by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Abuja and UNICEF.

According to the statement, the items to be distributed are for 250 beneficiary schools, which comprise 242,176 Textbooks for different grades, 200 Play Materials for ECCDE, 25 ECCDE Tables & Chairs, 8,210 Library materials resources and 35 UNICEF (NLP) focus schools for solar power equipment.

During the flag-off ceremony, Governor Lawal expressed that Zamfara, an educationally disadvantaged state in Nigeria, will continue to require support and engagement from national and international partners to advance education in the state.

He said, “I am delighted to be at this significant event of distributing reading materials to students in our basic education subsector. This gesture is one of the many interventions that Zamfara State benefits from.

“We are overhauling sixty (60) secondary schools across the state under the World Bank Assisted Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA). Each local government area has six (6) secondary schools undergoing renovation, while the state capital, Gusau, has eight (8).

“The education emergency declared in the state is not limited to only basic and secondary education but also tertiary-level education. Provision of new facilities and rehabilitation of old ones is ongoing in all tertiary institutions across the state.

“Today’s event is a step in the right direction at the right time. It complements our efforts to provide Zamfara with qualitative and equitable education to liberate our people from ignorance and poverty. UNICEF’s noble objectives of promoting literacy and educational opportunities for students and learners in the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) initiative, aimed at facilitating learning both within and outside the classrooms, are commendable”

Furthermore, the governor disclosed measures his government took to settle the backlog of WAEC and NECO debts owed by the previous administrations of the state.

“We are reviving education at all levels to give meaning to the lives of our young people. Today, our students are writing both WAEC and NECO examinations like their counterparts across the country, leading to timely result releases. We have negotiated with the examination bodies and began settlement of liabilities inherited due to the failure of the past regimes to meet this basic requirement.”

SULAIMAN BALA IDRIS
Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to the Zamfara Governor
February 28, 2024

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Feb 25 2024

MY GOV’T COMMITTED TO PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION TO FUTURE GENERATIONS, SAYS ZAMFARA GOVERNOR

Governor Dauda Lawal has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensure that future generations receive a high-quality education in Zamfara.

Governor Lawal said this on Saturday during the third annual inter-house sports competition 2024 of the Almufida International Academy in Gusau.

A statement by the governor’s spokesman, Sulaiman Bala Idris, disclosed that the school’s proprietor awarded Governor Lawal with an award as the Grand Commander of Friends of the College (GCFC).

He said the governor was impressed by the students’ high skills and enthusiasm displayed during various sporting activities.

During his speech, Governor Lawal expressed appreciation for the school’s management in maintaining high standards.

He praised the students for their excellent sportsmanship, teamwork, and professionalism. “I am impressed by what I saw here. These positive attributes indicate a bright future.

“I am here today to show my support and encouragement towards revamping the educational sector in Zamfara State. As you may recall, I have declared a state of emergency in the state’s education and health sectors as part of my government’s agenda.

“The decision to respond to the challenges faced by the Zamfara education system is a positive step towards ensuring that the future generation receives a high-quality education.

“Education is the backbone of any society, and Zamfara can not afford to neglect it any longer. We are making bold decisions for future generations because the level of education in Zamfara is far below the acceptable standard, and we are determined to address this issue by allocating additional resources and funding, improving the quality of education, and enhancing teachers’ training.”

The governor inspected the college’s facilities and the students’ exhibition of their skill acquisition products.

SULAIMAN BALA IDRIS
Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to the Zamfara Governor
February 25, 2024

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Feb 14 2024

EDUCATION: GOV. DAUDA LAWAL MEETS WAEC LEADERSHIP, SECURES RELEASE OF WITHHELD RESULTS OF ZAMFARA STUDENTS

Governor Dauda Lawal has secured the release of the West African Examination Council results that were withheld for Zamfara Secondary School students.

The West African Examination Council (WAEC) withheld the results of Zamfara students over non-payment of N1.4 billion examination fees owed by the previous administrations in the state.

A statement issued by the spokesperson of Zamfara Governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, disclosed that the governor met with the leadership of the West African Examination (WAEC) at his Abuja office on Monday.

According to him, the delegation of the WAEC was led by the Chairman of the Administrative and Finance Committee of WAEC Nigeria, Hajiya Binta Abdulkadir and the head of the National office of WAEC Nigeria, Dr. Amos J. Dangut.

He said: “As part of the present administration’s determined effort to ensure that the state of emergency declared in education is seriously addressed, Governor Dauda Lawal hosted the leadership of the WAEC in his Abuja office.

“The Governor, who was in the company of the honourable commissioner of education, science, and technology, Mallam Wadatau Madawaki, discussed with the WAEC officials the issue of outstanding debt owed by the Zamfara state on examinations conducted under the previous administrations.

“The nonpayment of the WAEC fees for many years led to the non-release of the West African Examination results for the affected students. This, by extension, has caused many students not to participate in the mandatory National Youth Service Corp programme due to non-collection of their results.

The statement added that an agreement has been reached between the Zamfara State Government and WAEC on how to go about resolving the issue.

“At the end of the meeting, the examination body agreed to release the previous results and allow Zamfara students to participate in the 2024 WAEC Examinations.

“Both the state government and WAEC agreed on a payment plan of backlog debt, and the withheld results will be released before the end of this month.”

Also present at the meeting are senior officials of WAEC Nigeria, including Mr Ambrose Okelezo, the Zonal Coordinator; Mr Victor C. Odu, the Director of Finance; and Mr Segun U. Jerumeh, the Deputy Director.

SULAIMAN BALA IDRIS
Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to the Zamfara Governor
February 14, 2024

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Jan 29 2024

A CALL FOR APPLICATION!

NITDA/COURSERA Scholarship Programme: Cohort 3

A CALL FOR APPLICATION!

NITDA/COURSERA Scholarship Programme: Cohort 3

Application Start date: 24th january 2024, and the training programme will kickoff on February 10th, 2024

Hurry up and apply now, and don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity.

Application link https://links.nitda.gov.ng/coursera2401

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Jan 27 2024

GOVERNOR DAUDA LAWAL ATTENDS ABU CONVOCATION, SAYS EDUCATION REMAINS TOP PRIORITY

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has described education as the top priority for building a prosperous and sustainable society.

Governor Lawal highlighted the significance of education while briefing journalists during the 43rd Convocation of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. At the ceremony on Saturday, 25,432 graduates were awarded various degrees.

A statement by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, revealed that Governor Lawal is an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University and has made significant philanthropic contributions to the university.

He said the Zamfara governor contributed to various learning institutions within and outside Zamfara State due to his passion for education development.

He said: “Today, Governor Dauda Lawal attended the 43rd convocation ceremony of his alma mater, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.

“Since his days in the banking sector, he has been passionate about education development and has always considered giving back to society.

“Governor Lawal constructed a three-story building comprising lecture halls and offices. Additionally, he donated a new Costa bus to the Department of Political Science, where he graduated.”

In November last year, Governor Dauda Lawal declared a state of emergency on education in Zamfara State.

In line with the declaration, Governor Lawal’s administration has commenced the construction and renovation of 245 schools across the 14 local government areas of Zamfara; provision of two-seater desks for pupils and students, totalling 9,542 across schools in the 14 local government areas; equipping the constructed and renovated 245 schools with 619 tables and 926 chairs for teachers.

SULAIMAN BALA IDRIS
Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to the Zamfara Governor
January 27, 2024

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Jan 7 2024

GOVERNOR LAWAL FLAGS OFF DISTRIBUTION OF VITAL INPUTS TO ZAMFARA WEST FARMERS, CONSTRUCTION OF TSANGAYA SCHOOL IN GUMMI LGA

On Saturday, Governor Dauda Lawal flagged off the distribution of agricultural assets and farm inputs to farmers of the Zamfara West.

The flag-off ceremony in Gummi LGA was part of Nigeria’s COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Programme under the FADAMA III project.

A statement by the spokesperson of the Governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, noted that Governor Lawal launched the distribution of agricultural assets and the construction of a befitting modern Tsangaya School in Gummi LGA.

According to him, the state government approved constructing a modern Tsangaya Islamic School in each of the three senatorial zones to improve the quality of education in Zamfara.

The programme in Gummi LGA aims to provide essential input support and services to the Zamfara West senatorial zone farmers.

Delivering his speech at the flag-off, Governor Lawal said the project is dedicated to constructing and rehabilitating access roads in rural communities.

“My government will ensure the rehabilitation and construction of wet markets for safe and efficient functioning.

“Our main objective is to improve farmers’ productivity by providing them with essential inputs such as fertilisers, herbicides, insecticides, high-quality seeds, and seed dressing chemicals.

“For the upcoming dry season, we have allocated 33,000 bags of fertiliser – comprising 22,000 bags of NPK and 11,000 bags of Urea. This is in addition to over 700 power tillers and seeds for the production of rice and maize, which will be distributed to 19,000 farmers. Seven hundred thirty-five groups of ten farmers each will be empowered with Power Tillers, while 2,550 individuals will also receive small ruminant animals for empowerment.”

During the inauguration of the Tsangaya Islamic School project, Governor Lawal assured the people of Zamfara West senatorial zone that the school would meet high-quality standards.

SULAIMAN BALA IDRIS
Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to the Zamfara Governor
January 07, 2024

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Dec 6 2023

EDUCATION: GOV. LAWAL LEADS ZAMFARA OFFICIALS TO KIGALI FOR BESDA RETREAT

Governor Dauda Lawal led a delegation of officials from Zamfara to Kigali for a four-day retreat marking the end of Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) in the State.

The retreat commenced on Monday, 4th December, with a series of events aimed at revamping the educational sector in Zamfara State.

According to a statement by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, BESDA is a World Bank initiative that aims to improve literacy rates and provide equal access to education for out-of-school children in Nigeria.

The statement added that the BESDA program aims to improve basic education and strengthen accountability for results in states like Zamfara.

He said: “In line with the recent declaration of a state of emergency on education in Zamfara, Governor Dauda Lawal led a high-powered delegation comprising the Secretary to the State Government, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Executive Chairman of the Zamfara State UBE, and others to Rwanda for a retreat.

“The United Nations organised a four-day retreat as part of its Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) programme. The programme aims to reduce the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, which is currently the highest in the world according to UNESCO.

“In an interaction with the Rwandan Ministry of Education, the Zamfara State delegation held vital engagements on policies, strategies, programs, mechanisms, and initiatives for addressing Gender-Based Violence in schools (lessons learnt, achievement, challenges, and way forward).

“Other vital areas discussed are policies, strategies, and programs to address early pregnancy cases in schools and support provided identified cases.

“The Zamfara delegation also had a brainstorming session with the Rwandan Basic Education Board, where ideas were exchanged, especially on the overview of the work of the board and possible ways to improve the Zamfara State Universal Basic Education.

“Governor Lawal’s entourage also visited selected Public Schools (outside Kigali) with smart classroom settings to adopt and implement the same in Zamfara public schools.

“During a visit to the African Leadership University, Governor Lawal secured scholarships for Zamfara indigenes displaced by banditry in the State.”

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Nov 30 2023

MY GOVT. IS DETERMINED TO INVEST IN GIRL-CHILD EDUCATION, SAYS ZAMFARA GOVERNOR

Governor Dauda Lawal has reiterated his administration’s commitment to invest massively in girl-child education across Zamfara State.

On Thursday, Governor Lawal attended an awareness lecture on gender-based violence, organized by the office of the Zamfara State First Lady, Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal, as part of the 16-day activism.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the Governor called for a collective response against gender-based violence.

The statement added that the awareness program is one of the critical events of the office of the First Lady in its efforts to improve the lives of girl-children in Zamfara state.

While delivering his remark, Governor Dauda Lawal said that Zamfara has been unfortunately infested with insecurity for over ten years, which gave rise to insecurity.

“The insecurity in Zamfara gave rise to the internal displacement of several communities, and the victims are mainly girls and women.

“Gender-based violence is a serious problem that we face as people. Therefore, we are developing programmes aimed at solving this massive inequality by investing in prevention and public enlightenment and creating access to education as well as economic development.

“We are particularly determined to invest more in girl-child education by encouraging parents to send their girl-child to school.

“I recently approved massive renovations of some girls’ secondary schools, College of Health Technology, and College of Health Sciences across Zamfara.

“It is pleasing to report that there has been a significant increase in enrollment of girls in schools, which is a positive development.

Earlier, during her speech, the First Lady of Zamfara State, Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal, commended the State government for addressing issues related to girls’ education.

“Today, we have gathered together to declare with one voice that enough is enough! As the First Lady of Zamfara State, it is my unwavering commitment to stand as an advocate of change – a catalyst for a society where every person, regardless of gender, can thrive in safety and equity.” She said.

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