Education, gateway to economic liberation– Zamfara traditional ruler
Education, gateway to economic liberation– Zamfara traditional ruler
The Emir of Kaura Namoda, in Zamfara, Dr Sanusi Ahmad-Asha, has urged authorities and affluent Nigerians to invest more in education to fast-track economic development of area.
The emir made the call on Monday while hosting six indigenes of the Emirate who had been appointed as Professors and Readers in their academic disciplines by various universities to a reception (Walima) in his Palace.
They included: Professors Aliyu Moyi, Yahaya Yusuf, Aminu Abdullahi, Aliyu Abdullahi, Abdulkarim Bello and Mas’ud Bello.
Ahmad-Asha said that government at all levels needed to invest heavily in the education sector to provide younger generation conducive environment for learning.
The emir congratulated the professors and sons of the local government, saying they were honoured by the emirate for excelling in various fields, thereby making the local government proud.
He, however, tasked them to give back to the society and their communities by mentoring the younger ones to follow their steps.
The emir urged the professors who excelled in the Sciences and the Humanities to support the efforts to deepen commitment in advancing education and the economics development of Kaura Namoda LG.
Ahmad-Asha tasked government and institutions of learning to evolve curricular and fields of studies that would align with extant global realities and the realities about the lives of the people.
He emphasised the need for promoting education that has direct bearing and benefit to the economy and the well-being of the citizens.
According to him, transforming the education sector in conformity with the realities of the contemporary life would tackle poverty in the society.
He stated that transforming the education sector would translate industrial development, as such bolster the socioeconomic development of the state and Nigeria in general.
Ahmad-Asha urged the wealthy individuals in the emirate to support the indigent children to obtain education for the even economic development of the area.
The emir commended the Dr Dauda Lawal- led Zamfara Government for declaring a state of emergency in the education sector.
According to him, the emergency in education is timely and must be sustained to support the career development of sons and daughters of Kaura Namoda LGA in particular and the State in general.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, Mannir Haidara, commended the emirate for organising the epochal event.
According to him, the historic gathering brings together esteemed indigenes of the area who had reached the pinnacle of academic achievements in their different fields.
“Education is and remains the backbone of any serious society. Having such caliber of people in our community is highly commendable and worthy of celebration.
“Kaura Namoda LGA has developed an education plan and strategy under the leadership of one of the celebrants, so that our dream of a society with sound education can become reality,”the LGA boss said.
He appealed to all the stakeholders and the scholars to deepen efforts to provide quality education to the younger generation.
” I call on these distinguished scholars to bring their wealth of knowledge and scholarship to bear in their communities.
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“This is to ensure that in the years to come , Kaura Namoda will be recognised not only as a centre of knowledge, but also as a community where education guides all other activities,” Haidara said.
He lauded the emir for uniting the people towards achieving the set goals of the local government and the emirate.
Earlier in a keynote address, the first professor in Zamfara and also an indigene of the local government, Prof Jafaru Kaura, appealed to governments in the North-West region to establish funds similar to the Federal Government’s Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Tetfund).
Kaura said those funds, when established in the states of the the region would augment the funding from their annual budgets and that of Tetfund’s interventions.
” They should be established with emphasis on the Colleges of Education to address the gaps in infrastructure and supply of quality teachers.
“When such funds are established, they should be insulated from politics by appointing strong board of Trustees to manage them,” Kaura emphasised.
He also called on the Federal and State governments to review the teaching policy and make Master’s Degrees as the minimum requirement for teaching in the Colleges of Education in the country.
” Review curriculum of teacher-education from time to time to enhance the quality and relevance of institutions’ academic programmes in tune with needs of society.
“Improve teacher educator’s welfare in form of enhanced salary and it’s regular payments.
“Enhance information technology (IT) capability of the teacher educator through special rigorous trainings to meet current global standards,” Kaura urged.
