Governor Bagudu Inaugurates University Professors As Part time Chairman In the State.

Kebbi State Government has inaugurated ¹thirteen University Professors and eight Ph.D holders, indigenes of the state, to serve as part time Chairmen of Local Government Education Authorities, LGEAs, in pursuance of basic quality education at the grassroots.

Each one will head the Education Authority in his/her peculiar local government area.

Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu performed the inauguration at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Lodge, Birnin Kebbi this Wednesday after local government chairmen invested with the power to do so by law, consented and conceded the mandate to him.

Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu described the event as a landmark in the history of Kebbi state in mobilizing top echelon of the academia to partake actively in remedying the challenges of learning in primary schools saying that “his joy knows no bound by the honour done to the state”.

He expressed confidence in the belief that Kebbi state has the ability to deliver and set the pace.

He commended all the Professors for accepting to serve the state in the capacity of part time chairmen of local government education authorities and the zeal to meeting the desired goals.

Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu described what he called “systemic delay” in the education sector, arising from limitation of funds, averring that such challenges must be tackled decisively with immediacy.

The Governor told the part time chairmen to contact him directly on any matter in the course of their assignment, pledging to bear responsibility of any eventuality.

He was thankful to Emirs and other traditional rulers, local government chairmen, ministry of education, state universal basic education board, SUBEB and other stakeholders for their untiring efforts to ensuring improvement of education at foundation level.

 

He remarked that the University prof that inaugurated for the job were highly qualified professionals with the requisite experience to change the education sector for the better.

The governor closed his speech with a quotation that “he who opens a school, closes prison” alluding that an educated society is crime-free society.

Consequently, he commended the Kebbi state consultant of the Basic Education Service Delivery for All, BESDA, Professor Abubakar Abdullahi Bagudo, appointed by the Federal Government, for assembling such array of professionals to work collectively towards meeting the target objective.

Explaining the concept of BESDA to the audience, the consultant, Professor Abubakar Abdullahi Bagudo cherished the fact that the programme was operational in seventeen states in Nigeria, including Kebbi, jointly funded by the World Bank and the Federal Government to return out-of-school children back to classroom.

He said six hundred and eleven million dollars would be expended on the scheme that would focus on Almajiri, girl-child and nomadic children to receive basic formal education.

The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Alhaji Muhammadu Magawata Aliero, described BESDA, as “on a rescue mission”, to reverse the appaling condition of education in the country.

He made it clear that the inauguration of the part time Chairmen of Local Government Education Authorities by Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, was in consonance with the law passed by the Kebbi State House of Assembly in 2005, that instituted the power to making such appointment.

Alhaji Magawata further explained that no such appointment has been made until now, when Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu deemed it obligatory to do so to improving primary education in the state.

The chairman of Jega Local Government, Barrister Shehu Marshal who is Kebbi State ALGON Chairman, said local government chairmen who have the legal instrument to appoint the part time chairmen of LGEAs, have resolved to concede such right to the Governor in view of the enormity of the situation.

He affirmed commitment of the local government chairmen to providing the necessary support and co-operation to the part time chairmen to succeed.

The Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar, spoke on behalf of other Emirs, including the Emir of Argungu Alh. Sama’ila Muhammadu Mera who was present at the ceremony.

Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar who recited verses of the glorious Qur’an to portray the importance of education, expressed sadness about the huge population of Almajiris roaming the streets, some as young as five years. 

He described BESDA as well deserved scheme, expressing confidence on the success of the programme especially with the inauguration of university Professors to serve as active stakeholders.

The Emir pledged support, cooperation and obedience of traditional rulers to the success of the programme.

The LGEA part time chairman for Bunza Local Government, Professor Aliyu Muhammad Bunza, on behalf of his colleagues, affirmed readiness, zeal and commitment to discharging this onerous appointment with diligence.

The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Babale Umar Yauri introduced other part time chairmen as follows, Professor Ibrahim Husaini, Aliero LGEA, Dr. Muhammad Aminu Bui, Arewa LGEA; Professor Rabi Mohammad, Argungu LGEA; Professor Muhammad Aminu Bayawa, Augie LGEA; Professor Ibrahim Muhammad Bani Zagga, Bagudo LGEA; Professor Umar Aliyu Aliyu Chika, Birnin Kebbi LGEA; Dr. Sama’ila Kamba, Dandi LGEA; Dr. Nasini Muhammad Baba, Danko/Wasagu LGEA; Professor Muhammad Garba Mahuta, Fakai LGEA; Dr. Muhammad Shalla Bello, Gwandu LGEA and Professor Suleiman Khalid, Jega LGEA.

Also on the list are, Professor Faruku Aliyu Kalgo, Kalgo LGEA; Professor Abubakar Danbaba, Koko/Besse LGEA; Dr. Balarabe Isah Adamu, Maiyama LGEA; Professor Umar Abubakar Birnin-Yauri, Ngaski LGEA; Professor Sanusi Muhammad, Sakaba LGEA; Dr. AbulBasit Ahmad Atuwo, Shanga LEGA; Dr. Sodangi Umar, Suru LGEA; Professor Sadiq Abdullahi Yelwa, Yauri LGEA and Dr. Sani Dantani Manga Zuru LGEA.