ECOWAS :Education Key To Regional Integration
By Adoba Echono
The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who is also the Acting Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, says education is key in the process of integration in the region.
Senator Jibrin, , a prominent son of Kano State, led a delegation to Aliyu Saidu Bebeji Government Arabic Secondary School and Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria in Kano, North West Nigeria.
The visit by members of the Sixth Legislature of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament is part of sensitization visits to enlighten students in schools on the activities and relevance of ECOWAS in the region.
Senator Jibrin called on ECOWAS member states to ensure children in the region get quality education with modern facilities.
Explaining the importance of the ECOWAS in integrating the region and the relevance of ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Jibrin said they are in the school to bring the Parliament closer to the people and for the students to tap from their wealth of experiences.
He said: “We are here today for the members of the ECOWAS Parliament to know about our educational system and to meet our students, as well as for you, the students, to learn more about the ECOWAS Parliament.
“This school is like my school. I belong to this community. I was the first House of Representatives member of this Federal Constituency (Tarauni) in 1999.
“Therefore, I am donating uniforms to all the school’s students, one set for each student. I will send tailors to take your measurements for the new uniforms. I will also give a new Sharon vehicle for the school and N1 million to the teachers.”
Similarly, another member of the Parliament, Paschal Agbodike, who represents Ihiala Federal Constituency of Anambra State at the House of Representatives, donated N1 million to the school.
Earlier, the Kano State Commissioner of Education, Umar Doguwa, thanked the parliamentarians for the visit, describing it as the first in history.
Represented by the Director of Schools of the Ministry, Alhaji Abbas Abdullahi, the Commissioner lauded Senator Jibrin for bringing the ECOWAS delegation to Kano, saying it would benefit the entire state.
On his part, the school’s principal, Yusuf Atiku said: “I am not surprise with what Senator Barau did to us because of his generosity. That is why he is called Maliya.
“We appreciate this kind gesture and support to us. We will never forget what you have done to us. We thank you and the entire ECOWAS Parliament.”
At Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria the lawmakers interacted with the students on the significance of ECOWAS.
Jide Ibitoye.
