President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr. Abbas Tajudeen, have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to the development of education in Nigeria, particularly in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The honours, conferred through awards of excellence to both the President and the Speaker, were done by the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Zaria chapter, in collaboration with the Local Government Education Authority, and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
The awards were given during one of the events marking the two-year anniversary of the Speaker, tagged: ‘Iya Day‘ — in recognition of the Speaker’s traditional title of Iyan Zazzau.
The Speaker expressed gratitude to the teachers for recognizing the fact that without the support of President Tinubu, Zaria Federal Constituency wouldn’t have had the opportunity of enjoying the level of democracy dividends it currently attracts through him.
Speaker Abbas also showered encomium on President Tinubu for his benevolence in granting developmental requests coming from Kaduna State either through him or the State Governor, Sen. Uba Sani.
He also said that Zaria Federal Constituency has greatly benefited from many federal government intervention projects since 2023, with promises of additional ones.
Speaker Abbas also pledged to set up a fund to enable teachers who are willing to further their studies to do so without hassle.
“I remember when I was a teacher, not many will have the courage to combine teaching and learning. I was able to combine teaching and studying at the same time. In those days in Zaria, we were blessed early on to have many institutions, unlike other parts of the North, and I took advantage of that opportunity to further my education.
“As a result, I’m going to set up a fund for teachers who have the desire to further their education but don’t have the means to be able to do so with ease,” he added.
To encourage easy mobility to school, the Speaker had also distributed 116 motorcycles to every Head Teacher in the schools, with a promise of an additional 500 more to be given to classroom teachers on Saturday.
Payment of scholarship sums ranging from N200,000 to N800,000, depending on the course of studies, for hundreds of students in tertiary institutions, payments for Secondary School Certification Examination (NECO/WAEC) fees, as well as JAMB registration for over 3,000 secondary school students in 2024 and 2025.
Speaker Abbas, who was visibly touched by the acknowledgement and gesture of the teachers, informed them that his interventions were based on his love for education and the teachers’ profession, which provided the foundation for his personal growth and development.
“I am sincerely touched by this gesture of yours, which you did out of your own free will; nobody prompted you. I never asked for recognition for whatever I do because I do things purely out of my love for education and the teaching profession that paved the way for me to be where I am today. So, there is no iota of political coloration whatsoever
“I can remember when I was a teacher, and how difficult it was to meet with family responsibilities due to the meager earnings of teachers in those days. Now that global economies are facing serious challenges, I wonder how you, as teachers, feel trying to cope. So, I vowed that any opportunity I get would be utilized to enhance the working conditions of teachers in Zaria to the best of my abilities,” Speaker Abbas said.
On the need for reviving extracurricular activities that hitherto produced leaders in sporting fields across the country, Speaker Abbas assured the people of Zaria of his readiness to establish a sports center where young boys and girls could develop their innate abilities to excel.
“Another assurance I want to give is the establishment of a sporting center. In the past 30 years, there’s been a complete neglect of sporting activities, no wonder our athletes and footballers are no longer being recognized nationally and internationally. We would like to see a new Muhammad Ali, Kanu Nwanwko, Atanda Musa, and Ahmed Musa produced from Zaria,” he said.
The Speaker also called for the reviving of inter-house sports competition among primary schools, as well as secondary schools, to help develop young talents.
He equally advocated for the return of quiz competition among schools, recalling that one of such competitions he sponsored in his early days in the House produced some bright minds, who went on to excel both at home and abroad.
The Speaker also called for the reestablishment of Boys Scouts and Girls Guides in schools, saying he was an ardent promoter of the initiatives during his teaching days. He was sad that such lofty youth outfits were allowed to die down across the country.
The President’s award was received on his behalf by the Minister of State for Regional Development, Mr. Ubah Maigari Ahmadu.
The Minister thereafter informed the Speaker of an initiative by the ministry to upgrade selected schools to cater for critical areas of leadership development among students.
Stakeholders at the event, who included the Chairman of Zaria Local Government, Engr. Jamil Ahmad Muhammad; the Chairman, Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board, Muhammad Mubarak, as well as the Executive Secretary of Zaria Local Education Authority, Dr. Hassana Muhammad, in their various, speeches acknowledged the Speaker’s contributions to the growth of education in Zaria.
They noted that Speaker Abbas has so far given adequate attention to the welfare and empowerment of teachers, as well as building and renovating over 116 primary schools, and many others newly constructed by the Speaker.
Olusola Akintonde