The Governor of Niger State in North Central Nigeria, Mohammed Umaru Bago has called on Nigerians to have respect for humanity devoid of religious sentiment.
Governor Bago in a statement by his spokesperson Bologi Ibrahim stated this during the 2nd Public Lecture of the Al-Ansar Centre for Comprehensive Education (ACCE), Abuja.
The Governor commended the founder for establishing the school and named it Al-Ansar in Arabic which means ‘helper.”
He urged the founder to make the school open to all irrespective of religious differences so that the right knowledge would be impacted to the younger generations.
Governor Bago who expressed concern over the way and manner people treat others said; “religion should not be forced on anyone.”
The Chairman of the occasion and former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isah Pantami represented by the Director General of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, NIGCOMSAT, Tukur Funtua applauded the school management for providing Islamic and Western education to the students to better the society.
The Special Guest of honour, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, represented by his Deputy, Umar Kadafur appreciated the complementary role the Al-Ansar Foundation has been providing not just in Borno but in Nigeria as a whole, especially in the area of education among others.
The Guest Lecturer, Ustaz Nurudeen Lemu spoke on the theme “Time/Space Factor and the Dynamics of Change: The Imperatives of Re-examining the Mission of Islamic/ Muslim Schools in a World of Disruptive Technology.”
He emphasised the need to provide the right knowledge and strong foundation for Children to be immune to the negative impact of disruptive technology.
He said that; “disruptive technology is a new normal that might not be eliminated but will continue to evolve.”
Lemu recommended internships for children, and capacity building for the teachers while the leadership of the school should learn to hire fast, quickly groom, and not relent to fire when necessary.
The Founder and President of Al-Ansar Foundation, Dr. Mohammed Dikwa said “The theme of the lecture was carefully chosen to ensure the children excel and remain disciplined in a disruptive technological society.”
Chairman of the ACCE Governing Board, Prof. Salisu Shehu said the centre is a school where integrated teaching and learning for both Islamic and conventional education has impacted the children.
Professor Shehu however assured the centre’s commitment to in-house capacity building and training for the teachers in the school and those in schools with similar vision.
He added that the school intended to be an education resource centre beneficial to all in the society.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
