First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has met with the Founder of the Qatar Foundation, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned, to seek the organisation’s support and intervention for more than 15m Out-of-School Children in Nigeria.
Mrs Tinubu said the Nigerian government, through the Ministry of Education, is set to implement a transformative model of the Almajiri Education School System that integrates both Islamic and formal education
She said; “These schools will host and care for the children in a safe learning environment, which will include a mosque for worship, incorporate skills acquisition, and offer boarding facilities for students, as well as residence for Imams and caregivers.
“This holistic approach will allow children to acquire both Formal and Islamic education free from exploitation, while equipping them with life skills that empower them to build their lives and contribute meaningfully to society.”
The First Lady however noted that the country needs support and foreign aid, to achieve the goal.
“However, given the magnitude of this challenge and the competing demands on our national resources, Nigeria cannot achieve this alone, we need strategic partners, and Your Highness represents precisely the kind of visionary partners who can help us make this dream a reality,” she told her host.
Mrs Tinubu commended Sheika Moza for her various interventions, especially in the education sector through the Foundation that built the Qatar Education City with over 40 schools, including Universities and the Qatar National Library.
“I am proud to learn of your achievements in surpassing the target of enrolling 10 million marginalised children into school, and all that you continue to do for humanity around the world.
“Watching you do all these great works has reinforced our conviction that change is possible and I believe reaching out to your esteemed organisation could provide the support we urgently need,” the Nigerian First Lady stated
Support
In her response, the Chairman of the Qatar Foundation, Sheika Moza Bint Nasser Al-Missned promised to actively support the Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education in Nigeria.
She stated that the foundation would work with the Ministry of Education in this regard and also with the training of the handlers and teachers in the schools when established to ensure the best outcomes.
Earlier, Mrs Tinubu had visited the headquarters of the Qatar Foundation where she was conducted round by the CEO of the Foundation, Yousif Al Na’am and others.
She was told that Nigeria has 41 alumni from the Muhammad Khalifa University.
The First Lady was in Qatar with the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed and the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, Dr Muhammad Sani Idris.