The newly appointed Chairman of the Governing Board of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, has pledged his full support towards transforming basic education in Nigeria.
Al-Makura made this commitment during his official assumption of duty at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Sunday by UBEC’s Public Relations Officer, Mr David Apeh, the Chairman vowed to leverage his wealth of experience and background as a strong advocate of universal and quality education at all levels to reposition the basic education sector. He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing him to the role.
Recently appointed by Nigeria’s President and inaugurated by the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, Al-Makura promised to leave a lasting legacy at UBEC by the end of his tenure.
“I cherish this four-year term appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because I am a trained teacher with a Grade II Certificate, a National Certificate of Education, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (Social Studies). As a trained teacher, I chose to teach during my mandatory National Youth Service Corps year before venturing into civil service, private enterprise, and politics,” he said.
He also highlighted his longstanding involvement in the education sector, noting:
“When I was Governor of Nasarawa State, I supported the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). While in the Senate, I was a member of the UBEC committee, so I am a stakeholder in universal and quality education at different levels.”
Al-Makura further commended President Tinubu for appointing Hajiya Aisha Garba as Executive Secretary of UBEC, recalling their first interaction during his tenure as Governor when she worked with the World Bank on a project in Nasarawa.
Praising her efforts since assuming office in January, the UBEC Chairman said:
“I commend her efforts, but she needs support to continue to succeed in developing basic education in particular, and further education in general.”
Executive Secretary Hajiya Aisha Garba expressed gratitude for having Al-Makura, whom she described as her mentor, as Chairman of UBEC.
“I was with the World Bank when he was Governor. When I was appointed, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed me to go and fix UBEC. I am thankful to the President for appointing an experienced education stakeholder as Chairman. The Chairman and I have pledged to leave a lasting legacy long after we leave the Commission,” she stated.
PIAK