By Abubakar Shekara
“Let us not forget our differences. Let us recognize our differences and respect them” – Words on marble by Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of Northern Nigeria.
It is a prescription made over half a century ago that has gained repetition in national discourse because it is a fact that rings more true to the situation of Nigeria.
Those words were rehashed again recently, at the 50th anniversary of Arewa House in Kaduna by Governor Kayode Fayemi, in his keynote address at the occasion. For Fayemi, the import of Sardauna’s unique call is the necessity for Nigerians to face up to their differences with mutual respect and turn their diversity into a catalyst for advancement to a greater nation.
A great nation, according to Fayemi and all speakers at the forum, is founded on justice, honest and transparent governance, values exemplified by late Sir Ahmadu Bello, which contemporary leaders ought to endeavor to imbibe.
Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar echoed Fayemi’s call, especially for the political leadership of Northern Nigeria, late Sardauna’s constitutional charge and major concern. He reminded the forum that Ahmadu Bello’s vision for the region didn’t include Almajiri’s begging on the street.
He stressed that the Premier envisaged a Northern Nigeria that would guarantee qualitative education for all citizens and protection against poverty, through the generation of employment opportunities for the people, especially youths, which he identified as the panacea against restfulness and a break down of the peace.
Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Vice Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum,who spoke for his group, also concurred with the conclusions of the Anniversary and expressed the NGF’s commitment to the virtues of good leadership, bequeathed by the Sardauna.
He reiterated their governments’ guarantee of good education for the citizens in their state, which he noted is the prerequisite for any positive development. Access to good education for all, he pointed out is the panacea to poverty and many forms of social menace, including the Almajiri problem.
Tambuwal’s talk at the anniversary matched his action, as a cursory look at trends in Sokoto State would prove. Openness and inclusiveness in governance, which are integral to good leadership are in practice under his watch, as symbolized by the unprecedented harmony between a balanced bipartisan legislature.
Access to information on government policies and programs and the participation of all spectra of society in the state’s budgetary process, affords the electorate the opportunity to partake in decision making. From 2015 to 2020, when the Sokoto migrated to the International Public Sector Accounting System (IPSAS), Tambuwal’s fiscal policy has upheld the universal principles of openness and accountability.
More than at any time in history therefore, there is an open and active discussion on the annual budget of Sokoto State. And even though this is portrayed as a crisis in certain quarters, it is a positive development for the system that signifies inclusion and participation.
The State of Emergency on Education declared at the inception of his administration, has initiated many programs and strategies that are guaranteeing greater access to higher quality schooling for citizens. Infrastructural transformation. With over 200 schools renovated, expanded and equipped statewide and numerous new basic, senior and tertiary institutions being built, the Emergency is achieving its objective of transforming this critical sector.
Infrastructural upgrade is complemented by teacher training schemes, the strengthening of the school system, through better supervision and the introduction of Community Based School Management Committees. The improvement of the service condition of teachers is being vigorously pursued through a sanitization of their payroll for a favourable review and prompt payment of their wages.
Sokoto State holds the model for dealing with the Almajiri issue. Tambuwal’s policy of not banning the age-long education model is rationalized upon the idea of sanitizing the system with a view to reaping its benefits and eliminating its undesirable features that are after all, brought about by decades of operational corruption.
An effective strategy on the Almajiri practice that is already yielding desired results is the introduction of Western learning skills in traditional Qur’anic schools. Over 100 integrated centers have so far been built and equipped in communities across the State by the Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar led, Consultative Committee on Educational Development.
A more elaborate blueprint on Almajiri education is being developed by the Tambuwal administration. Modeled after the PONDOC system of Indonesia, the strategy will give access to religious and Western schooling for this category of children, as well as train them in vocational skills to make them productive and employable.
Girl child education is experiencing a boost that is changing the narrative on Sokoto State, as indicated by an appreciable increase in school enrolment and retention indices for both sexes. A noble development is the ongoing construction of the Girls Science and Technical College in Sokoto, which will push up the level of females inclusion in education and service.
Governor Tambuwal’s vision for Sokoto State and the tangible accomplishments towards realizing it are certainly in tune with the visionary motto of Sir Ahmadu Bello: WORK AND WORSHIP.
