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Speaker Abbas Urges Alternative Education Funding, Less Reliance on Govt
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…advocate PPP, endowment at ZEDA AGM
By Gloria Ikiba
The Speaker House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has emphasised the need for diversified funding sources in Nigeria’s education sector to reduce dependence on government allocations.
He highlighted Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and endowment funds as viable alternatives to sustain and improve education financing.
Speaker Abbas made this call on Saturday during the 31st and 32nd Annual General Meeting of the Zaria Education Development Association (ZEDA) in Zaria, Kaduna State.
He was also honoured by constituents for his contributions to society.
As Chairman of the combined AGM, Abbas encouraged ZEDA to explore various funding opportunities to support educational development.
The Speaker stated that human capital development remains the cornerstone of our national progress, citing the examples of Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Luxembourg, Ireland, and Denmark, which have achieved remarkable progress.
He said: “Diversifying funding streams is critical as well. By establishing endowment funds or engaging in public private partnerships, we can reduce our reliance on government funding. Successful models in countries such as Denmark and Ireland have demonstrated that diversified funding can drive long-term, sustainable growth in the education sector”.
“They have done so not by relying solely on natural resources but by investing heavily in education, training, and innovation. Their success is reflected in their high rankings on the Human Development Index and ease of doing business.
“Nigeria, blessed with vast natural resources, must equally prioritise the development of its people to realise its full potential”.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas underscored Zaria’s long-standing educational legacy, tracing back to the 16th century, as a cornerstone of academic excellence and national development.
Recognized as home to Ahmadu Bello University and several other institutions, he highlighted Zaria’s vital contributions to Nigeria’s intellectual and professional landscape.
“Our collective history compels us to safeguard and expand this legacy for future generations,” said Abbas, who represents Zaria Federal Constituency. He noted that several new educational initiatives he facilitated would significantly enhance learning opportunities in Kaduna State and beyond.
Among these are a Federal College of Education, a College of Health Sciences, a National Open University of Nigeria campus, and a College of Legal Studies. “Once fully operational, these institutions will drive both educational and socio-economic progress within our community,” he stated.
However, Abbas stressed the need to tackle obstacles hindering educational growth, particularly at the primary and secondary levels, and noted challenges such as out-of-school children, support for learners with special needs, and overall education quality as urgent issues requiring attention.
He said: “I commend the proactive measures by Governor Uba Sani’s administration in Kaduna State. The efforts have notably reduced the number of out-of-school children through the construction of over 62 new secondary schools, thereby addressing critical infrastructure deficits.
“Looking ahead, it is imperative that ZEDA continuously evolves to meet emerging challenges. Successful models, such as the United Kingdom Education Development Trust and Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research, have shown the benefits of embracing digital innovation.
“ZEDA should integrate technology in order to transform how we monitor educational outcomes, facilitate virtual training for teachers, and expand access to learning resources. By doing so, we can connect stakeholders, streamline processes, and enhance transparency.”
In the House of Representatives, the Speaker pointed out that the Legislative Agenda is aligned with these priorities.
He said: “We remain committed to advancing universal basic education, enhancing secondary and technical education, and integrating innovative reforms that address both current and future challenges.”
Speaker Abbas hailed the Grand Patron of ZEDA , His Royal Highness, the Emir of Zazzau, Malam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, CFR, LLD, for his “fatherly guidance and unwavering commitment have been a beacon for ZEDA.”
Later, Emir Bamalli thanked the Speaker and other prominent indigenes of Zaria for their developmental strides in the ancient city. The monarch emphasised the importance of ZEDA to Zaria, while seeking more support from stakeholders.
By Gloria Ikiba
The Speaker House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has emphasised the need for diversified funding sources in Nigeria’s education sector to reduce dependence on government allocations.
He highlighted Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and endowment funds as viable alternatives to sustain and improve education financing.
Speaker Abbas made this call on Saturday during the 31st and 32nd Annual General Meeting of the Zaria Education Development Association (ZEDA) in Zaria, Kaduna State.
He was also honoured by constituents for his contributions to society.
As Chairman of the combined AGM, Abbas encouraged ZEDA to explore various funding opportunities to support educational development.
The Speaker stated that human capital development remains the cornerstone of our national progress, citing the examples of Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Luxembourg, Ireland, and Denmark, which have achieved remarkable progress.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas underscored Zaria’s long-standing educational legacy, tracing back to the 16th century, as a cornerstone of academic excellence and national development.
Recognized as home to Ahmadu Bello University and several other institutions, he highlighted Zaria’s vital contributions to Nigeria’s intellectual and professional landscape.
“Our collective history compels us to safeguard and expand this legacy for future generations,” said Abbas, who represents Zaria Federal Constituency. He noted that several new educational initiatives he facilitated would significantly enhance learning opportunities in Kaduna State and beyond.
Among these are a Federal College of Education, a College of Health Sciences, a National Open University of Nigeria campus, and a College of Legal Studies. “Once fully operational, these institutions will drive both educational and socio-economic progress within our community,” he stated.
However, Abbas stressed the need to tackle obstacles hindering educational growth, particularly at the primary and secondary levels, and noted challenges such as out-of-school children, support for learners with special needs, and overall education quality as urgent issues requiring attention.
News
ALERT! Terrorists planning attacks on worship centres, schools, NYSC camps – Police issue alert
The Nigerian Police Force High Command has placed formations nationwide on red alert over alleged planned terror attacks on worship centres, schools, National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, orientation camps and other public places across the country.
According to Premium Times, the police also revealed that intelligence had shown the movement of armed elements from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State.
The development followed fresh intelligence indicating increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks on places of worship, learning institutions, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable targets across the country.
The findings showed that following the intelligence report, the high command has issued an operational order to its formations nationwide on the need to put the criminal elements in check before they will strike.
The Anambra State Government has said it is still servicing loans inherited from the administrations of former governors Peter Obi and Willie Obiano, even as it maintains that Governor Chukwuma Soludo has not borrowed from any commercial bank since assuming office.
The Commissioner for Finance, Izuchukwu Okafor, said the state’s debt burden had fallen by more than 83 per cent under Soludo, with the administration also clearing several inherited domestic obligations.
Okafor disclosed this during a Ndi Anambra podcast uploaded by Anambra State New Media on Monday while explaining the state’s finances and debt position.
He said repayments on loans secured by previous administrations continued to be deducted from Anambra’s allocation through the Federation Account Allocation Committee, including obligations dating back to the Obi and Obiano administrations.
“Yes, every month during our FAC meetings, and when you see the schedule of FAC, you will notice there were substantial, significant deductions from our own FAC because of loans previously borrowed by previous administrations,” Okafor said.
“These loans were borrowed, you know, during the time of, even, not the immediate predecessor, even during the time of Peter Obi and Willie Obiano, His Excellency, the past governors,” he said.
According to the commissioner, the Soludo administration had focused on managing the inherited obligations while avoiding new commercial borrowing.
“It’s on record, you know, that this administration has not borrowed a kobo from any commercial bank since the inception of this administration,” he said.
Okafor said the government had also settled a number of legacy liabilities, including unpaid contracts, gratuity and pension arrears, bringing the state’s domestic debt close to zero.
“But I will give you an example for our domestic debt, the control, the legacy, what we call legacy debts, you know, the contracts that were not paid, not owing, the gratuity arrears, pension arrears, we’ve been able to clear all that,” he said.
He added, “In terms of, so, our domestic debt as of today is near-zero balance.”
The commissioner attributed the reduction in the overall debt burden to repayments made by the administration, saying several inherited loans had already been settled.
“But I will also say that Mr Governor has not borrowed a penny. We have been able to manage the debt, the state debt, very well, that we have brought it down by more than 83 per cent as of today. I’ve been able to repay back most of these loans,” he said.
External obligations, however, remain part of the state’s financial commitments. Okafor explained that repayments on some foreign-denominated loans are deducted from the state’s federal allocation under the terms attached to the facilities.
“But following as well, external debts, which is foreign loan-denominated debts, when you look at it, because there are some covenants around the period it will take to pay off these loans, particularly deducted as such when we are doing FAC,” he said.
“Before they limit Anambra’s own allocation, they will deduct it as such, because most of them, World Bank loans and other loans, they committed.”
Okafor also disclosed that the state had recently fully repaid one of its debts.
“There is one debt that we recently paid off, CAGS,” he said.
He said the reduction in inherited liabilities had given the government more room to finance other priorities.
“So, in a nutshell, I’ve been able to, you know, create more fiscal space for Anambra State,” Okafor said.
He added, “This administration has been able to create more by paying off, you know, backlog of numerous debts inherited from previous governments, starting from the time of Peter Obi.”
No fewer than nine passengers were killed when gunmen opened fire on a commercial bus at Dungus Junction in Kuru community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Residents told journalists that the incident occurred when the bus driver parked to allow some passengers alight at the junction.
According to Daily Trust the bus which was heading to Jos was stained with blood and riddled with bullets.
Lawan Suleiman, a neighbor and teacher of one of the victims, confirmed the incident, adding that the attack occurred while the bus was stopped at the junction.
He said, “The driver is Ibrahim and he was my student. Three of them are from our community here in Bukuru. Their bodies have been deposited at the hospital. But relatives are preparing to collect them for burial.”
Spokesman of the Berom Youth Moulders, BYM, Rwang Tengwong, also confirmed the incident saying the victims were passengers travelling to Jos when the attackers opened fire on their vehicle.
“The incident happened around 9.40p.m. The victims were all passengers travelling to Jos when the terrorists opened fire on the vehicle. Among those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow. It is a very sad development and we lament the loss of lives.”
According to him, some of the passengers sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to hospitals, where some later died.
Plateau state police command is yet to issue a statement regarding the incident as of press. (Daily Trust)
ALERT! Terrorists planning attacks on worship centres, schools, NYSC camps – Police issue alert
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