Tinubu, Abbas Honoured for Contributions to Education in Zaria

…as speaker vow to set up fund for teachers’ education

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By Gloria Ikibah

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, have been honoured for their significant efforts in advancing education in Zaria Local Government Area, Kaduna State.

The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Zaria chapter, in collaboration with the Local Government Education Authority and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), presented the awards of excellence to both leaders on Friday in Zaria.

The recognition took place during activities marking the Speaker’s two years in office. The event, called “Iya Day,” references his traditional title, Iyan Zazzau.

In his remarks, Speaker Abbas expressed appreciation for the recognition and emphasized that much of the progress in Zaria was made possible through the support of President Tinubu. He noted that federal interventions and projects have expanded in the constituency since 2023, with further commitments underway.

Speaker Abbas also praised President Tinubu’s responsiveness to development initiatives proposed by Kaduna State leaders, including himself and Governor Uba Sani.

The Minister of State for Regional Development, Hon. Ubah Maigari Ahmadu, received the President’s award on his behalf. During the event, the Minister announced plans to upgrade selected schools in the area to strengthen leadership development among students.

Speaker Abbas also pledged to set up a fund to enable teachers who are willing to further their studies to do so without hassle.

“I remember when I was a teacher, not many will have the courage to combine teaching and learning. I was able to combine teaching and studying at the same time. In those days in Zaria, we were blessed early on to have many institutions, unlike other parts of the North, and I took advantage of that opportunity to further my education.

“As a result, I’m going to set up a fund for teachers who have the desire to further their education but don’t have the means to be able to do so with ease,” he added.

To improve access to education, the Speaker distributed 116 motorcycles to head teachers across the schools and announced plans to provide an additional 500 motorcycles to classroom teachers the following day.

He also facilitated the payment of scholarships ranging from N200,000 to N800,000, depending on each student’s field of study, benefiting hundreds enrolled in tertiary institutions. In addition, funds were allocated to cover Secondary School Certificate Examination fees (NECO and WAEC) and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registration for more than 3,000 secondary school students in 2024 and 2025.

Expressing appreciation for the recognition by the teachers, Speaker Abbas stated that these initiatives stem from his commitment to education and respect for the teaching profession, which he credited as the foundation of his own personal and professional development.

“I am sincerely touched by this gesture of yours, which you did out of your own free will; nobody prompted you. I never asked for recognition for whatever I do because I do things purely out of my love for education and the teaching profession that paved the way for me to be where I am today. So, there is no iota of political coloration whatsoever.

“I can remember when I was a teacher, and how difficult it was to meet with family responsibilities due to the meager earnings of teachers in those days. Now that global economies are facing serious challenges, I wonder how you, as teachers, feel trying to cope. So, I vowed that any opportunity I get would be utilized to enhance the working conditions of teachers in Zaria to the best of my abilities,” Speaker Abbas said.

On the need for reviving extracurricular activities that hitherto produced leaders in sporting fields across the country, Speaker Abbas assured the people of Zaria of his readiness to establish a sports center where young boys and girls could develop their innate abilities to excel.

“Another assurance I want to give is the establishment of a sporting center. In the past 30 years, there’s been a complete neglect of sporting activities, no wonder our athletes and footballers are no longer being recognized nationally and internationally. We would like to see a new Muhammad Ali, Kanu Nwanwko, Atanda Musa, and Ahmed Musa produced from Zaria,” he said.

The Speaker also called for the reviving of inter-house sports competition among primary schools, as well as secondary schools, to help develop young talents.

He equally advocated for the return of quiz competition among schools, recalling that one of such competitions he sponsored in his early days in the House produced some bright minds, who went on to excel both at home and abroad.

The Speaker also called for the reestablishment of Boys Scouts and Girls Guides in schools, saying he was an ardent promoter of the initiatives during his teaching days. He was sad that such lofty youth outfits were allowed to die down across the country.

Stakeholders at the event, who included the Chairman of Zaria Local Government, Engr. Jamil Ahmad Muhammad; the Chairman, Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board, Muhammad Mubarak, as well as the Executive Secretary of Zaria Local Education Authority, Dr. Hassana Muhammad, in their various, speeches acknowledged the Speaker’s contributions to the growth of education in Zaria.

They noted that Speaker Abbas has so far given adequate attention to the welfare and empowerment of teachers, as well as building and renovating over 116 primary schools, and many others newly constructed by the Speaker.