In a significant step towards empowering Almajiri students with vocational skills, the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, in collaboration with the MacArthur Foundation, has successfully graduated 40 students from its skills acquisition training program.
The initiative, designed to promote self-reliance among Almajiri students, provided training in embroidery, cap-making, and robe-making, equipping them with valuable skills to enhance their livelihoods.
The graduation ceremony took place at Tsangayar Mallam Abubakar Hayin Danbushiya in Kaduna and was attended by dignitaries from within and outside the state.
The representative of Commissioner for Education, Kaduna State, Malam Abbas Shehu, expressed the government’s gratitude to the foundations for their support to train forty AlmajirI students in different skills acquisition.
He also announced the state’s plan to establish four new schools in four local government areas. These schools will integrate Tsangaya (Islamic) education with Western education and vocational training, further enhancing opportunities for Almajiri students.
Director of Finance at the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Dr. Haruna Mohammed Jumare, Maradin Zazzau, emphasized the importance of the program in transforming the Almajiri educational system in Northern Nigeria.
He commended the graduates for their dedication and perseverance, urging them to utilize their newly acquired skills to create a sustainable future for themselves.
Speaking at the event, the Director General, Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Engr. Dr Abubakar Gambo Umar, expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for witnessing the successful graduation of the students.
He noted that the foundation is committed to continuing the legacy of Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardaunan Sokoto, by promoting self-reliance and skill acquisition among the Almajiri community.
To further support the graduates, the Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Lawal Ibrahim Kankia, Wazirin Kankia, pledged to sponsor 20 of them for advanced tailoring training at Kaduna Polytechnic.
Additionally, Hajiya Maryam Sulu Gambari took a significant step in securing the financial future of the students by opening bank accounts for all trainees. She also gifted 20 of them with ₦25,000 each as a startup fund.
The African Director of the MacArthur Foundation, Dr. Kole Shettima, said the foundation played a crucial role in supporting the initiative, commitment to social development, instrumental in empowering marginalized communities, particularly the Almajiri students.
Speaking on behalf of the foundation, Dr. Shettima reaffirmed MacArthur Foundation’s dedication to fostering education, skill acquisition, and self-reliance across Africa.
“Investing in young people through education and vocational training is one of the most sustainable approaches to poverty alleviation and community development. We believe that by equipping these students with skills, we are giving them the tools they need to build better futures for themselves and contribute meaningfully to society,” he stated.
The event underscored the collective commitment of the government, foundations, and stakeholders towards improving the Almajiri education system and ensuring that students are equipped with the necessary skills to become self-reliant.
The successful graduation of these 40 students marks a positive shift in efforts to blend traditional education with modern vocational training, paving the way for a brighter future for Almajiri students in Kaduna and beyond.
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