The Deputy Secretary, Nigerian supreme council for Islamic affairs (NSCIA), Professor Salisu Shehu has reiterated his commitment to educating women in both western and Islamic knowledge.
Professor Salisu made the indication while recieving members of Partnership to Engage Reform and learn under it’s girls education partnership (GEP),in kano.
According to him, the value of educating a girl, is as good as educating an entire community, which is a major catalyst to the development of a nation.
The deputy secretary, charged philanthropists and the general public, to support girl child education as government had competing demands.
Professor Salisu who doubles as vice chancellor Al Istiqamah University, decried over increasing educational backwardness in the north due to historical and attitudinal factors .
“All hands must be on deck to eradicate poverty as it is the major promoter of societal vices such as poor attendance in school”
Earlier in his remarks,the team leader of girl child education partnership,Dr. Auwal Halilu explained that research conducted by the team discovered that there are many barriers to girl child education.
He maintained that, GEP conducted a town hall meeting in Rogo,Kunchi and Warawa local government areas, to identify and profer lasting solution to problems bedevilling girls education.
“Our advocacy has yielded positive results as the state government had set aside a budget line for girls education”
Also speaking, a member of the committee,Dr Hadiza Sani Gadanya described inadequate funding as a major hindrance to girls education
She maintained that GEP was committed to ensuring enrollment, retention, transition and completion of girls education.
” We can’t move forward without alinging ourselves with people that are islamically oriented”
The girl child education partnership GEP was established by Kano state commissioner for education, which consists of citizens groups,media and government officials to identify major setbacks to girls education and profer lasting solutions.
KHADIJAH ALIYU/KANO