By Editor
The Kebbi State Government has reaffirmed its dedication to enhancing education, with a focus on Islamic studies, in the state.
The State Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, gave the assurance during the closing ceremony of the 35th Annual State Quranic Recitation Competition held at Presidential Lodge, Birnin Kebbi, on Tuesday.
Emphasizing the importance of the Quran as a guide to all Muslims, the Deputy Governor tasked competitors to know that memorizing the Quran wasn’t enough, it must reflect in their daily behaviours.
He said the Kauran Gwandu-led administration prioritizes religious affairs by establishing a Ministry for religious affairs and increasing allowances for imams and mu’azzims.
In keeping with its mandate, the Deputy Governor announced that the Quranic Competition in the State would henceforth be jointly handled by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and that of Basic Education.
He emphasize the competition’s importance in enhancing memorization, tafsir, and qira’at of the holy Quran among students.
Senator Umar Tafida prayed for the success of the competitors at the national level, urging them to be good ambassadors and demonstrate good behavior while representing the state. He acknowledged the efforts of the Islamic teachers and Arabic Board towards preparing students for the competition’s success, from ward to state level.
The Deputy Governor commended traditional rulers, clerics, and students for their constant prayers for the nation’s peaceful coexistence. He called on parents to ensure moral upbringing of their children and focus on both Islamic and western education to reduce out-of-school children.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education Dr. Halima Muhammad Bande said the competition started at the ward, local government, and emirate levels, with winners representing the state at national level.
She explained that the competition began at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto in 1985 to encourage Quranic recitation.
In a vote of thanks on behalf of the Organizing Committee, the Kundudan Kabi, Alhaji Hassan Ibrahim Kwaido, thanked the state government, led by Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris Kauran Gwandu, for supporting the competition. He commended teachers, judges, and competitors for their dedication.
The state overall winners of the Competition in the Qira’at category are Hafiz Mustafa Muhammad from Jega and Hafiza Aisha Lawal Baiti from Birnin Kebbi Local Government.
Dignitaries made numerous donations including the Deputy Governor donated N2 million to the competition judges, Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, N1 million for those participated, but not win, Commissioner for work, N500,000 for two overall winners.
Other donors are Member representing Shanga Constituency, Hon. Muhammad Tukur, and Personal Assistant to Deputy Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Ahmed, who donated N100,000 each to two overall winners, among others.
Highlights included award presentations, include Quranic recitations by the winners and their turbaning, as well as distribution of prizes.
This is contained in a statement Signed by Murtala M. Gotomo, Press Secretary to Deputy Governor’s Office, and made available to Newsmen on Tuesday