Yobe Organises 36th Qur’anic Competition, Reaffirms Commitment To Dual Education Policy

Yobe State Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting Islamic and Arabic education alongside conventional education, describing the integration as essential to raising knowledgeable, disciplined and responsible citizens.

A statement issued by the Media Coordinator/Liaison Office of the SSG Ibrahim Baba Saleh said Buni stated this in Damaturu at the closing ceremony of the 36th Annual Qur’anic Recitation Competition (Musabaqah), organised by the Yobe State Arabic and Islamic Education Board.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Mohammed Goje, the Governor described the annual competition as a platform for nurturing knowledge, discipline, good character and moral values needed for peaceful and responsible societies.

He said his administration recognises education as a tool for developing both knowledge and character, hence its sustained support for Islamic and Arabic education as an integral part of the state’s educational development agenda.

“Yobe State Government remains committed to promoting Islamic and Arabic education alongside conventional education and ensuring that our young people are equipped with the knowledge, skills and moral foundation required to become responsible and productive citizens,” he said.

The Governor noted that the teachings of the Holy Qur’an on justice, compassion, honesty, patience, peaceful coexistence and responsibility remained vital to the development, stability and progress of the state.

He assured that the government would continue to invest in educational and religious institutions, support Qur’anic and Islamic scholarship, strengthen teachers’ capacity and create opportunities for young people to acquire both religious and contemporary knowledge.

Buni also emphasised the importance of collaboration with Islamic scholars, traditional institutions, parents and communities in promoting moderation, tolerance, unity and proper understanding of the Islamic faith, particularly among young people.

Congratulating the winners, he urged them to regard their success as a responsibility to remain worthy ambassadors of the Holy Qur’an, while commending all participants for their dedication to memorisation, recitation and understanding of the Qur’an.

The Governor also commended the Yobe State Arabic and Islamic Education Board, Ministries of Religious Affairs and Basic and Secondary Education, Islamic scholars, teachers, judges and other stakeholders for the successful organisation of the 36th edition.

In the competition, Abubakar Usman from Potiskum emerged overall winner in the male category, while Amina Sa’idu Haruna from Nangere clinched the female category.

Both winners received cash prizes of N500,000 each, with the male winner additionally receiving a deep freezer and the female winner a tailoring machine.

In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Arabic and Islamic Education Board, Malam Umar Mohammed, disclosed that 154 participants took part in the five-day competition.

He said the successful conclusion of the 36th Musabaqah demonstrated the state government’s commitment to nurturing Qur’anic excellence, encouraging young reciters and strengthening Arabic and Islamic education.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Associate Professor Idriss Adam, highlighted Governor Buni’s holistic approach to education, noting that investments in both conventional and Islamic education were designed to provide young people with broad-based learning opportunities.

He added that the establishment of Mai Mala Buni Integrated College would further expand access to quality conventional and Islamic education in the state.

The closing ceremony was attended by the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Alhaji Yusuf Umar; the Emir of Damaturu, Alhaji Shehu Hashimi II Ibn Umar Al-Amin Elkanemi; the Emir of Machina, Alhaji Bashir Albishir Bukar; and the Emir of Jajere, Alhaji Mai Hamza Ibn Buba Isa Mashio.

Also in attendance were government officials, heads of security agencies, Islamic scholars, traditional rulers, parents, teachers and other stakeholders.