Almajiri: Mutfwang urges Northern leaders to prioritise education
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has urged Northern leaders to make education a priority in tackling the Almajiri system, which he described as a threat to the economic and human development of the region.
Mutfwang made the call on Saturday in Demsa, Adamawa State, while speaking at the 70th birthday celebration of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and the unveiling of library and administrative blocks at the Lutheran University of Nigeria, Demsa, constructed by the former SGF.
The governor, who chaired the occasion, said education remained a major instrument for promoting peace, development and economic prosperity, stressing that addressing the challenges associated with the Almajiri system required the commitment of Northern leaders.
He said, “To address the Almajiri system, it must take the commitment of Northern leaders to promote education and tackle the Almajiri problem, which is against economic and human development.”
Mutfwang also noted the role of the church in promoting education and societal development, recalling that the late Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, supported the establishment of churches because of their contribution to education and community development.
“Late Tafawa Balewa established a church because he knew that the church propagated education, and through education, society thrives, peace and economic development take place in communities,” he said.
The governor commended Mustapha for using his personal resources to construct the library and administrative blocks at the university, describing education as a pillar of peace and development.
Mutfwang noted that the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN) was the third member of the TEKAN bloc to establish a university, after NKST and COCIN.
“This is a confirmation that the church believes in knowledge for development and peace in society,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, commended Mustapha for his commitment to the development of education and human capital in the state.
Fintiri said Mustapha could have invested the money in personal projects, including housing estates, but chose to use his resources to promote education.
“Boss Mustapha would have used this money to build housing estates for himself, but for his love for humanity, he used the resources to build library and administrative blocks for the promotion of education in the country,” he said.
Fintiri urged other accomplished sons and daughters of Adamawa State to emulate Mustapha, stressing that investment in education was an investment in human development.
The governor said his administration had given special attention to the education sector as part of efforts to promote peace and human development in the state.
Poverty and insecurity can best be defeated with the weapon of education and not bullets,” he said.
In his welcome address, Mustapha said his desire to contribute to the development of education in Nigeria motivated him to undertake the project.
He described education as an important tool for promoting peace, unity and national development.
Mustapha, who commissioned the projects as part of activities marking his 70th birthday, urged Nigerians who had been blessed with resources to give back to society.
“Today (Saturday) I clock 70 years. It is not my making, but by the grace of my Creator, God, so I must thank my Creator for His mercy on me,” he said.