Gbajabiamila’s aides enrol 100 pupils into schools in Daura Emirate

Tom Okpe, Abuja

Political aides to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep Femi Gbajabiamila, have enrolled 100 pupils into various primary schools in the Daura Emirate of Katsina State.

The Speaker’s aides, under the umbrella of Gbaja Professionals Volunteer Network, carried out the gesture as part of efforts, imbibing their principal’s habit of giving back to the society.

According to a statement by Lanre Lasisi, Media Assistant to the speaker in Abuja on Friday, the
network, formed in September 2019, had organized similar interventions in Surulere, Lagos State, where thousands of students benefitted and recently, did the same in commemoration of the Speaker’s 59th birthday where 38 out-of-school children among, people with disabilities were enrolled into school at Karmajiji area of Abuja, among other outreach programmes.

Speaking at the occasion, which took place in Daura, the Chief of Staff to the Speaker, Alhaji Sanusi Garba Rikiji, said the enrollment was in line with Gbajabiamila’s vision of empowering the people in the area of education.

He said: “This is timely at this critical time of our nationhood with challenges of sending children to school. The Speaker is a strong believer in one Nigeria and a highly patriotic man. The Gbaja Professionals have touched Nigerians at different locations.

“Today’s event is one of the laudable projects of the group, and it will not be the last in Daura as we shall continue to do more.

“I urge the pupils to pay attention to their studies. Their parents should also pay attention to the students, seeing that mechanisms have put in place to monitor their studies for possible rewards.”

In his remarks, the Katsina State Commissioner of Women Affairs, Hajiya Rabiat Muhammad Daura, representing the governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, said government alone could not take care of the people’s needs calling on other Nigerians to emulate the Speakers’ gesture.

The Housemember, representing Daura/Mai-Adua/Sandamu Federal Constituency, Rep Fatuhu Mohamned, represented by Alhaji Aliyu Haruna, thanked the Speaker for the love he has been showing the people of Daura.

He noted with delight how the Speaker visited Daura last year to commission some projects sponsored by the lawmaker, expressing appreciation to the Speaker for creating enabling environment for his aides to organize such a laudable programme in Daura Emirate.

On his part, the National Coordinator of Gbaja Professionals, Alhaji Lukman Lawal, who is the Special Assistant on Budget and Finance to the Speaker, emphasized the importance of education in the lives of children, whom he described as leaders of tomorrow.

He said the Speaker attaches high premium to education, as such, his aides have keyed into his vision and decided to organize the programme in Daura Emirate to ensure that out-of-school children have adequate access to education.

In a goodwill message, the Emir of Daura, Alhaji (Dr) Umar Farouk Umar, expressed appreciation to the Speaker for the gesture, which he said would go a long way in addressing the issue of out-of-school children in the emirate.

“We thank the Speaker for this gesture. All our representatives have been doing their best for our people. We thank you for this, Mr Speaker. We won’t hesitate to ask for more so that more of our children will be in school. We need more of your assistance in the area of education,” the Emir noted.

There were goodwill messages from different personalities at the event including the director of finance and administration in Daura Local Government, Alhaji Lawal Samaila Doro, who said the people of Daura would never forget the gesture.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of school bags, books and writing materials to the pupils, all of whom were adorned with their new school uniforms, sandals and white socks to match.

The delegation later paid homage to the Emir of Daura, Alhaji (Dr) Farouk Umar Farouk at his palace. The emir thanked and blessed the Speaker for the gesture, promising to, personally inform President Muhammadu Buhari about the gesture.