NO fewer than 830 students sponsored by former Kano State Governor and former Senator representing Kano Central, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, have graduated with the National Certificate in Education (NCE) from the Community College of Education, Kano, in a major boost to teacher education and human capital development in the state.
News Point Nigeria reports that the certificates were presented to the graduates on Saturday during a ceremony held at the Conference Hall of the School for Arabic Studies (SAS), Kano, marking the successful completion of a scholarship programme initiated by Shekarau in 2022 while serving in the National Assembly.
Shekarau’s spokesman, Professor Sule Ya’u Sule, disclosed in a statement that the scholarship scheme was designed to expand access to teacher education for young people across Kano Central Senatorial District.
According to him, the programme covered students from the 15 local government areas that make up the senatorial district, with 50 beneficiaries selected from each council, amounting to 750 students.
He explained that Shekarau also extended the intervention to 100 additional students of the Community College of Education who were unable to pay their tuition fees, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 850.
Out of the sponsored students, 830 successfully completed their studies and received their certificates, while 15 recorded carry-over courses and five discontinued the programme.
Professor Sule said Shekarau expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the initiative and reiterated his commitment to sustaining the scholarship programme to enable more young people to access quality education.
He noted that the graduation comes at a strategic time as the Kano State Government is preparing to recruit teachers, expressing optimism that many of the graduates would benefit from the anticipated employment exercise.
Also speaking at the event, Kano State Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, represented by Murtala Sule Garo, commended Shekarau for investing in education and human capital development.
According to Professor Sule, the Deputy Governor pledged to discuss with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf the possibility of creating employment opportunities for some of the newly graduated NCE holders.
The graduation ceremony attracted prominent personalities, including the Member representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, the Chief Imam of Kano, Professor Muhammad Sani Zahradeen, as well as other political, religious and community leaders.
The scholarship initiative has been widely hailed as one of Shekarau’s enduring educational interventions, reflecting his longstanding commitment to expanding access to education and strengthening the supply of qualified teachers in Kano State.
