By Inusa Ndahi, Maiduguri
THE North East Development Commission (NEDC) in collaboration with Nigeria Arabic Language Village (NALV) have concluded the two- Week Train- The- Trainer Workshop for 600 Tsangaya and Islamiyya Teachers across the North East geopolitical zone.
Themed: ‘Modern Technics of Teaching Arabic for Peace Building: Integration of Arabic Calligraphy’, was apt and timely considering the renewed Boko Haram attacks in the region, as participants are expected to scale down the training to their communities and Tsangaya school children with good knowledge and skills acquired to make them economically self reliant.
Declaring the workshop closed at the Conference Hall of NALV in Maiduguri on Saturday, the Managing Director of NEDC, Alhaji Goni Alkali said the initiative marks a bold and pragmatic step toward addressing one of the most pressing educational challenges confronting the region, especially the issue of Out-of-School Children.
He noted that the Commission under his leadership would continue to give it’s full support towards training and retraining of Tsangaya and Islamiya Teachers in order to discourage Boko Haram ideologies that have polluted the minds of youths for being initiated into the group by perpetrating evil against the practice of Western Education.
“This workshop, jointly organised by the Nigeria Arabic Language Village and the North East Development Commission, is a shining example of what productive partnerships between institutions can achieve when they are driven by a shared vision of national development and human capital advancement.
“The NEDC would continue to give it’s maximum support to NALV for training and retraining of our Tsangaya and Islamiya teachers. We shall ensure that all participants who have been equipped with vast knowledge and skills are given starter packs to become economically self reliant as they continue spreading Gospel of Allah to the society.
“This is very important because when we use the lessons learnt, it will discourage Boko Haram ideologies that have polluted the minds of some of our youths for being initiated into the terror group by perpetrating evil against the practice of Western Education”. Goni stated.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director of NALV, Professor Ibrahim Muhammad appreciated NEDC for giving them the mandate to train the teachers, which according to him: “By deepening our teachers’ understanding of the Arabic Language, especially in the critical areas of grammatical rules and phonological accuracy, this training seeks to prevent the misapplication and misinterpretation of Arabic grammar that can sometimes lead to doctrinal confusion or misunderstanding”.
Professor Muhammad acknowledged the unwavering commitment and giant strides of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in repositioning the Nigerian
education system in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He also praised Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Ümara Zulum, for his tireless efforts in revolutionising education in Borno and for his solid support toward the success of the programme.
“I also wish to express our gratitude to His Eminence, The Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar Ibn Garbai El-Kanemi,
and the revered traditional rulers of the region, whose support and endorsement have provided the moral and cultural legitimacy needed for this programme to thrive in our communities”. The Minister stated.
In their goodwill messages, representatives of the Shehu of Borno, Shehu of Bama and that of Dikwa, Terab Kyari Sandra, Kaka Mallam Kaigama and Kaigama Bakura, all commend the Nigeria Arabic Language Village for its consistent pursuit of excellence in Arabic language teaching and for its role as a national model in specialized language education.
They equally extend their gratitude to the North East Development Commission for its unwavering support in driving forward educational and developmental projects across the region.
Mallam Ismail Adam and Mallam Ali In Hassan who spoke on behalf of other beneficiaries pledged to cascade the training down to their pupils, even as they said, apart from the teachings, they have also learnt many skills in the area of producing soaps, perfumes, liquid detergents and many other items which would add to their economic successes.
