Gombe gov hosts over 300 Alarammas, Tsangaya pupils, Qur’anic scholars to iftar
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has hosted over 300 members of Jama’atu Haffazul Qur’an Wal Ilim, comprising of Alarammas, Almajiris (tsangaya pupils) and other great custodians of Tsangaya schools to a fast breaking (iftar) at the New Banquet Hall, Government House, Gombe.
Speaking during the iftar session, the governor, who was overwhelmed by joy, thanked the custodians of the Tsangaya schools for honoring his invitation despite the short notice given.
He said in consonance with the ideals of democracy and good governance, his doors were open for all categories of people.
“During our campaign, we promised to run an all-inclusive government and today, you are witnesses that we fulfilled that promise. We have invited you the way we did to other top government officials and dignitaries.
“Our doors are open for all, we don’t show any form of discrimination. You elected us to serve you and that is exactly what we are doing”, he added.
He promised to give equal treatment to all citizens of the state irrespective of religion, tribe or social class.
“When our sons were repatriated from other states during the coronavirus pandemic, we welcomed and accommodated, took good care of them to make them feel at home. They are our own children and we could not abandon them”, the governor said.
He urged the tsangaya teachers to support the government policy of incorporating western education into the tsangaya system.
This, according to him, will enable them to participate in national issues, citing himself and the current Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, as concrete examples.
“When we were young, we used to attend both western and tsangaya schools altogether. The school was about three kilometers away, but every day, we had to trek that distance.
“When you combine the two, you achieve a lot in life - you can become ministers, governors or even president. It is possible and achievable”, he added.
The governor maintained that without the support and cooperation of the tsangaya teachers and their students, good policies like the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) would not have been successful in the state.
He therefore sought more prayers and support from the attendees for the success of his administration and for peace to reign in the country.
Speaking on behalf of all the attendees, Chairman, Jama’atu Haffazul Qur’an Wal Ilim, Goni Muhammad Sadisu Mai Babban Allo, thanked Governor Yahaya for considering them in the series of this Ramadan iftar.
He said that was the first time they were honoured to break fast with a sitting governor.
He stressed: “It is a great honor and a show of respect to Qur’an and its people”.
He commended the governor for building about 25 tsangaya schools across the state for the welfare of tsangaya teachers and their pupils.
He said this had helped in creating conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning.
“We equally thank you for introducing BESDA programme. Many of our Alarammas are benefiting from the monthly allowance and our students can now read and write in English and have also learnt some basic arithmetics.
“His Excellency is also building a structure that could be the largest tsangaya in the whole of Nigeria. We are indeed elated”, he remarked.
In his goodwill message, the spokesperson of the organization, Goni Murtala Musa, praised the concern of Governor Yahaya for tsangaya people.
He said, “When others were disowning us, chasing us away, governor Inuwa has embraced us and showed us love and respect”.
He therefore called on all members to reciprocate the gesture by supporting the good policies of Yahaya’s administration for more dividends of democracy to the people.
The attendees were given sallah packages with each going home with yards of brocade and cash as sallah gifts from the governor.
The iftar session was graced by attendees from attendees from all the eleven local government areas of Gombe State.
Also in attendance was Deputy Governor Manassah Daniel Jatau, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi; the Chief of Staff, Government House, Alh. Abubakar Inuwa Kari; Hon. Victor Mela Dan Zariya, member Representing Balanga/ Billiri Federal Constituency; an APC stalwart, Alhaji Abubakar Habu Mu’azu, among others.
Qur’anic recitation and prayers were offered during the session for peace and prosperity of the state and the country.