From Haruna Usman, Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has commended the Zoromawa Development Association (ZODA), for according top priority to education as a panacea for societal development.
Bagudu asserted that the aims and objectives of the community Association which were founded on the basis of unity, development, and promotion of the educational status of its members, needed to be supported.
The Governor made the commendation on Sunday at the launching of the ZODA Educational Endowment Fund, Almanac, and Award Presentation Ceremony which took place at the Presidential Banquet Hall, Birnin Kebbi
Bagudu acknowledged the priority accorded to Education by the association as apt and in line with his administration’s fundamental agenda for prioritizing education to all segments of the society.
He lauded the leadership of the association for coming up with the initiative, to launch an endowment fund, to promote the pursuit of knowledge by youths, even as the society has been bedeviled by a myriad of challenges, particularly drug addiction by youths.
“It is important to counsel and support the youths to acquire quality education towards attaining a prosperous society,” he averred.
While calling on other associations to emulate the ZODA initiative, he thanked the Emir of Gwandu, leaders of the Association, and all those who made donations, to ensure the success of the event.
He promised to consult the leaders of the association, to determine what Kebbi State Government would donate towards meeting the required target.
In his remarks, the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar, also commended ZODA for promoting education, peace, and unity amongst its members and people in general.
He appreciated Governor Bagudu for his unwavering moral and material support to groups and associations, geared towards uplifting the living standard of people in the state.
The Royal Father also appealed to the people to obey constituted authorities, respect leaders, as well as co-exist peacefully with different tribes.
Alhaji Bello Ibrahim Nahaliku, the Amirun Zoramawa, who is the Grand Patron of the Association narrated its historical background.
He also acknowledged the presence of the Governor and that of the Emir as a great impetus to the association’s mission and vision.
Amirun Zoramawa thanked all those who donated to the endowment fund of the association.
The Chief launcher, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, Barrister Hassan Bello, the Governing Council of the Nigerian Shippers Council and Yobe State Government, also donated Ten Million naira each, while the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, made a personal donation of two million Naira, among others.
A total of (N62,474,110), Sixty-two million, four hundred and seventy-four thousand, one hundred and ten Naira were realized at the launching.
