By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar | Katsina Times | February 26, 2025

In a bid to revitalize adult education in Katsina State, a delegation from the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC), in collaboration with the Katsina State Agency for Mass Education, visited the Daura Emirate on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.

The delegation, led by NMEC's Northwest Zonal Coordinator, Alhaji Yusuf Abdulkadir Aliyu, and the Executive Director of the Katsina State Mass Education Agency, Hajiya Bilkisu Muhammad Kaikai, aimed to strengthen literacy programs and distribute educational materials to schools.

The visit aligns with the Katsina State Government’s initiative under Governor Malam Dikko Umar Radda, PhD, to expand mass education programs across all districts and local government areas.

Speaking during the visit, Alhaji Yusuf Abdulkadir Aliyu emphasized NMEC’s role in formulating adult education policies and ensuring their implementation at state and local levels.

"Our task is to develop policies and pass them down to states, which then work with local governments to implement them. This structure ensures education reaches even the most remote areas," he said.

Hajiya Bilkisu Muhammad Kaikai reiterated the state government’s commitment to tackling illiteracy and unemployment, citing them as key factors contributing to insecurity.

"Governor Radda is fully committed to eradicating illiteracy and joblessness. Educating the population from the grassroots level helps them differentiate between right and wrong. Our focus is not only on Western education but also on religious studies and vocational training to promote self-reliance," she stated.

She urged the Daura Emirate to support the establishment of educational centers within palaces and district heads’ residences. She also called on politicians and wealthy individuals to donate vocational training materials such as sewing machines and weaving tools to enhance the program.

In response, the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruq Umar Faruq CON, reaffirmed his full support for the initiative, highlighting the emirate’s longstanding commitment to literacy since 1955.

"I personally started working on adult literacy in 1955, overseeing literacy programs in Daura. I served in Zango Local Government under Shehu Kafin Dangi, the British colonial administrator overseeing Katsina before the state's creation," he recalled.

The Emir noted that adult literacy teachers in the past earned competitive salaries, making the profession highly respected.

"In our time, we received 18 shillings per month, which was higher than the salaries of many senior officials. Additionally, every village in Daura Emirate had literacy boards, and I introduced a policy mandating attendance at adult education schools—failure to comply led to penalties," he added.

He also cited the "Takobin Himma" (Sword of Determination) competition, which awarded the district head with the best literacy efforts during the annual Gani Festival. His late father consistently won the award due to his dedication to education in Daura Emirate.

As part of the visit, Hajiya Bilkisu Kaikai inspected adult education and vocational training centers in Daura and Mashi Local Government Areas to assess challenges.

In Daura, she identified various issues affecting schools and pledged to address them. In Mashi, it was discovered that teachers lacked a permanent school building and operated from borrowed facilities. However, the Mashi Local Government Chairman allocated land within the council secretariat for the construction of a permanent adult education center.

Among the officials who participated in the visit were Alhaji Yusuf Abdulkadir Aliyu (NMEC official), Malam Jafar Abubakar, Mr. Tyungu Terseer G, Hajiya Bilkisu Muhammad Kaikai (Executive Director, Katsina State Mass Education Agency), Hassan Ummaru (DPRS), Murja Ahmad Sa’i, Amina Audu Fari, Bilkisu Abdullahi Yusuf, Binta Balan Gwaggwo, Hadiza Ahmed, Bilkisu Ado Shinkafi, Shafiu Sani, Lawal Taro Abubakar, Ahmad Muhammad, and Aminu Muhammad.

The visit underscores ongoing efforts to revamp adult education in Katsina State. Through collaboration between traditional institutions, government agencies, and local communities, the initiative aims to reduce illiteracy and unemployment while fostering skill development across the state.